Memories of the great Desford Band of the early 1990s were rekindled in Corby as former principal cornet Ian Porthouse led the ensemble from North West Leicestershire to an impressive title success on Philip Sparke's 'Variations on an Enigma'.

The work was originally written for the band that won four consecutive Albert Hall national titles between 1987 and 1991. And whilst that is unlikely to be repeated, this victory certainly provided a timely reminder of an enduring quality that fully deserved its return to the scene of those great triumphs.

They were a clear winner — judges David Hirst and Sarah-Groarke Booth left in no doubt in deciding the destination of the People Challenge Cup following a performance of authoritative detail, tempo and stylistic consistency.

Extra elements

Speaking to 4BR later, David said: "Theirs was a performance that had the extra elements of musical style and shaping, tempo relevance and good balance. It really did stand out from beginning to end."

He added: "Behind them it was closer, but second was also clear and the others also fell into place. It was a question of consistency; tempos, style and execution — and on this piece these were key."

That was evident from the opening bars, followed by variant elements that combined precision, elegance, robustness, reflection and sheer tour de force verve. The blazingly triumphant ending sealed a comprehensive victory.

Joining Desford in Kensington will be GUS Band, as the defending champion also showcased their increasingly permanent top-flight qualities under Dr David Thornton to comfortably secure the second qualification spot.

Springboard

Both will now hope their performances will provide a further a springboard for a twin return to the British Open later this year as they start to focus contest preparations on gaining qualification from the Grand Shield in Blackpool in May.

"It's been great to return to Desford again," Ian Porthouse later told 4BR.

"It was also good to work with a band that had the appetite to really work hard to get what they wanted to achieve. The memories of old were great of course, but this is a band more than capable of creating new title winning ones for themselves too."

Defined levels

In a contest of defined levels of quality, Derwent Brass also showed that they are fast becoming an increasingly impressive top-flight contender. Under MD Jack Capstaff they repeated their 2023 result with a rendition of undeniable verve, if occasional raw excitement.

The remaining top-six places also fell into place, with a bold Sovereign Brass just ahead of a purposeful Newstead Brass and slightly hit and miss Enderby.

However, behind them the standard fell away somewhat as bands failed to unravel the technical as well as musical challenges of the Sparke score.

Few MDs were able to confidently draw together consistent ensemble cohesion to give the variant elements the required technical security of musical character — points not missed by the experienced duo in the box.

First Section:

'High Peak' certainly lived up to its reputation as an imposing musical challenge for the 15 bands in the First Section; the qualification attainment of eventual winners Langley and Jackfield secured only after the severest test of First Section, let alone potential Championship Section, credentials.

That may have come as a surprise to those not familiar with the clear technical and metaphorical challenges of Eric Ball's evocative score, but the struggles of the hard-working contenders spoke not of under estimation, but of simply a lack of consistent First Section quality.

It was therefore hard to disagree with judges Chris Wormald and Steve Sykes in their pre-results assertion that it had been "a very difficult piece" where the winners and second place were "absolutely crystal clear".

Both delivered their pre-results assessments with good humour, laced with acute observation. After a difficult contest it was needed.

Langley resolve

Langley were solid, confident and very well-directed by the experienced MD Cliff Parker — traits that held them in good stead as alongside the audience they waited for help to arrive for the stricken judges temporarily pitched into darkness in their tent at the back of the hall.

Understandably it took a little while for the lighting to be sorted (with some comic interplay between those whistling for help and those failing to understand the SOS signal), with the wait perhaps aiding Langley's admirable resolve.

It was one that saw enter precisely after the initial declamatory euph lead and which never lost its sense of cultured musicality thereafter; capturing the lyrical sense of vision, aspiration and eventual attainment required to make the narrative come alive.

Quality performance

"This was a quality performance and well handled — bravo to the MD — most enjoyable," wrote Chris in his remarks, whilst Steve added that it was a rendition "prepared with care and detail".

It deservedly gave Langley their first Area title and national final qualification since 2010, and whilst victory came with a joyful celebration, there was also a touching nod of thanks to the great Dennis Masters, their former conductor who died late last year aged 100.

"We would like to dedicate this victory to him," Cliff Parker said. "Without Dennis none of this could ever occurred. He was a wonderful man who held Langley Band close to his heart through his life. We will be raising a glass or two to him tonight!"

A celebratory drink too for Jackfield, who rounded off the contest with a confidently portrayed rendition that like Langley was able to add musical character to the well drilled basics under MD Ryan Richards.

Almost but not quite

After that it was a case for the judges of separating out bands that almost but not quite controlled their ascent to potential qualification attainment — from wayward single digit tuba technique to poor intonation, and especially in balancing dynamics in the deadened acoustic of the hall.

That was an aspect Chris pertinently added was "good" for hearing as a judge, even if it was difficult for a performer.

Kibworth clarity

It also gave the duo clarity in deciding who joined Langley and Jackfield in Cheltenham — with an engaging, if slightly idiosyncratic interpretation from Kibworth and MD Brendan Caddy eventually getting the nod over somewhat inconsistent top-six accounts from Staffordshire, Thoresby Colliery and Oddfellows Brass — each perhaps knowing they didn't quite do enough to claim a podium finish.

Behind them the standard became increasingly variable from bands that can only benefit from their exposure to a work that reiterated its ability to provide a true litmus test of First Section aspiration.

Second Section:

In contrast to 'High Peak', Philip Sparke's equally expertly crafted 'Triptych' inspired a host of excellent accounts in search of qualification in the Second Section.

Judges Sheona Wade and Andrea Price had a difficult task of separating the contenders -especially those who showed impressive ensemble and solo qualities in their pursuit of the two Cheltenham qualification places on offer.

In the end Raunds Temperance secured a deserved victory under Jonathan Pippen (who enjoyed a successful personal weekend in also playing with Desford), as they delivered a trio of contrasting movements displaying technical solidity and defined musical character.

"A performance full of quality — you got all the basics right, which allowed the music to come to life," wrote Sheona in her remarks, whilst Andrea also added that had been "a quality performance" that had "very clear intentions" showing that "…a lot of work had gone into the piece".

Continue to build

A delighted band spokesperson later told 4BR that the victory continued to build on the series of fine results the partnership has enjoyed over the last few years, as they returned to Cheltenham for the first time since 2021.

"We are lucky to have Jonathan Pippen at the helm and former MD John Hudson on solo cornet for this contest. Their experience has really pushed us forward."

Audley delight

There was also delight for Audley Brass as they secured an impressive qualification under MD Tom Hancock with a bold account that delivered their first national final appearance since 2018.

With the judges confirming that there had been "three very strong performances" to consider, as well as a number that displayed "lots of strengths", there was going to be at least one band disappointed at the result.

On this occasion it was Hathern who just missed out with a finely structured account under Desford principal cornet player Gary Wyatt, whilst hard on their coat-tails came the solid top-six finishers of Shirland Welfare, Tintwistle and Shirebrook Miners Welfare.

Little doubt

Elsewhere, bands will have been left in little doubt where they both impressed as well as faltered.

Sheona and Andrea gave comprehensive pre-results appraisals; from well observed tempo choices, musical flow, understanding of structure and line and the musical style required in each section, to soloists who played with self-confidence, notably the central 'Fantasy on One Note' movement.

All, from Leicestershire Co-operative to Glossop Old will have little cause for complaint, after showing evidence of the encouraging foundations on which to work on for the rest of the contesting year.

Third Section:

The Midlands will send a strong trio of qualifiers to the National Final after an enjoyable contest battle on Christopher Bond's colourful 'Corineus' set-work.

Each of the 16 contenders brought out the more vivid character elements of the music, with the best for judges Andrea Price and Chris Wormald coming from the trio of winners Thrapston Town, ahead of podium finishers Wellington (Telford) and Towcester Studio.

Their accurate pre-results assessments spoke of adherence to contesting basics as well as the control required to bring out the essential evocative character of the musical narrative so cleverly realised by the composer.

Super performance

Thrapston certainly showed that with a super performance bound together with an impressive collective confidence under conductor Nathan Waterman.

It also gave them a second successive Area victory (they were Fourth Section champion in 2023), as they delivered a vibrant account that met its musical objectives in full. They will be a band to watch out for come September.

Speaking about their success on their Facebook page they said: "Just wow! Following our promotion to the Third Section, we only went and won it at first time of asking. What a team! National Finals… here we come… again!"

Celebratory cry

There was a loud celebratory cry of joy following the announcement of the result for Wellington (Telford), after MD Ian Johnson used all his military nous and experience to draw a finely controlled rendition from his players to secure their first finals appearance since 2009.

Another band who left Corby well satisfied with their efforts was Towcester Studio as Neil Brownless inspired his ensemble to their first Cheltenham appearance since 2001 with a robust account full energised drama.

There may have been a little disappointment for supporters of top-six finishers Ratby Co-operative Mid, Amington and Wigston given the quality of their bold accounts, although they will also know that just a few too many little errors may have cost them in a contest of highly encouraging quality from top to bottom.

Impressive new venue

The Midlands Regional Championships may have found an ideal new home for its event at the Corby Business Academy, which was once again admirably run by Lesley Bentley and her team of volunteers.

Easy to get to with single level access and good facilities (including a super burger van), the main auditorium offered a comfortable listening experience with just enough acoustic life to keep the bands on their toes.

Packed with supporters it also made for a great atmosphere — one that was certainly in evidence on a fine weekend of untroubled contesting and one that will hopefully be repeated when the Fourth Section returns on Sunday.

Iwan Fox and Christopher Thomas

Theirs was a performance that had the extra elements of musical style and shaping, tempo relevance and good balance. It really did stand out from beginning to endtop section adjudicator David Hirst on Desford

Result:

Championship Section:

Adjudicators: David Hirst & Sarah Groarke Booth
Test Piece: Variations on an Enigma (Philip Sparke)

1. Desford Colliery (Ian Porthouse)*
2. GUS Band (Dr David Thornton)*
3. Derwent Brass (Jack Capstaff)
4. Sovereign Brass (Alan Gifford)
5. Newstead Brass (Martin Heartfield)
6. Enderby (Gareth Brindle)
7. Ratby Co-operative (Mareika Gray)
8. Blidworth Welfare (Gary Perrin)
9. Brass Band of Central England (Howard Evans)
10. Gresley Colliery (Craig Stevens)
11. Shirley (Tom Stoneman)
12. Bilton Silver (Brad Turnbull)

*Qualify for invitation to National Final

First Section:

Adjudicators: Steve Sykes & Chris Wormald
Test Piece: High Peak (Eric Ball)

1. Langley (Cliff Parker)*
2. Jackfield (Ryan Richards)*
3. Kibworth (Brendan Caddy)*
4. Staffordshire (Craig Williams)
5. Thoresby Colliery (Martin Heartfield)
6. Oddfellows Brass (John Davis)
7. Rushden Town (Adele Hudson)
8. Stamford Brass (Julian Bright)
9. Bedworth Brass (Jonathan Mott)
10. Carlton Brass (Chris Banks)
11. Foss Dyke (Gareth Westwood)
12. Hucknall & Linby MC (Paul Whyley)
13. City of Coventry (Lee Woodward)
14. Harborough (Ben Smith)
15. Burbage Buxton (Steve Critchlow)

*Qualify for invitation to National Final

Second Section:

Adjudicators: Sheona White & Andrea Price
Test Piece: Triptych (Philip Sparke)

1. Raunds Temperance (Jonathan Pippen)*
2. Audley Brass (Tom Hancock)*
3. Hathern (Gary Wyatt)
4. Shirland Welfare (Lynden Cooper)
5. Tintwistle (Jim Henson)
6. Shirebrook Miners Welfare (Luke Pallister)
7. Leicestershire Co-op (Ben Hewlett-Davies)
8. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Graham Cardwell)
9. City of Birmingham (Saphran Ali)
10. Avonbank (Colin Herbert)
11. Stourport on Severn (Oliver Wilson)
12. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Elizabeth Pearce)
13. Market Rasen (David Denley)
14. Glossop Old (Eliot Darwin)

*Qualify for invitation to National Final

Third Section:

Adjudicators: Andrea Price & Chris Wormald
Test Piece: Corineus (Christopher Bond)

1. Thrapston Town (Nathan Waterman)*
2. Wellington (Telford) (Ian Johnson)*
3. Towcester Studio (Neil Brownless)*
4. Ratby Co-operative Mid (Nicholas Garman)
5. Amington (Chris Barker)
6. Wigston (Ian Needham)
7. Shipston Town (Alex Bland)
8. Newhall (Kevin Holdgate)
9. Long Eaton Silver Prize (Sharon Stansfield)
10. Daventry Brass (Jonathan Mott)
11. Ibstock Brick Brass (Luke Atkinson)
12. Cleobury Mortimer Concert (David Nicholson)
13. Trentham Brass (Shaun Farrington)
14. Newark Town (Gary Wyatt)
15. Cubbington Silver (Kieron Howe)
16. Ireland Colliery Chesterfield (John Davis)

* Qualify for invitation to National Final

Fourth Section:

Adjudicators: Chris Wormald & Jack Capstaff
Test-piece: Music for Jock Tamson (Alan Fernie)

1. Whitwell Brass (Rob Deakin)*
2. Syston (Alex Bland)*
3. Coventry Festival (Allan Wheelhouse)*
4. Matlock (Chris Banks)
5. Bilton Silver (Rugby) Evolution (Jodie Kelsall)
6. Moulton 77 (Kirsty Woodhouse)
7. Wem Jubilee (Cathy Rutherford)
8. Croft Silver (Henry Duger)
9. Skegness Silver (Steve Walker)
10. Corby Silver (Jonathan Lockwood)
11. Bakewell Silver (Sarah Fellowes)
12. Brackley & District (Dave Howard)
13. Arrow Valley (David Hunt)
14. Malvern Hills District (Chris License)
15. Ilkeston Brass (Alex Bland)

*Qualify for invitation to National Final