The National Championship of Great Britain trophy once again resides in Sandbach.

Foden's superbly crafted performance of Peter Graham's test-piece rounded off an intriguing contest day and left the judges in no doubt which motorway 'Hyperlink' should carry the famous silver pot to its home for the next twelve months.

Given their current contesting excellence under MD Russell Gray there could be a well-worn dent in the bandhall carpet where it will now stand by the time someone else may get their hands on it.

Legendary

It was Foden's 16th National success, and their third in the last four competitive years. It is also the first time since the Fred Mortimer era of the 1930s that they have successfully defended the title. They now have their eyes set on emulating that legendary band when they return in 2023.

"A truly remarkable performance", "so musical and measured" that "had everything"
were the written verdicts of Dr Robert Childs, Prof Rob Wiffin OBE and Dr Stephen Cobb.

Few would disagree, despite the high-class challenges of their nearest rivals — notably the trio of pre-qualifiers Black Dyke, Cory and Flowers. Just behind came the top-six finishers of Hammonds and Tredegar.

Longer than Liz

Dr Childs laid out the decision-making analysis in his extensive pre-results remarks — one that lasted considerably longer from the lectern than that given by Prime Minister Liz Truss 24 hours earlier down the road in Downing Street.

Unlike the beleaguered Tory leader, he covered every aspect of what everyone wanted to know. The result they reached was unanimous, but also came after discussion. There were no U-turns.

The odds on him being the next Chancellor shortened considerably after he sat down.

He also reiterated many of his recent British Open adjudication observations: The score was "our criteria" to "cross reference what we see and what we hear". The judges had spoken with each other and with Peter Graham extensively. He added that they were, "singing off the same hymn sheet".

Forensic detail

It was certainly a forensically detailed one as he connected the elements appreciated in the box; from the opening bit of Bach ("the only two bars in the piece without a metronome mark") to the febrile final section ("where the best bands weren't tired and did slow down").

And as he pinpointed at Symphony Hall, even allowing for some "deviation"- which he said the composer didn't mind, it was the appreciation of dynamics, pace and rhythmic accuracy that counted so that they could "sit back and hear musicianship".

That was particularly focussed on the central 'Remember Me' — a paean to loss and memory. "That was the chance to get under the skin of the music," he said. "Two or three nearly made us cry — the hairs on the back of hands stood on end."

It's atmospheric niente ending certainly brought some inventive thinking, but for the trio, only "one or two" captured the essential feeling of "fading to nothing — leaving the earth to heaven."

Ethereal

Foden's were ethereal in that respect — providing an emotive core to a performance that despite a crack to open soon emersed the audience with its spellbinding brilliance — led by their outstanding 'Best Instrumentalist' soprano star, Richard Poole.

His remarkable personal 'double' — he won the 'Best Soprano' accolade at the British Open, was backed by a superb ensemble in a reading of acute clarity by MD Russell Gray.

His fourth National title was filtered by mature musical appreciation — nuanced and tempered to bring focus to the leading lines. It was most notable in the central section (especially between ensemble and percussion), but also with his ability make the synaptic links in the outer movements seem seamless, allowing the lines to flow unhindered.

Remarkable performance

It elicited the most appreciative response from the judges in the open topped tent (which made for absorbing viewing for those perched high up in the hall).

"A truly remarkable performance — technique, musicality and magic", Dr Robert Childs wrote in his summing up. "What a performance — so musical and measured — lyrical, beautiful and exciting", added Prof Rob Wiffin OBE. "An absolutely brilliant performance — it had everything! Exciting, musical — just breathtaking", wrote Dr Stephen Cobb.

As the last band to perform it meant that no-one was left to beat it — and an hour or so later after a enjoyable interlude by the National Youth Band of Great Britain and a clever 'Festfanfare', by the Fanfare Trumpets of the Band of the RAF Regiment, Simone Rebello delivered the denouement.

It was greeted with universal appreciation in the hall, the players racing to the stage lift the cup once again in triumph.

Something special

Speaking to 4BR as they celebrated, principal cornet Mark Wilkinson said: "Russell brings something special from the music we play, and we just follow his lead — with Michael Fowles doing so much in the preparation.

It's been an amazing weekend after the concert at Regent Hall, and we are all in awe of Richard Poole on soprano. He is just incredible."

Although the MD was absent from the wonderfully chaotic celebrations, Russell Gray (who always takes the time to spend with his family) didn't miss out later, as he said: "Congratulations to everyone. I knew it was good as we left the stage. Was worried drawn 20 it might be too late, but you were so cool under the at pressure. I just love working with you. Bravo everyone."

Black Dyke self-belief

With the trophy on its way back to Sandbach, supporters from a small banding town in Queensbury will also have left London more than happy.

Black Dyke may have to wait another year at least to add to their 24 National titles, but the self-belief of doing that in their own way has been revived after this performance.

MD Prof Nicholas Childs' approach to 'Hyperlink' saw outer sections of precision balanced by the cold melancholy and heartfelt emotion of the central 'Remember Me'.

There were odd moments of unease, but they were outweighed by a return to a bravura approach reminiscent of the band at their best at this event.

"A breathtaking performance — really appreciated the reading of movt 2 — very musical", wrote Dr Stephen Cobb. "What a super show — in every way — musical, technical — spiritual", added Dr Robert Childs. Prof Rob Wiffin OBE summed up his remarks; "Just a few minor flaws — but this was a very high quality performance that was hugely enjoyable."

Richard Nixon

There was no doubting the self-belief of Cory as they were poised to open their 'Hyperlink' account; Philip Harper's arms raised in US President Richard Nixon style before the opening Bach motif.

There was no cover up at the Albert Hall though to follow — and it was still coursing through the veins to the thunderous close, despite noticeable errors and the idiosyncratic ending to the central section that left the percussion leading the diminishing heavenly ascent.

"Hugely exciting — just a very few minor flaws but overall a fantastic listen", wrote Rob Wiffin OBE. "A performance of great musicianship and artistry. Great soloists and a great MD. One or two minor slips — so what!" added Dr Robert Childs. Dr Stephen Cobb summed things up: "Thank you conductor and band for some brilliant technical playing, but enthralling musicianship — particularly in movt 2."

Those little slips (for both Cory and Black Dyke) were perhaps the difference between victory and a podium place. As Dr Childs later stated, the ultimate decision was unanimous, but it had come after discussion. Their written remarks endorsed his statement.

Absorbing Flowers

Foden's, Black Dyke and Cory have now won nine of the last ten National titles between them (Brighouse & Rastrick the other in 2017) — but for many a new name could have been announced as Flowers produced a thoroughly absorbing account under Paul Holland.

They did lead the way off the number 7 draw until Black Dyke took to the stage at 16 (Cory and Foden's were 19 and 20), but eventually it was edged out. It was enthralling — sharp and lean in pace and dynamic, topped by richly informed musicality and some tremendous individual contributions (notably Paul Richard on soprano).

Flowers could count themselves a little unlucky that their rivals surge came so late. They are getting closer and closer though to having their name engraved on some major silverware.

Little surprise

Hammonds and Tredegar are already etched in the record books, with the judges later saying that they found them closely matched off their early draws (6 and 3 respectively), a touch behind the top four, but a margin ahead of the rest of the field.

Hammonds played with consideration and musical nous under Morgan Griffiths to further enhance their reputation as a band building solidly to consistent finishes in the top echelons of the major contests, whilst Tredegar produced another high-class account under Ian Porthouse that sparkled with power, clarity and drive.

There was little surprise that both featured in the top-six come the results.

Deserved celebrations

There were deserved celebrations though for Rothwell Temperance and Oldham Band (Lees) in seventh and eighth — ensembles whose musical approach is inextricably linked to their MDs personalities.

That was hallmarked here. Both were bold, confident and inventive (Rothwell one of the few that gave the opening a thrilling shock factor chordal collapse, whilst Oldham delivered a central section of spacious delicacy), the MDs drilling down right into the foundations of Peter Graham's composition.

Lettuce

'Hyperlink' certainly showed its teeth, and although it came in around 14 minutes in duration (still longer than a Liz Truss policy but shorter than the shelf life of a lettuce) — it had more than enough packed into its three movements to catch out the unwary or over ambitious.

It meant that the main contenders stood out on a day when the draw bookended extended periods when challengers rather came and went with a lack of memorability.

There was little to choose from 10th (Redbridge) down to 15th (Leyland) as the performances increasingly lacked the precision (clarity suffered trying to hit the tempo markings in the outer movements) and secure musicality (intonation and dynamic issues in the central section) the judges stated they were looking for.

Some will be happier than others, but there will be little cause for complaint, as will be the case for those that eventually found themselves in the bottom quarter. None were overawed, but on this occasion, they were someway off commanding 'Hyperlink' successfully.

Encouraging

As for the event itself?

Kapitol were pleased by the ticket sales — up considerably and encouragingly on last year, and something to build on, even if the day could have been made more compact by a shorter halfway break (45 minutes was long).

The inclusion of the National Youth Band of Great Britain was a welcome addition though as the event retained its polish with its excellent organisation and volunteers (the last appearance for the wonderful Peter Dalby and his wife).

Talking of which, Foden's won't mind having to invest some of the £2,000 first prize in a few more bottles of Brasso over the next 12 months to keep the sheen on the National trophy.

Iwan Fox

"A truly remarkable performance — technique, musicality and magic"Dr Robert Childs on Foden's Band

Result:

Test Piece: Hyperlink (Peter Graham)
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs, Dr Stephen Cobb, Prof Rob Wiffin OBE

1. Foden's (Russell Gray)*
2. Black Dyke (Prof. Nicholas Childs)*
3. Cory (Philip Harper)*
4. Flowers (Paul Holland)*
5. Hammonds (Morgan Griffiths)
6. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
7. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
8. Oldham Band (Lees) (John Collins)
9. Desford Colliery (Michael Fowles)
10. Redbridge (Chris Bearman)
11. Whitburn (Garry Cutt)
12. Aldbourne (Erik Janssen)
13. Bon Accord Silver (Adam Cooke)
14. Easington Colliery (Stephen Malcolm)
15. Leyland (Thomas Wyss)
16. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Christopher Bond)
17. Ratby Co-operative (Mareika Gray)
18. Northop Silver (Daniel Brooks)
19. NASUWT Riverside (Dr. David Thornton)
20. Haverhill Silver (Paul Filby)

Best Instrumentalist: Richard Poole (soprano) — Foden's
* Prequalified for 2023 National Final