On a day of hard fought contest successes Foden's duly claimed their 22nd North West Area title with something to spare at the Winter Gardens.

Perhaps not at their very best, they still "stood out"according to adjudicators Howard Evans and Sheona White, leaving them "really satisfied"by a performance of Ray Steadman-Allen's 'Seascapes' that had "elegance, refinement and control".

Few who heard the National Champion under Russell Gray's baton would have disagreed. They were, as Howard Evans also stated, "a class apart".

Assertions

The judges written comments backed up their assertions: "Some wonderful playing with a really cohesive performance"wrote Sheona, whilst Howard summed things up by saying that they had "…really captured the detail and style of the music".

On a work that demanded an acute appreciation of colour, texture and balance (as found in the composer's seminal book on the subject), Foden's did just that; the colours vibrant but never lurid, the textures mixed with subtlety (enhanced by their award winning perc team), the balances defined yet coalescent.

They did stutter on occasion, but the overall musical picture was drawn so lyrically — the poetic imagery infusing the MDs approach.

As Band Chairman John Barber said a little later: "It's such a difficult work to get to grips with — and very different from modern test pieces. We enjoyed it greatly as Russell drew out the musical elements that were not always obvious. It's a very subtle and engaging piece to play."

Leyland evidence

A margin behind came well beaten rivals — although Leyland provided further evidence that they are returning to the very top echelon of elite banding with a clearly defined account under Thomas Wyss to claim the runner-up spot for the second successive year.

Joining them in London for the first time since 2011 will be Pemberton Old Wigan DW, after Ben Dixon led a performance of cultured sensibilities to consign Fairey into fourth. That saw Garry Cutt's band miss out on an Albert Hall appearance for the first time since 2013.

Intake of breath

There was an audible in-take of breath when the Stockport band's name was announced, but even their most ardent fans would have admitted that they were not at their best — the usual deep polish tonality marred by small errors and a lack of cohesion.

In a contest that fell into discernible levels of quality, solid, well-directed accounts from Sean Conway and Dennis Hadfield enabled a delighted duo of Wardle Anderson Brass and Milnrow to claim merited top-six finishes.

The workmanlike sensibilities of TCTC Group and the more exotic flavourings of Wingates led the rest of the field home — although it was left to Foden's to fill the People Challenge Cup in celebration of yet another Area title for the fourth year in a row.

First Section:

There was a much closer battle for the First Section honours, with Rainford living up to their pre-contest favourites tag by securing victory.

Joining them in Cheltenham will be Boarshurst Silver; the duo giving performances delivered with an appreciation of the type of 'authentic' Gilbert Vinter style Leigh Baker and John Doyle, perched high in the vast expanse of the Empress Ballroom, were specifically looking for.

"It was a tough call between the top two,"Leigh admitted, whilst John added that the battle for qualification had been a bit of a "dog-fight"with the "devil in the detail"- although with his usual touch of humour he castigated some percussionists whose enthusiasm had been fueled by "too many Shredded Wheat".

Re-invented

That was a witty summation of the criticism made clear by the duo when they referred to the "re-invented"approaches some MDs tried to impose on Vinter's 55 year-old score.

Harsh dynamics, wayward tempos (especially in the brioso finale) and a lack of musical subtlety consigned a number of accounts to the lower reaches of the results table, although the acoustic of the Empress Ballroom meant that listener's opinions varied greatly depending on where they sat.

In contrast, it was the bands that they believed stayed true to Vinter's original intentions that best showcased a worthy test of potential championship level aspirations. They were not wrong.

Winning key

That was certainly the key for the winners. Led by Gareth Brindle, Rainford played with control, balance and security — right from the opening fanfare delivered with trumpet-like brilliance.

Thereafter the quality of the solo lines and ensemble (helped by their award winning percussion) was marked — the brioso finale just on the right side of brisk. It was a fine account.

So too Boarshust under James Garlick, who gave the early marker of musical and technical substance to deservedly secure their qualification place.

It meant that recent Brass at the Guild winner Longridge just missed out, despite the excellent individual contribution of their soprano Matthew Balsom. MD Mark Peacock was perhaps left to rue their somewhat breathless approach to that brioso finale.

Behind them came solidly portrayed accounts from Blackburn & Darwen, Haydock and 2018 Second Section National Champion Middleton — each showing clearly defined detail through an appreciative understanding of the score by their MDs.

In contrast, others will have left thinking they were a little unlucky, but as the judges alluded to — trying to extract something from a score that isn't there to start with is always going to be fraught with danger.

Second Section:

Darrol Barry's 'Rise of the Phoenix' enabled 17 contenders to present performances of colour, drive and energy for judges Derek Broadbent and Brian Rostron to compare and contrast.

That was remarked upon by Derek in his excellent pre-results analysis — although he clearly pointed out that in many cases it meant that more mundane brass banding basics were conspicuous by their absence.

And whilst he congratulated the best bands — he said they had "no difficulty"in picking the "top two or three", he felt that this particular Phoenix had left others "with scorch marks"after they had committed the contesting "crime"of playing with ingrained rhythmic inaccuracy.

No doubt

Derek left no one in any doubt that it wasn't just the players that were culpable from the earliest bars of the score either — pointing out that conductor's had to shoulder a fair amount of blame.

"It may not look it, but it's a work fraught with danger,"he said. "It was disappointing at times today, but the bands will be the better for playing it."

No such disappointment though for Bollington Brass, as the experienced Peter Christian led them back to Cheltenham for the second successive year with a rendition full of character and technical security — the boldness and drama matched by excellent solo lines (a superb tuba the pick), well-judged dynamics and pacing.

Joining them for the first time since 2012 will be Besses Boys led by James Holt, who gave a performance (aided by their award winning percussion team), that saw the MD bouncing with joy as the final chord was delivered.

The final spot went to Luke Pallister's Farnworth & Walkden, as they continued on their upwardly mobile progress (they were at the Third Section Final in 2016) with a performance full of solid virtues (and a great bass trom).

With its pastiche elements of John Barry's famous '007' scores, a suave account from Eagley just missed out in fourth, whilst a vibrant Blackpool Brass and solid rendition from Pemberton Old Wigan DW 'B' made up the top-six.

Behind them came a host of bands that gave performance of merit, but it was Bollington who rose highest from the flames.

Third Section:

The timeless quality of Gustav Holst's 'First Suite in E Flat' made for an engaging contest between 18 well matched bands.

In the end it was the trio of newly crowned champion Valley Brass (Haydock) and qualifiers Uppermill and Hawk Green that led the way — each delivering renditions that combined solid banding basics with a level of musical style and understanding that brought contrast as well as security from the transparent score.

Deserved winner

David Chadwick's excellent ensemble was a deserved winner (the second time they have triumphed in four years) — the warm fluidity of the opening 'Chaconne' leading into a bright 'Intermezzo' and strict 'March' that was light but noble. It was a super account, with the trombones and tubas also gaining just reward for their efforts.

For judges Sarah Groarke-Booth and Ian Brownbill, Uppermill was not far behind. Dean Redfearn also drew well defined elements of style and security from his players (with prize winning percussion) to maintain their excellent run of form since he took over the baton and return them to the National Finals for the first time since 2008.

Joining them there will be Hawk Green, who took the final podium qualification spot as Neil Hewson's cultured approach also found favour in the box.

All three will be strong contenders for further honours come September.

It meant that Richard Evans just missed out on taking Trinity Girls to Cheltenham after he inspired his players with a graceful interpretation to end fourth, with the remaining top-six places going to Pilling Jubilee Silver and Whitworth Vale & Healey — both of whom found favour with many neutral listeners in the Pavilion Theatre.

Behind them came a number of performances of merit, whilst as the adjudicators said, every band will have taken a great deal of benefit from performing a work that offered scope to build on the essential building blocks of good banding practice.

Fourth Section:

As the heavyweight contenders battled it out in the Opera House for a place at the Royal Albert Hall, there was a cracking Fourth Section contest to enjoy in the Empress Ballroom.

Eventually it was won by the outstanding Sale Brass as the last contender to perform — one that saw John Anderson's band head to Cheltenham for the second successive year, this time as a deserved champion alongside a delighted Rode Hall Silver, who will be making the first in their 133 year history.

It was a pity that only a dozen bands were taking part, as any of the top six would have represented the region very well.

Panache

Sale opened confidently and never let go — each movement played with a touch of musical panache as well as technical security, whilst Rode Hall Silver also displayed a mature confidence under Nigel Butler that had admirable ensemble control to aid classy soloists.

The overall standard was such that a fine account from BMP Europe Ltd Goodshaw (with their 'Best Percussion') just missed out in third, whilst performances of rich merit came from Blackley, Dobcross Youth (who were an absolute delight) and Skelmersdale Prize made up a high quality top-six.

Behind them came a host of solid contenders — from Brindle to the youthful Red Admiral.

That was due to the fact that Ray Steadman-Allen's neatly structured 'Stantonbury Festival' did its job and did it well; allowing well led ensembles to display consistency and contrast in each of its three movements — something that both adjudicators Jim Davies and Andrew Warriner highlighted in their remarks.

"It was a good standard,"Jim diplomatically (but honestly) revealed after apologising for Wales winning the Six Nations rugby the day before. "The winners had style and the soloists shone."

Andrew was equally impressed. "The top bands were excellent."The duo were spot on — as were the brace of qualifiers who will now head to Cheltenham as the region's excellent representatives.

Iwan Fox

On a work that demanded an acute appreciation of colour, texture and balance, Foden's did just that; the colours vibrant but never lurid, the textures mixed with subtlety, the balances defined yet coalescent4BR

Results:

Championship Section:

Test Piece: Seascapes (Ray Steadman-Allen)
Adjudicators: Howard Evans and Sheona White

1. Foden's (Russell Gray)**
2. Leyland (Thomas Wyss)*
3. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ben Dixon)*
4. Fairey (Garry Cutt)
5. Wardle Anderson Brass (Sean Conway)
6. Milnrow (Dennis Hadfield)
7. TCTC Group (Jef Sparkes)
8. Wingates (Paul Andrews)
9. Oldham Band (Lees) (John Collins)
10. VBS Poynton (Stig Maersk)
11. Ashton-Under Lyne (Philip Chalk)
12. Freckleton (John Pearson)

** Foden's pre-qualified for National Final
* Qualify for National Final

Best Percussion: Foden's Band

First Section:

Test Piece: Symphony of Marches (Gilbert Vinter)
Adjudicators: Leigh Baker and John Doyle

1. Rainford (Gareth Brindle)*
2. Boarshurst Silver (James Garlick)*
3. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
4. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas)
5. Haydock (Mark Quinn)
6. Middleton (Kevin Gibbs)
7. Roberts Bakery (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
8. Flixton (Matthew Ryan)
9. Silk Brass (Tony Wyatt)
10. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
11. Manx Concert Brass (Ian Clague MBE)
12. Diggle (Alan Widdop)
13. Mossley (Duncan Byers)
14. Haslingden & Helmshore (John Binns)
15. Cheshire Constabulary (David Woollam)
16. Crewe Brass (Matt Pithers)

*Top 2 bands qualify for National Final

Best Percussion: Rainford
Best Soprano: Longridge
Youngest Player: Thomas Scathe (12) — Mossley

Second Section:

Test Piece: Rise of the Phoenix (Darrol Barry)
Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent and Brian Rostron

1. Bollington Brass (Peter Christian)*
2. Besses Boys (James Holt)*
3. Farnworth & Walkden (Luke Pallister)*
4. Eagley (Chris Wormald)
5. Blackpool Brass (Len Charnock)
6. Pemberton Old Wigan DW 'B' (Mike Golding)
7. Marple (Stephen Curtis)
8. Tyldesley (Robert Taylor)
9. Delph (Philip Goodwin)
10. Old Hall Brass (John North)
11. Poulton-Le-Fylde (Alex Webb)
12. Besses o' th' Barn (Trevor Halliwell)
13. Allerton Brass (Adam D.J. Taylor)
14. Formby (Louise Hough MBE)
15. Rivington & Adlington (Malcolm Wilson)
16. Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley)
17. Greenfield (Patrick Marshall)

*Top 3 bands qualify for the National Final

Best Percussion: Besses Boys

Third Section:

Test Piece: First Suite in E Flat (Gustav Holst)
Adjudicators: Ian Brownbill and Sarah Groarke-Booth

1. Valley Brass (Haydock) (David Chadwick)*
2. Uppermill (Dean Redfern)*
3. Hawk Green (Neil Hewson)*
4. Trinity Girls (Richard Evans)
5. Pilling Jubilee Silver (Steve Hartley)
6. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Chris Binns)
7. Eccleston Brass (John Wood)
8. Douglas Town (Ken Mitchell)
9. Thornton Cleveleys (Stephen Craig)
10. City of Chester (Ewan Easton)
11. Parr St Helens (John Ludden)
12. Greenall's (Phil Boardman)
13. Hoover Bolton (Craig Mann)
14. Darwen Brass (Mike Cotter)
15. Lostock Hall Memorial (Joshua Hughes)
16. Goldborne Brass (Jason Smith)
17. Littleborough (Adrian Woodhead)
18. Stalybridge Old (James Atkins)

*Top 3 bands qualify for National Final

Best Trombones: Valley Brass (Haydock)
Best Percussion: Uppermill
Best Basses: Valley Brass (Haydock)

Fourth Section:

Test Piece: Stantonbury Festival (Ray Steadman-Allen)
Adjudicators: Jim Davies and Andrew Warriner

1. Sale Brass (John Anderson)*
2. Rode Hall Silver (Nigel Butler)*
3. BMP Europe Ltd Goodshaw (Alan Seymour)
4. Blackley (Adrian Smith)
5. Dobcross Youth (M.Hindle)
6. Skelmersdale Prize (Ben Coulson)
7. Brindle (Matthew Balson)
8. Stacksteads (Fred Bowker))
9. Ramsey Town (Robert Quane)
10. Cadishead Public (David Holland)
11. Dobcross Silver (Grenville Moore)
12. Red Admiral Brass (Stuart Barton)

*Top 2 bands qualify for National Final

Percussion: BMP Europe Ltd Goodshaw