Due to the logistics of having to put on the Midlands Regional Championships over two weekends at its new venue, the Fourth Section contest was held on its own at The Cube in Corby.

It was a pity that the 13 excellent bands were somewhat isolated from the main action on what was a long awaited return to the contesting calendar after the enforced Covid-19 break, but after such a lengthy hiatus, an extra week was neither here or there in the great scheme of things.

It also gave the bands the opportunity to check out the bone-dry acoustic of the theatre, as well as consider the close proximity to the judge's box.

Informed appreciation

Nearly all must have sent at last one person along the weekend before as the informed appreciation of dynamics was marked in what was a hugely enjoyable contest that contained a number of fine performances of Stephan Hodel's 'Argos'.

Paul Norley and Alan Duguid had already given equally informed (and sharp witted) analysis of what they had heard the week before.

Once again they made sure that MDs, players and listeners alike were in no doubt what they were looking for, and why they placed the bands where they did. It's not often you get judges talking about the importance of bossa-nova style.

Deserved victory

Amington claimed a deserved victory off the number 1 draw with a performance that gave the duo what turned out to be an unsurpassable maker under the baton of Alan Gifford.

In fact, it wasn't until the very last band of the day in Trentham Brass led by Shaun Farrington that they were pushed to the Cheltenham qualification line.

Both performances bookended a splendidly upbeat contest with renditions of brightness, vibrancy and dynamic balance. The percussion playing in particular was great — the kit players (especially the youngster with Trentham) driving the music forward but never overpowering.

Amington just retained that extra edge of refinement for the judges though — with an extra level in ensemble detail that was brought through so well. It also saw the band claim a Fourth Section 'double' after the success of 2020, whilst their MD has also enjoyed extending his personal winning streak after recently helping lead the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to UniBrass success.

On this form both they and Trentham (who also qualified here in 2020 and who said on their Facebook page that they were "thrilled" by the result) should head to Cheltenham confident of doing very well indeed.

Pipped

Just missing out on this occasion was a group of bands that also played with a great deal of brio and style — led by Thrapston Town under Nathan Waterman, who could count themselves more than a little unlucky that they couldn't quite hold onto second place as Trentham pipped them to the post.

In most other years given the size of the usual Midlands entry, a third band would have deservedly gone through; so a tad unlucky on both fronts after a super show full to the brim with confidence and cultured musicality.

Just behind them came the super top-six shows from Newark Town, local favourites Corby Silver and Wem Jubilee, whilst there was also a great deal to savour with each of the bands down the results list.

Both Paul Norley and Alan Duguid were quite right when they said every band brought something from the colourful score — with a special mention to Bilton Silver (Rugby) Evolution packed with youngsters and led brilliantly by Catherine Fountain.

What a show of fantastic potential it was.

Matt Ludford-King

Result:

Fourth Section:

Test piece: Argos (Stephan Hodel)
Adjudicators: Paul Norley and Alan Duguid

1. Amington (Alan Gifford)*
2. Trentham Brass (Shaun Farrington)*
3. Thrapston Town (Nathan Waterman)
4. Newark Town (Gary Wyatt)
5. Corby Silver (Catherine Fountain)
6. Wem Jubilee (Cathy Rutherford)
7. Brackley & District (Rhys Owens)
8. Whitwell Brass (Rob Deakin)
9. Syston (Colin Jones)
10. Croft Silver (Ian Needham)
11. Matlock (Chris Banks)
12. Coventry Festival (Allan Wheelhouse)
13. Bilton Silver (Rugby) Evolution (Jack Fisher)

*Invite to National Final

*Withdrawn: Fairfield (Buxton) (Charles Kitchen)

This result will be added with a full news report to the existing 2022 Midlands Regional Championships.