There was another highly enjoyable day of excellent music making at the 7th Holme Valley Solo & Ensemble Competition held at the impressive Hade Edge Bandroom, with adjudicator, Alan Morrison, describing them as the 'foundation' of the movement.

High standards

Standards were very high, with tenor horn players Zoe Wright and Patricia Woodings going away with the largest engraving bills, whilst other awards went to debutantes including Hade Edge trombone player Christopher Chung and impressive young Chapeltown cornet player Lucy Heeley.

Alan also expressed how impressed he was with the overall standard of playing but made a point in the 11 & under class which he felt was the closest matched of the day and giving him the most difficult decision to make.

Foundation event

Organiser Graham Bates told 4BR: "Numbers were a little down on last year, but that's not uncommon compared with similar events, and we'd certainly hope to see a few more youngsters next year. As Alan said, it's a great start to building confidence as a player in foundation events such as this.

We had representation from 14 different bands across the North of England and we thank everyone; players, parents, supporters, sponsors and committee for once again making it a superb, friendly day."

Graham announced that next year's event will once again take place at Hade Edge on Saturday 16th June.

We had representation from 14 different bands across the North of England and we thank everyone; players, parents, supporters, sponsors and committee for once again making it a superb, friendly dayOrganiser, Graham Bates

Results:

Slow Melody: 11 & Under

1. Maddie Baxter (Hade Edge B)
2. Claudia Bowen (Thurlstone)

Slow Melody: 14 & Under

1. Lucy Heeley (Chapeltown)
2. Matthew Sykes (Hope Bank Works)
3. Haydn Osborne (Lindley)

Slow Melody: 18 & Under

1. Christopher Chung (Hade Edge)
2. Zoe Wright (Hammonds Saltaire)
3. Ellie Warren (Ashton under Lyne)

Slow Melody: Open

1. Zoe Wright (Hammonds Saltaire)
2. Patricia Woodings (Newhall)
3. Christopher Chung (Hade Edge)

Slow Melody: Veterans

1. Patricia Woodings (Newhall)
2. Davina Holt (Uppermill)
3. John Sheard (Vintage Brass)

Ensemble: Open

1. Chiara Eckersley & Phoebe Collins

Air Varie/Technical:

1. Patricia Woodings (Newhall)
2. Zoe Wright (Hammonds Saltaire)
3. Lucy Heeley (Chapeltown)

Special Awards:

Air Varie / Technical (18 & under): Zoe Wright
Ensemble (18 & under): Chiara Eckersley & Phoebe Collins
Best Cornet/Soprano: Lucy Heeley (14 & under)
Best Horn/Flugel: Zoe Wright (18 & under)
Best Euphonium/Baritone: Matthew Sykes (18 & under)
Best Trombone: Christopher Chung (18 & under)
Outstanding Musical Performance: Davina Holt (Veterans)