The most stylish title winning success of the Cheltenham weekend certainly came with Barnsley Brass in the Third Section on Sunday afternoon.

And it was nothing to do with conductor William Rushworth sporting a remarkably trendy shirt on stage either (although it must have cost a few bob) — but all to do with the way in which the Yorkshireman fashioned such a wonderful performance of Gareth Churcher's 'Episodes for Brass' test-piece from his band.

Label of distinction

To be the "clear winner"as adjudicator Roger Webster told the audience before the announcement of the results was a label of distinction that marked out the worthiest of champions.

The Barnsley MD elicited a refined piece of musical tailoring on what was an engaging work (the composer later telling 4BR how much he enjoyed the different interpretations on offer) — one that also enabled rival conductors in the 18 band field to stitch together accounts of technical solidity and notable musical substance.

Dronfield Genquip and Market Rasen ran Barnsley closest with their purposeful efforts, with Newmains & District, Barton Community and Allerton filling the remaining top-six slots.

Roger (who was joined in the box by John Doyle and Sheona White) may have spoken with a dry wit when he said, "…some conductors were more successful than others", in their 'assiduous' contest preparation, but he was deadly serious when he added that "…the winner and a couple of others portrayed the musical imagery with perfect sense,"that when they heard them they "came as a bit of an epiphany."

Stood out

He later confirmed to 4BR that it was the way in which Barnsley had approached each of the movements in such a tempered musical manner that stood out.

"We all agreed in the box,"he added. "The music had time and space to settle and it sounded at ease. It was a very fine performance — the clear winner."

His remarks backed up judge's immediate written observations: "A show of class — soloists super, balance, style, sound, dynamics — all excellent. This band deserves to be in the section above. Thank you — a different piece", wrote John Doyle.

"Some excellent playing and really musical"added Sheona White, whilst Roger simple noted: "This is so convincing. A great performance that was a demonstration of G.C's (Gareth Churcher) piece!"

Late surge

With those type of compliments to back up the band off the number 8 draw it was always going to be hard for rivals to pip them in the battle for the title — although there were some fine efforts in the judge's opinion — especially from the late draw surge of fellow Yorkshire representatives Dronfield Genquip and the early marker of Market Rasen.

These were the 'couple' Roger spoke about; the nerveless confidence of the main solo lines balanced in ensemble dynamic and tonality under Damien Wileman and David Dernley's intelligent direction.

A huge amount of credit also applied to Michael Marzella as he led last year's Fourth Section National champion Newmains & District onto fourth place as the last band of the contest, as well as the bold, well-led renditions from Barton Community and Allerton under Garry Oglesby and Adam Taylor.

Splash of excitement

Just behind them came a batch of accounts that held the promise of a podium finish or even better, but were undermined by increasingly damaging minor error counts, as players strove to create a splash of excitement when more muted tonality was perhaps required to colour the musical cloth.

Even further down the results sheet though there were performances of impressive merit as the bands were able to play to their strengths (Roger Webster noting the quality of the soprano playing) on a well chosen test-piece.

What stood out most with the winner though was the sense refinement created in the opening 'Fanfare and Bells of Celebration' section — as William Rushworth took a notch off the pace and dynamic to introduce a Barnsley wedding march of Waltonesque poise.

The touching tenderness of the central 'Solenne' (played well by many bands on the day) also stood out, so by the time it came to finale, the light prod on the accelerator (marked 156 +) was obvious but not frenetic.

After the pictures were taken on stage with the trophy, it took a little to finally catch up with the winning MD as he enjoyed the beginnings of what would have surely been celebrations as colourful as his now famous shirt.

Deserved

It was also a victory that meant a great deal to a musician who hails from one of the most notable families in Yorkshire banding history.

"I never go in for the results,"William said. "I knew the band had played so well and did everything that I asked of them, so if they won they deserved to enjoy the moment first.

It was such an interesting piece to work on and I felt that if we concentrated on the style the music would speak for itself. Just taking a bit off the tempo to open made it more regal for me and allowed us to up the pace without losing control in the finale.

The middle section is such beautiful writing; but it needed to have movement as it allowed the soloists time to play with expression (their euphonium player Barry Clegg, aged 67, took the 'Best Instrumentalist' much to the delight of his father who joined in the celebrations). I think that was the key today — all of them on stage were superb."

And what did it meant to add to that famous family banding heritage that includes two former principal cornet players of Black Dyke (William was himself an acclaimed solo horn with the band).

"I think they would be proud of a Rushworth making a mark with the baton in his hand, and it means a great deal to be able to share it with my family ", he said as his young son proudly held the National Trophy in his grasp for a photograph.

"Although I'm not too sure what they would have thought of the shirt!"

Iwan Fox

I never go in for the results. I knew the band had played so well and did everything that I asked of them, so if they won they deserved to enjoy the moment first.Barnsley MD, William Rushworth

Result:

Test Piece: Episodes for Brass (Gareth Churcher)
Adjudicators: John Doyle, Roger Webster & Sheona White

1. Barnsley Brass (William Rushworth)
2. Dronfield Genquip (Damian Wileman)
3. Market Rasen (David Dernley)
4. Newmains & District (Michael Marzella)
5. Barton Community (Garry Oglesby)
6. Allerton Brass (Adam Taylor)
7. Taff Vale Brass (Gareth Ritter)
8. Selkirk Silver (Stuart Black)
9. Usk (James Jones)
10. City of Norwich Brass (Mark Ager)
11. Hatherleigh Silver (Matt Green
12. Bugle Silver (Steve Osborne)
13. Audley Brass (Tom Hancock)
14. Eccleston Brass (John Wood)
15. Knaresborough Silver (Nicholas Garrett)
16. Weymouth Concert Brass (Adam Glynn)
17. Cleobury Mortimer Concert Brass (David Maplestone)
18. Chichester City (Rom Stanko)

Best Instrumentalist: Euphonium, Barnsley Brass