*
banner

Report & Result: 2023 Morley March & Hymn Contest

Imps take the Morley honours once more to enjoy their day out in the sun.

Yorkshire Imperial
  The band has now claimed the Morley title four times

Yorkshire Imperial led by Garry Hallas took a fine boot full of the silverware on offer at the popular Morley March & Hymn Contest on the weekend.

Their performances of 'The Wizard' march and the hymn tune 'Nearer My God to Thee' in coming second and first in their respective disciplines claimed their overall honours for a fourth time and also saw principal cornet Alan Fowler take the 'Best Soloist' prize. The band also won the opportunity to work with Brighouse & Rastrick star Tom Smith.

Smashing afternoon

Speaking about the victory on his Facebook page, winning MD Garry Hallas said: "It was a smashing afternoon. The rain stayed away, and the band put on a very decent show of our march and our hymn tune — and we also played okay whilst walking!

Heard lots of other great playing too with congratulations to Skelmanthorpe and Tewit Silver, not forgetting their youth band won all the prizes, plus the deportment overall. Well done too to Thoresby, Slaithwaite and Tingley and to the contest organisers."

Consistency

Imps' consistency over the two disciplines enabled them to beat fellow Yorkshire rivals Skelmanthorpe, who played 'The President' to take the individual march honours and 'Prelude on Lavenham' under conductor Martin Heartfield.

Welcome North of England visitors Tewit Silver was third, whilst 'Best Section' awards went to Thoresby Colliery, Slaithwaite, Tingley and Tewit Youth who had a fantastic day in claiming nearly as much silverware as the overall champion.

It was the 15th time that the contest has taken place with eight bands taking the opportunity to showcase their skills in a well-supported event.

It was a smashing afternoon. The rain stayed away, and the band put on a very decent show of our march and our hymn tune — and we also played okay whilst walking!Garry Hallas

Result:

Adjudicator: Jack Capstaff
Foot march and Deportment Prizes: Ian McElligott
March/Hymn Tune = Total

1. Yorkshire Imperial: 94/94 = 188
2. Skelmanthorpe: 96/91 = 187
3. Tewit Silver: 92/92 = 184
4. Thoresby Colliery: 91/89 = 180
5. Tewit Youth: 88/86 = 174
6. Drighlington: 90/83 = 173
7. Slaithwaite: 89/84 = 173
8. Tingley Band: 86/80 = 166

Best First Section Band (outside podium): Thoresby Colliery
Best Second Section Band (outside podium): Slaithwaite
Best Fourth Section Band (outside podium): Tingley
Best Youth Band: Tewit Youth

Best Contest March: Skelmanthorpe
Best Hymn Tune: Yorkshire Imperial
Best Foot March: Yorkshire Imperial

Best Deportment (Open): Tewit Youth
Best Deportment (Youth): Tewit Youth

Best Instrumentalist: Alan Fowler (cornet) — Yorkshire Imperial
Guest Soloist Prize: Tom Smith (Yorkshire Imperial)

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    


Desford

Desford reaching wider audience following National win

October 16 • The wider public media have been keen to broadcast the news of Desford's memorable National Championship victory.


Yorkshire generation

Yorkshire focus on Next Generation

October 16 • Young players aged 16 and under will be teh focus of a 'Next Generation' day of inclusive music making in York in February.


Emotions

New online brass band platform launched

October 16 • Emotions on Stage will replace the CUBrass website as a leading platform for brass, wind and concert bands.


Grimethorpe

Grimethorpe go for a Burton

October 16 • Will Burton is the new solo Eb tuba of Grimethorpe Colliery Band.


Regent Brass - Brett Baker

Friday 17 October • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), 275 Oxford Street, London WC1 2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Berkeley Brass

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Wigfield Brass Quintet

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Brass

Friday 17 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Oxted Brass Band - Tom Smith (Brighouse & Rastrick)

Saturday 18 October • St John’s, Hurst Green, Kent RH8 9EA


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a Eb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Martyn Evans

BEd (Hons) NABBC member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Teacher, Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd