Marsden Silver Prize claimed the First Section National Championship title with a performance that in its way echoed the single minded determination of explorer Dr David Livingstone.

Led by conductor Ben Dixon, success on 'Beyond the Falls — The Smoke That Thunders' drew on deep reserves of fortitude and commitment to overcome the huge challenges that stood between them and their path to glory — physical, emotional, and ultimately musical.

Elation

Little wonder that after a turbulent year of upheaval and uncertainty following the flooding of their Yorkshire bandroom, the elation at the announcement of the result was as thunderous as that felt by the Scottish missionary at first seeing the magnificent 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' falls.

It came after a high-quality battle with the podium places going to rivals Blackburn & Darwen and Roche Brass, snapping like Zambezi River crocodiles at their heels. Just behind came South Yorkshire Police, Parc & Dare and East of England Co-op as a host of bands found inspiration and excellence of their own in their explorations of Andrew Wainwright's colourful filmatic score.

None though could quite match Marsden, with the judges unanimous in their immediate appreciation of their approach and the endorsement of their deserved victory.

David Hirst's written remarks spoke of the clarity of the approach and execution — "neat and crisp", whilst David Thornton praised the "freedom and confidence" shown. Mark Wilkinson felt that there had been "lots to admire" in the "tempos and balance" in what had been, "a very musical performance."

Local community

Speaking later to 4BR, Marsden's Band Manager, Kathleen Coton spoke not only of the commitment of the players in securing a memorable victory, but also that of the local community the band has proudly represented since 1889.

"It's going to take time to really sink in what an achievement this is. The spirit and the unity within the band has brought us all together in recent months but so has the support from the village to get us back on track.

The appeal to help financially continues, but the help we have already received has been invaluable. We're hopeful of putting on a Christmas concert to thank everyone, but to do so a National Champion will make it very special."

Kathleen added: "We have so many people to thank — especially Ben Dixon for his inspirational belief in us. There is still a great deal to do, but with a new musical team of Glyn Williams and Tommy Tynan and with a concert with Brighouse & Rastrick already booked in, the next chapter on our return to the Championship Section starts straight away."

Proud

The very first congratulations though came from guest conductor Ben Dixon, with the Musical Director of Grimethorpe Colliery Band adding: "To see all of that hard work and determination rewarded today was incredibly special. I'm so proud to have played a part in their journey over the last few weeks. A thoroughly deserved result for a fantastic group of people."

Marsden's victory came late in an absorbing contest enjoyed by an appreciative audience as well as the composer. He had taken the opportunity on a visit from the USA help celebrate his parent's Golden Wedding to hear a work that drew some of its rich colourings, textures and rhythms from music that surrounded the family on growing up in southern Africa.

With the bands having qualified for York by playing his 'Variations on was Lebet' he spoke of his admiration for the contenders on the "much harder challenges posed"by 'Beyond the Falls' — adding that he was "glad to be sat in the hall listening and not on stage playing the notes!"

18 good performances

For the judges those challenges were not missed, with David Hirst both complimenting the "18 good performances" but also highlighting some of the recurring troubles that separated the best from the rest — from the "exposed" opening, and the "inconsistencies"that arose soon after.

The "top-end" in the results displayed what he called the "nuances, subtleties, consistency and musical spirit" of a work of easy listening flow but that also hid its traps in plain sight.

It was though, as he offered his congratulations to the composer, "pleasing to listen to so many good performances of a difficult and interesting work."

As the very best bands at the recent British Open found out, David's appreciation of a composer's score structures are very well known — as are both Dr David Thornton and Mark Wilkinson who also found success in their different banding roles at Symphony Hall.

Consistent

That consistent analysis was replicated in their findings here — Marsden's big, but cultured tonality backed by solid solo and ensemble execution from an informed take on the score by Ben Dixon. There was a classiness to the playing that should hold them in good stead for even sterner challenges to come.

So too runner-up Blackburn & Darwen under MD Daniel Thomas who successfully employed an antiphonal set-up of cornets and trombones to give a more direct sound into the hall, but which was still admirably clean edged and balanced. It was an inventive approach, tempered and informed rather than simply showy and cosmetic.

There was both ensemble and solo quality displayed Roche Brass led by Matt Green in third — epitomised by the assured playing of 'Best Instrumentalist' contribution of principal cornet Rob Commons. The band would have made the long journey back to Cornwall buoyed by a fine performance that never lost sight of its ultimate reward.

Step up

So too the other top-six finishers — led by last year's Second Section National Champion, South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker). They continued their impressive step-up in class, whilst Parc & Dare (Dewi Griffiths) also provided further evidence of their solidity at this level with a detailed account to finish fifth ahead of a nicely shaped rendition from East of England Co-op (Mark Ager).

Thereafter it was the usual story of inconsistencies, minor errors and occasional misinformed approaches, but with the technical challenges of Andrew Wainwright's score within the scope of all the bands, the differences were small in definition, even if the overall levels between those challenging for the honours and those establishing their credentials at this level were still clear.

Collective confidence

The sympathetic stage acoustic also added to the collective confidence for all bands — from the atmospheric opening (all the percussion teams added colour as well as effect) and face to face battles as well as reflective personal doubts that featured a great deal of classy solo work, to the triumphant but not overblown endings.

Those who filled the midfield placings in particular could reflect on performances that emerged with considerable credit, whilst those towards the bottom end were not too far off the pace on an enjoyable, detailed score to explore for MDs with a touch of missionary zeal as well as informed musicality in their veins.

Malcolm Wood

It's going to take time to really sink in what an achievement this is. The spirit and the unity within the band has brought us all together in recent months but so has the support from the village to get us back on trackMarsden Silver Prize Band

Result:

Test piece: Beyond the Falls — The Smoke that Thunders (Andrew Wainwright)
Adjudicators: David Hirst, Dr David Thornton, Mark Wilkinson

1. Marsden Silver Prize (Ben Dixon)
2. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas)
3. Roche Brass (Matt Green)
4. South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker)
5. Parc & Dare (Dewi Griffiths)
6. East of England Co-op (Mark Ager)
7. Fulham (Alan Thomas)
8. Lochgelly (Chris Shanks)
9. York Railway Institute (Dr David Lancaster)
10. Raunds Temperance (Jonathan Pippen)
11. Tyldesley (Neil Samuel)
12. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Mareika Gray)
13. Haydock (Mark Quinn)
14. Rushden Town (Adele Hudson)
15. Lympstone (Chris Spreadbury)
16. Hucknall & Linby MC (Chris Ledger-Knapp)
17. Bournemouth Concert Brass (Lloyd Bartlett)
18. Durham Miners Association (Stuart Gray)

Best Instrumentalist: Rob Commons (cornet) — Roche Brass