Report & Results: 2017 Holme Valley Contest

Thurlstone Band make a half century return at Holme Valley as Hade Edge and Skelanthorpe Prospect also head home with lots of prizes and cash.

Holmfirth Civic Hall recently played host to the 91st Holme Valley Contest, where Hade Edge under Jonathan Beatty delivered a fine rendition of Edward Gregson's 'Of Distant Memories' to take the test-piece honours, the £500 first prize and The Groom Cup trophy.

In addition the band will now be able to use the services of a Rath Trombone artist for a future concert engagement, whilst euphonium and flugel players, David Smith and Joel Kirk, plus the bass section added to the celebrations by taking well-deserved individual honours. Stannington Brass was second with City of Bradford third.

Delighted

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "We were delighted. It's a great contest and a little bit different as there are two very separate parts. To win on such a difficult test-piece and receive excellent remarks from David Hirst gives us a great boost, and it was made an even better day with the solo awards and the playing of our brilliant B Band under Gary Perrin."

The honours were reversed in the separate Hymn Tune element, where City of Bradford's rendition of 'Mozart' claimed the £50 first prize.

The band's MD Lee Skipsey took the Albert Robinson Trophy as the outstanding conductor after his band gained the highest aggregate points over both disciplines.

Section B win for Skelmanthorpe Propect

In Section B there was a victory for Skelmanthorpe Prospect, as they took home a healthy prize package of £450 plus the Beever Shield and Harry Haigh Rose Bowl for topping both elements of the event. Their euphonium player, plus conductor Phil Garlick, also picked up individual awards.

Crofton Silver and Whitworth Vale & Healey took the other podium spots as well as individual awards for 'Best' trombone and percussion.

Half century return for Thurlstone

Meanwhile, there was a wonderful return to the contest stage for Thurlstone Band (above) in Section C, as they picked up their first test-piece contest award in nearly half a century.

Formed in 1854, their performance of 'A British Isles Suite' saw them claim the York Traction & Honely Band Memorial Trophy and £350 in prize money, with MD Graham Bates telling 4BR: "It's 14 years since I took over here and it's been a long journey.

Through the hard work and dedication of everyone involved we've now grown into a band with over 30 regular members, fantastic community links and a great social life. It was so good to read David Hirst's remarks that highlighted our individual soloists, the musical approach and our great percussion section."

Pro-active approach

Under the baton of John Hopkinson, the band's young flugel player Josh Bailey claimed the 'Best Soloist' award with the even younger Claudia Bowen taking the 'Youngest Player' accolade.

Although they have achieved prize winning success at various entertainment events, this was a first on the test-piece stage. The band has also taken a very pro-active approach to encouraging young members to develop with many going on the play with the Yorkshire Youth Band and National Youth Band of Great Britain.

Meanwhile, there was a wonderful return to the contest stage for Thurlstone Band in Section C, as they picked up their first test-piece contest award in nearly half a century4BR.

Results:

Section A:

Test Piece:
Adjudicator: David Hirst

1. Hade Edge (Jonathan Beatty) — 86
2. Stannington Brass (Derek Renshaw) — 85
3. City of Bradford (Lee Skipsey) — 84
4. Meltham & Meltham Mills (Tim Sidwell) — 83

Hymn Tune:
1. City of Bradford — 84
2. Stannington Brass — 82
3. Hade Edge — 81
4. Meltham & Meltham Mills — 80

Outstanding Euphonium: David Smith (Hade Edge)
Outstanding Bass Section: Hade Edge
Outstanding Soloist of the Contest: Joel Kirk (flugel) — Hade Edge
Outstanding Conductor: Lee Skipsey (City of Bradford)

Section B:

Test Piece:
1. Skelmanthorpe Prospect (Phil Garlick) — 85
2. Crofton Silver (Dean Jones) — 84
3. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Chris Binns) — 83
4. Slaithwaite (Rob Westacott) — 81

Hymn Tune:
1. Skelmanthorpe Prospect -84
2. Crofton Silver — 83
3. Whitworth Vale & Healey — 82
4. Slaithwaite — 81

Outstanding Euphonium: Skelmanthorpe Prospect
Outstanding Trombone Section: Crofton
Best Percussion: Whitworth Vale & Healey
Outstanding Conductor: Skelmanthorpe