Milnrow headed the list of prize winners at the recent Rochdale contest with a fine reprise of the National Finals set-work, 'Gallery', to claim the Charles Fradley Memorial Trophy and £450 first prize ahead of rivals Derwent Brass.
Although only two bands took to the stage in the top section, MD, Mark Bentham drew an impressively focused high quality account from his charges, with their outstanding soprano player Chris Musgrave picking up the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.
Milnrow also added the Matthew Densfield Memorial Trophy for Best Percussion in the top two sections. Derwent Brass also displayed a great deal of quality in their performance of 'Spiriti'.
First Section:
In the First Section, Marsden Silver carried on their excellent 2017 form with a fine account of Philip Sparke's 'A London Overture' to secure victory. The Yorkshire Area champion's experienced principal cornet Jason Evans took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.
Runner-up was Oldham (Lees) with their rendition of 'Dances & Alleluias', with Silk Brass in third playing 'The Essence of Time'.
Second Section:
Horwich RMI gained an excellent maiden victory under MD Matt Ryan in the Second Section, thanks to their warmly portrayed rendition of 'Variations for Brass Band' aided by 'Best Instrumentalist' award winner Eddie Hill on soprano.
Middleton's solidly portrayed 'Renaissance' claimed second place, with Pemberton Old DW Wigan B in third with their performance of 'Labour & Love'.
Third Section:
Ifton Colliery also carried on their recent good form, as the Bolsover Festival winner took the honours in the Third Section with their reprise rendition of 'Renaissance' under MD, Scott Robert Lloyd. Dobcross Silver was runner-up, with National Fourth Section champion BD1 in third.
Fourth Section:
There was a fine return to contest winning form in the Fourth Section as Blackley under Dan Price claimed victory with a detailed account of 'Three Saints' by Goff Richards.
The band's principal cornet Tom Molyneux took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award. Cadishead Public was second with Parr St Helens in third.
MD, Mark Bentham drew an impressively focused high quality account from his charges, with their outstanding soprano player Chris Musgrave picking up the 'Best Instrumentalist' award4BR
Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Andrew Warriner
1. Milnrow (Mark Bentham)
2. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard)
Highest Placed NWABBA Band: Milnrow
Best Instrumentalist: Chris Musgrave (soprano) — Milnrow
First Section:
Adjudicator: Andrew Warriner
1. Marsden Silver (Alan Widdop)
2. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
3. Silk Brass (Tony Wyatt)
4. Hade Edge (Jonathan Beatty)
5. Freckleton (Tariq Ahmed)
6. Haslingden & Helmshore (N/K)
Highest Placed NWABBA Band: Oldham (Lees)
Best Instrumentalist: Jason Evans (cornet) — Marsden Silver
Second Section:
Adjudicator: Andrew Warriner
1. Horwich RMI (Matt Ryan)
2. Middleton (Kevin Gibbs)
3. Pemberton Old DW Wigan B (Mike Golding)
4. Besses Boys (James Holt)
5. Delph (Jonathan Davies)
6. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Chris Binns)
7. Flixton (Ian Brownbill)
8. Uppermill (Dean Redfern)
9. Golborne Brass (Matt Shaw)
Highest Placed NWABBA Band: Middleton
Best Instrumentalist: Eddie Hill (soprano) — Horwich RMI
Third Section:
Adjudicator: Alan Widdop
1. Ifton Colliery (Scott Robert Lloyd)
2. Dobcross Silver (Grenville Moore)
3. BD1 Brass (Lee Skipsey)
4. Greenfield (Tom Hallam)
5. Littleborough (Adrian Woodhead)
6. Skelmersdale Prize (James Hall)
Highest Placed NWABBA Member Band: Dobcross Silver
Best Instrumentalist: (solo cornet) Dobcross Silver
Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Alan Widdop
1. Blackley (Dan Price)
2. Cadishead Public (David Holland)
3. Parr St Helens (John Ludden)
4. Lostock Hall (Joshua Hughes)
5. Stockport Silver (Alex Parker)
6. Sale Brass (John Dickinson)
7. Denton (Matthew Bailey)
Highest Placed NWABBA Member Band: Blackley
Best instrumentalist: Tom Molyneux (cornet) — Blackley
