The halls of Groby Community College were once again ringing with the sound of slow melodies, duets, air varies and quartets, as the Leicestershire Brass Band Association’s Spring Solo Contest got underway on Sunday 5th April, performing to the trusted ears of Adjudicators Sharon Stansfield, Keith Leonard and Ian Bartram.

Impressive

An impressive turnout from local bands, as well as those from further afield showed that the tradition of brass banding continues to thrive in the Midlands.

Battles

Over 50 competitors under the age of 14 battled it out in the two youngest sections, with increasing entries in the Open sections also.

Shirland Band continued its recent successes claiming titles in a Junior Slow Melody and both Junior Quartet sections.

An impressive turnout from local bands, as well as those from further afield showed that the tradition of brass banding continues to thrive in the Midlands4BR

Fine array

There was also a fine array of instruments on display; Soprano Cornets in the Junior Slow Melody and three Bass Trombonists competing in the Open Slow Melody.

This year the first prize went to Bass Trombonist Stephen Lomas who was delighted to finally add a slow melody title to his increasing successes in the art of Air and Variations.

Leading the way

Leading the way in the Open Quartets were the ladies from Amington band, closely followed by a foursome from City of Coventry.

A number of special prizes were also awarded in the Open sections including the highest placed Duet under 19 years of age, which went to the brother and sister act of Alcha and Smain Mokrane from Bestwood band.

Results:

Section A: Junior Slow Melody (Ages 10 and under)
1. Josh Watson — Harborough
2. Alice Watson — Harborough
3. William Davies – N/A

Section B: Junior Slow Melody (Ages 11-14)
1. Catherine Ashley – Shirland
2. Smain Mokrane — Bestwood
3. Alcha Mokrane — Bestwood

Section C: Junior Slow Melody (Ages 15-18)
1. Ian Mildowski — Hathern
2. Lewis Squires — Shirland
3. Adam Jones — Harborough

Section D: Open Slow Melody
1. Stephen Lomas — Hucknall
2. Emma Walton — Shirland
3. Steve Barham – Leics Co-op

Section E: Junior Air Varie (Air and Variations)
1. Adam Jones — Harborough
2. Adam Whittle — Shirland
3. Lewis Squires — Shirland

Section F: Open Air Varie
1. Stephen Lomas — Hucknall
2. Steve Barham – Leics Co-op
3. Chris Lock — Derwent

Section G: Open Duets
1. Sam Scutt & Graham Jacklin – Leics Co-op
2. Richard Capstack & Nick Lear – Leics Co-op
3. Patricia & Peter Woodings – Newhall

Highest placed under 19 Years: Alcha and Smain Mokrane — Bestwood

Section H: Junior Hymn Tune Quartets
1. Shirland A
2. Hathern Youth
3. Hathern Training

Section I: Junior Quartets
1. Shirland Cornets & Flugel
2. Shirland MW
3. Shirland Euphs and Troms

Section J: Open Quartets
1. Amington
2. City of Coventry
3. Newhall

Section K: Open Percussion
1. Luke Timson – Bestwood

Highest placed under 19 Years: Luke Timson – Bestwood