*
banner

Cory and Wardle Academy Youth becoming Bic Champion of Champions

An online worldwide audience vote for Cory and Wardle Academy Youth as their favourites in online 2020 Brass in Concert festival event.

Sage
  Cory and Wardle retained their titles — this time on replay online.

There was double delight for Cory and Wardle Academy Youth Bands on the weekend as their 2019 Brass in Concert winning programmes were voted 2020 'Champion of Champions' by a worldwide online audience.

With the Coronavirus pandemic leading to the cancellation of the 2020 Festival event at Sage Gateshead the decision of the organisers and World of Brass to provide a weekend of free brass band entertainment through the www.wobplay.com media platform proved to be a huge success.

Comments on social media not only praised the competitors, especially in the youth event, but also the selection of music and the quality of the production which enabled people to dip in as well as catch up with the action.

Thrilling

The programmes from the Youth, Gala Concert and Brass in Concert productions will now be available free of charge for a further 7 days until Sunday 22nd November.

Saturday saw a replay of the thrilling 2019 Youth Brass in Concert Championships, as well as an inspiring mini-masterclass from trombone virtuoso Ian Bousfield and an enjoyable highlights package from 15 years of the Brass in Concert Gala Concerts.

Meanwhile, Sunday was filled with the Brass in Concert 'Champion of Champions' competition presented by Frank Renton, featuring the 13 highest achieving bands at the event since 2005.

Wardle invention

Wardle's 'Homage to the Great Inventors' led by MD Lee Rigg once again proved to be an unbeatable mix of outstanding playing and remarkable presentation to claim the Youth Brass in Concert 'Champion of Champions' accolade.

The reprise broadcast performance was one that gained a maximum 200 points at the contest in 2019 from judges Jayne Murrill and Roger Argente — and garnered the most number of votes from the general public this time around to make up in part for the band's enforced absence from the major championship stages this year.

Led by a wonderful 'Mad Prof' narrator it cleverly embraced the local invention of the Swan electric light bulb to Stephenson's 'Rocket' locomotive, the Wright Brothers first flight, the telephone (updated of course to include the ubiquitous mobile device), the camera, and finally, the great British brass band.

As always though there was plenty to enjoy once more from each of their rivals, with a host of fantastic programmes played in contest order from Rochdale Borough Youth, Elland Silver Youth, Youth Brass 2000, Macclesfield Youth Brass, Lions Youth and Houghton Area Youth.

Gala highlights

Saturday evening's entertainment came courtesy of a decade and a half of pre-contest Gala concerts.

Introduced by Frank Renton (who didn't seem to age a jot from 2005 to date throughout the whole weekend) it was two and half hours packed with world class performances from the likes of Eikanger Bjorsvik, Black Dyke, Grimethorpe, Brighouse & Rastrick, the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army and the Brass Band of Central Florida and soloists such as James Morrison, David Childs, Hans Gansch, Steve Stewart, Richard Marshall and Philip Cobb.

Sunday's chronological presentation not only allowed people to enjoy a wide variety of performances from the featured bands, but also gave a tantalising glimpse into how the level of entertainment presentation has changed in the intervening years.

Kings of the Jungle

Little doubt to the worthy winners — as Cory's remarkable 'Jungle Book' programme deservedly claimed the 'Champion of Champions' title by the type of margin they claimed the 2019 Brass in Concert title.

Philip Harper's band secured 34.2% of the worldwide votes cast, with Carlton Main Frickley's cleverly inventive 'Poirotesque' murder mystery from 2018 conducted by Paul Holland gaining 14.8% and Eikanger Bjorsvik's creative 2017 winning performance led by Reid Gilje with 8.7% in third.

The remaining top six places in terms of popularity were Brighouse & Rastrick (2006), Grimethorpe Colliery (2010) and Whitburn (2008), followed by Fountain City (2017), Foden's (2009), Tredegar (2013), Leyland (2011), Flowers (2015), Reg Vardy (2009) and Brass Band of Central Florida (2011).

Sofa winner

"It's given everyone a real boost,"Phil Harper told 4BR. "It's great to know that people around the world appreciate what we did with our programme and the way in which it was presented.

We would have loved to have been back in Gateshead to defend our title but that will have to wait for now.

Our thanks go to everyone for putting this different 'Champion of Champions' event on — and to everyone who voted for us. It was a bit odd though winning a contest from the comfort of my sofa!"

It's great to know that people around the world appreciate what we did with our programme and the way in which it was presentedPhilip Harper

Thanks

Speaking about the weekend, a Brass in Concert spokesperson told 4BR: "Although nothing can match the buzz and excitement of the actual Sage Gateshead event, we are delighted with the response gained from across the banding world to this year's initiative.

Our thanks go to the team at World of Brass for an outstanding production through the wobplay.com platform and the opportunity it gave for people to enjoy the wonderful playing of world class bands at the event over the years.

We believe the production showed just how important Brass in Concert is in projecting a positive image of brass banding to the wider musical world and the success of the weekend with a worldwide audience also confirms just how popular it is with brass bands fans too."

Thrilled

In response, Nikki Tonge of World of Brass told 4BR: "We were also thrilled by the response and our thanks go to the Brass in Concert organisers for their support, as well as Frank Renton as the perfect host and the performers for their world class playing.

We worked hard to bring flavour of a decade and more of a fantastic event we are proud to be involved with and we hope people enjoyed it."

You can enjoy all the performances from the weekend for free for seven days to Sunday 22nd November at: www.wobplay.com

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Cory

Last chord for Cory legends

June 30 • The final notes of a decade of unprecedented success have been delivered by Glyn and Helen Williams at Cory Band.


Hepworth

Report & Result: Red Admiral March & Hymn Tune Contest

June 30 • The wizards of Hepworth pick up yet another march and hymn tune victory as they take the inaugural Red Admiral honours.


Crofton

Result: Wetherby Drovers March & Hymn Tune Contest

June 30 • Crofton Silver drive home with the top prize at Wetherby.


Mnozil

Mnozil Brass booked for Symphony Hall in 2027

June 30 • After their memorable performance in Birmingham on the weekend, over 650 tickets have already been snapped up for their 2027 return.


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Billingshurst Carnival

Sunday 29 June • Carnival through Billingshurst and concert at Recreation Ground RH14 9SX


Simon Langton Brass - Deal Memorial Bandstand

Sunday 29 June • The Strand, Walmer, Deal CT14 7DY CT14 7DY


Alder Valley Brass

June 26 • We are looking for BBb bass and soprano cornet players to join our ambitious, busy and sociable 2nd section band (national finalists 2023) with a good blend of concerts, engagements and contests. Rehearsals Mondays and Thursdays 8-10pm in Farnham, Surrey.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

June 25 • With a varied upcoming programme of events and following on from our successful "Musicals" concert and first ever trip to Saddleworth for Whit Friday, the band requires an Eb Bass player to join our group.


Alder Valley Brass

June 24 • As a result of a relocation we seek a Musical Director. We are an ambitious, busy and sociable 2nd section band (L&SC, National finalists 2023) with a blend of engagements, concerts and contests. We rehearse 8-10pm on Mondays and Thursdays in Farnham


Nigel Seaman

ARMCM ARNCM
Conductor, band trainer, teacher and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd