The Thundersley Band headed a chasing pack of 'Accursed Huntsman' in Blackpool to claim victory in the Senior Cup.

Played out against a make-believe backdrop albeit very real sweltering heat of the Spanish Hall in the Winter Gardens, their expertly paced ride under the whip-hand one of the most knowledgeable contesting MDs in Melvin White was thoroughly deserved.

Drama and excitement

His broad, symphonic approach ratcheted up the drama and excitement notch by notch to remain one step ahead of 19 determined rivals.

It was clever, informed conducting on a rather monochrome score (despite the added percussion) that kept the panting Satanic hounds of Cesar Franck's dramatic tale of equestrian blasphemy in their wake.

Arranged by Edrich Siebert for the 1973 British Open, what it lacked in textured colour it made up in accelerated anxiety — the opening horn call a premeditated warning of the sins of religious sacrilege (and the majority gave it the full fire and brimstone pulpit oration — although occasionally with a triplet rather than semi-quaver inflection).

Thereafter, the best, led by Thundersley alongside fellow qualifiers Amersham, Stannington and Tylorstown picked up the pace from canter to gallop and final frenzied scramble with deliberation, clarity and just enough controlled timing to keep the hounds from tearing to pieces their qualification hopes like poor Acteon after a sneaky peep at Diana in the bath.

Overall standard

"What a great test-piece," Mark Wilkinson (joined by Dr Brett Baker) told the audience before the eventual announcement of the results, and later telling 4BR. "The overall standard was very good, but the best bands captured the character of the music and the tempo changes."

He added: "Some sections needed a little more movement, but others didn't need so much excitement and harshness. The horn players were great. The top two stood out and it was the bands that had that extra control that made the mark with us."

Excitement and flair

Thundersley's performance was "full of excitement and flair", "not overcooked but with transparent and articulated exciting playing" according to Brett and Mark in their written remarks. It was also one that not only gained safe musical refuge from Beelzebub's dogs, but also saw them lift their first major trophy since 2014.

Formed in 1980 in South Essex, Thundersley has progressed in solid incremental steps in the intervening 43 years, winning Fourth, Second and First Section titles at the London & Southern Counties Area, as well as getting to the Royal Albert Hall in 2018.

Under Melvin White's direction since 2019 that progress has been solidified, the culmination arriving in splendid fashion early on Saturday evening as the players raced to the stage to enjoy the celebrations.

Incredible

For solo horn player Keith Schroeter it was something of a bittersweet triumph — his own personal contribution seeing him presented with the 'Best Instrumentalist' award, but also remembering his brother who passed away earlier this year.

"It's incredible," he said as he tried to juggle both the Senior Trophy and his 'Best Soloist' award in his hands without dropping them amid the hugs from fellow players. "What a performance. Melvin worked us so hard and it just all came together on stage."

Attitude

A little later Melvin White, who headed home back to London after the band had played, told 4BR: "My thanks for this result goes straight to the players and the team running Thundersley. They have made huge steps in the right direction in the last 12 months making my job a real joy."

He added: "The attitude, atmosphere and togetherness are wonderful. I can't be happier for them."

As to his approach to the score he added: "Straight forward really. Tell the story as it evolves with the tempos and the moods. It had to be paced and balanced, bringing the limited colour to the fore to get the clarity in a tricky acoustic. It worked for us and thankfully it worked for the judges."

Pacing and character

Another band who also made the most of pacing and character was Amersham, who once again showed their emerging top-flight credentials with a confident, (with a fantastic horn start) concise approach under Paul Fisher that fully deserved their runner-up finish.

And where others bands just let the drip of adrenaline seep a little too quickly in the veins allowing them little room to push comfortably to the frenetic final furlong sprint for home, it was the well-considered approaches of Stannington and Tylorstown led by Sam Fisher and Rob Westacott that claimed the remaining brace of promotions berths.

Both just took their time to reach full pelt, although always maintaining the momentum of the music, whilst the percussion teams added just the right amount of effect — from distant church bells to jaw snapping canine side drum.

Horse & Hounds

Much the same too from a rejuvenated Tongwynlais Temperance led by Owen Farr and Blackburn & Darwen conducted by Daniel Thomas, with renditions had a touch of 'Horse & Hounds' refinement about them in filling the remaining top-six places.

Unison Kinneil, Eccles Borough, Longridge and Yorkshire Imps claimed the remaining top-10 places with performance that on another day may just have sneaked into the reckoning, whilst there was much to enjoy with the other midfield finishers of Ebbw Valley, Pontardulais and Enderby.

Return

With 21 bands competing this year (due to the lingering after effects of Covid-19), Parc & Dare, Haverhill Silver, Filton Concert, Vernon Building Society Poynton, Thoresby Colliery, Bo'ness & Carriden and Hatfield & Askern Colliery will have to seek a return through the various qualification routes.

It may seem a little harsh, but the clearly defined structure of the Spring Festival is well known and respected. On the quality shown by all seven though, they should be confident of making a return to Blackpool in twelve months' time.

Iwan Fox

My thanks for this result goes straight to the players and the team running Thundersley. They have made huge steps in the right direction in the last 12 months making my job a real joyMelvin White

Senior Trophy:

Test-piece: The Accursed Huntsman (Cesar Franck arr. Edrich Siebert)
Adjudicators: Dr Brett Baker, Mark Wilkinson

1. Thundersley Brass (Melvin White)*
2. Amersham (Paul Fisher)*
3. Stannington Brass (Sam Fisher)*
4. Tylorstown (Robert Westacott)*
5. Tongwynlais Temperance (Owen Farr)
6. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas)
7. Unison Kinneil (Raymond Tennant)
8. Eccles Borough (Jon Davis)
9. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
10. Yorkshire Imperial (Garry Hallas)
11. Easington Colliery (Stephen Malcolm)
12. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter)
13. Pontardulais (Paul Jenkins)
14. Enderby (Stephen Phillips)
15. Parc & Dare (Dewi Griffiths)**
16. Haverhill Silver (Paul Filby)**
17. Filton Concert Brass (Nathan Jenkins)**
18. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Adam Delbridge-Smith)**
19. Thoresby Colliery (Simon Oates)**
20. Bo'ness & Carriden (Charlie Farren)**
21. Hatfield & Askern Colliery (Stan Lippeatt)**

Best Instrumentalist: Keith Schroeter (tenor horn) — Thundersley

*Promoted to the Senior Cup
**Must re-qualify