There was a great display of musical talent was on show at the recent Leicestershire Brass Band Association annual Solo, Duet & Quartet competition, held at the impressive Loughborough Endowed Schools Campus.

Over 140 performances

The event saw over 140 performances across 19 different sections, including Slow Melody, Air & Variations, Duets and Quartets across a wide range of age groups.

This year the LBBA also introduced three new sections following feedback from member bands; an adult beginners section, an age group section for those over 40, as well as a new duet category 'Mixed Duets' for a teacher and pupil or adult and junior to perform together.

Enjoy

Chairman Steve Plant told 4BR: "We are always looking to respond to the views of our participants and association members. The LBBA always tries to do whatever we can to encourage all players, of any age to take part and enjoy their music making."

In their summing up, adjudicators Martin Heartfield, Sharon Stansfield and Graham Sutton all shared their thoughts on how impressed they were with the performances across all sections.

14 new starters

These included 14 young competitors receiving their 'first contest performance' medal in the 10 years and under category, an initiative of the late Betty Anderson.

Each year the overall LBBA Junior Champion prize is awarded to the highest place performer across all available individual age group sections. This year the Harry Bray Memorial Trophy was awarded to Christopher Oddy of Enderby Youth.

Results:

Overall Junior Champion:

Christopher Oddy (Enderby Youth)

Section A:

Junior Slow Melody 10 and under
1. Millie Davenport (Shirland Training)
2. Abby Bradshaw (Newcroft Primary Academy)
3. Kahlan Preston (Wigston Horizon)

Section B:

Junior Slow Melody 11 & 12 years
1. Ashton Paet (Hathern Youth)
2. Fleur Moakes (Shirland Training)
3. Brady Herring (Hathern Youth)

Section C:

Junior Slow Melody 13,14 & 15 years
1. Christopher Oddy (Enderby Youth)
2. Daniel Garland (Shirland Training)
3. Luke Newborough (Shirland Training)

Section D:

Junior Slow Melody 16, 17 & 18 years
1. Bethan Brown (Jaguar Land Rover)
2. Emily Rushton (Ratby Co-operative)
3. Jack Newborough (Shirland Training)

Section E:

Junior Sight Reading 15 years and under
1. Christopher Oddy (Enderby Youth)
2. Luke Newborough (Shirland Training)
3. Daniel Garland (Shirland Training)

Section F:

Junior Sight Reading 16, 17 & 18 years
1. Jack Newborough (Shirland Training)
2. Hannah Matthews (Leicestershire Co-op)
3. George Baum (Hathern Youth)

Section G:

Junior Air Varie 14 years and under
1. Christopher Oddy (Enderby Youth)
2. Natellie Poulte (Shirland Training)
3. Daniel Garland (Shirland Training)

Section H:

Junior Air Varie 15, 16, 17 & 18 years
1. Bethan Brown (Jaguar Land Rover)
2. Jack Newborough (Shirland Training)
3. Emily Rushton (Ratby Co-operative)

Section I:

Junior Duets 18 years and under
1. Carys Owen & Josie Allen (Enderby Youth)
2. Luke Newborough & Gabrielle Moakes (Shirland Training)
3. Thomas Barham & Hannah Capstack (Leicestershire Co-op)

Section J:

Junior Quartet Hymn Tune 14 years and under
1. Shirland A
2. Enderby Juniors A
3. Shirland D

Section K:

Junior Quartet 18 years and Under
1. Shirland A
2. Shirland B
3. Leicestershire Co-op Training

Section L:

Open Slow Melody
1. Pat Woodings (Newhall)
2. Bethan Brown (Jaguar Land Rover)
3. Mark Smith (Amington)

Section M:

Open Air Varie
1. Bethan Brown (Jaguar Land Rover)
2. Pat Woodings (Newhall)
3. Emily Rushton (Ratby Co-operative)

Section N:

Open Duets
1. Janet Owen & Natellie Poulter (Shirland Training)
2. Colin Davenport & Heather Moakes (Shirland Training)
3. Colin Davenport & Dave Hill (Shirland)

Section O:

Open Quartet
1. Leicestershire Co-op
2. Shirland Training
3. Hathern Basses

Section P:

Open Percussion
1. George Baum (Hathern Youth)
2. Jamie Green (Wigston Enterprise)

Section Q:

Slow Melody — 40 years and over
1. Steve Barham (Leicestershire Co-op)
2. Mark Smith (Amington)
3. Pat Woodings (Newhall)

Section R:

Adult Beginners
1. Janet Owen (Shirland Training)
2. Roger Poulter (Shirland Training)
3. Mark Thirkell (Shirland Training)

Section S:

Mixed Duet
1. Thomas Barham & Steve Barham (Leicestershire Co-op)
2. Emily Capstack & Richard Capstack (Leicestershire Co-op)
3. Georgie Wooding & Liz Barham (Leicestershire Co-op)