For the fourth time in the organisations history, Beaumaris can celebrate a National title to their name after the class of 2008 took home the First Section honours at Harrogate on Sunday afternoon.
Fourth time
Conducted by Gwyn Evans the North Wales band repeated the triumphs of 1991, 1992 and 2000 to take the £1,000 top prize ahead of the fancied Skelmanthorpe Band directed by John Roberts.
Disappointing
On a day when the overall standard in the section was shown to be rather disappointing, these two bands stood out head and shoulders above the rest as Philip Sparke’s enjoyable ‘The Saga of Haakon the Good’ proved to be good, bad and downright ugly in the performances of many of the contenders.
There was no denying though that the top two bands were the only pair of contenders on the day to get to grips with the work both technically and musically..4BR
Best of the rest
The best of the rest saw Kirkbymoorside Town directed by John Woodward take the final podium place on offer in third, whilst the remaining top six prizes went to Helston Town from the West of England, Blackburn & Darwen for the North West and Glossop Old from the Midlands.
Atmospheric
There was no denying though that the top two bands were the only pair of contenders on the day to get to grips with the work both technically and musically, with the judges, Melvin White and Steve Sykes, just opting for the more atmospheric and exciting interpretation of the Welsh over the cleaner more secure rendition from the Yorkshire band.
Test Piece:
The Saga of Haakon the Good, Philip Sparke
Adjudicators:
Melvin White & Steve Sykes
Results:
1. Seindorf Beaumaris, Gwyn Evans, 8, 192
2. Skelmanthorpe, John Roberts, 10, 191
3. Kirkbymoorside Town, John Woodward, 7, 189
4. Helston Town, John Hitchens, 11, 188
5. Blackburn and Darwen, Nick Sheppard, 12, 187
6. Glossop Old, Jon Davies, 15, 185
7. Hathern, Dave Newman, 6, 183
8. Otterbourne Brass, Lt Col Chris Davis OBE, 9, 182
9. Newbridge (Celynen), Paul Holland, 2, 181
10. Stannington, Derek Renshaw, 5, 180
11. Phoenix West Midland Brass, David Maplestone, 14, 179
12. Roberts Bakery, Colin Cranson, 16, 178
13. Bo'ness and Carriden, Mike Marzella, 3, 177
14. Clackmannan & District, Paul Kiernan, 17, 176
15. Ipswich and Norwich Co-op, Robin Norman, 1, 175
16. Jersey Premier Brass, Tim Pritchard, 13, 173
17. Wansbeck's Ashington Colliery, Nigel Steadman, 4, 172
Best instrumentalist:
Paul Hughes (Solo Cornet) Seindorf Beaumaris
