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2003 North of England Regional Qualifying
Championships
Fourth Section
Sunday 16th March
Starts 12.30am
Adjudicator: Stan Lippeatt
Test Piece: Lydian Pictures - Simon Dobson
The 4th Section will be judged by the experienced
Stan Lippeatt and he will be looking for bands at this level that
can really master the basics and then possibly put something into
musically shaping a very tricky test piece. The bands would certainly
have enjoyed preparing the work and the audience should enjoy listening
to it, but who will come out on top and make the trip to Dundee?
At National level the bands from the North East have struggled
of late and they can only lay claim to three successive 8th places
as the best they have done in the past five years. Last year the
two representatives came 16th and 17th so whoever qualifies they
will want to improve on that. The last time in fact we think a band
from the North East actually went on to win at National level was
way back in 1984 when Boldon Colliery came back as victors. It is
long overdue for another band to win it.
Askam Town
Conductor: D. Henley
Last Year: 8th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 8th
2001: 7th
2000: 7th
1999: 3rd
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
Askam came 8th last year which was a drop of one place from 2001.
It has also meant that in the past three years they have fallen
away somewhat from the 3rd place they got here in 1999. They will
be hoping therefore for a return to form and a mention in the prizes
again.
Billingham Silver
Conductor: V. Evans
Last Year: 10th 3rd Section (rel)
Last Seven Years:
2002: 10th 3rd Section (rel)
2001: 10th 2nd Section (rel)
2000: 7th 2nd Section
1999: N/K
1998: 3rd 3rd Section
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
Billingham fell through the relegation trap door after coming 10th
in the 3rd Section last year and that has meant they have now dropped
two sections since 2000 when they were competing in the 2nd Section.
They will hope that they have reached the bottom then and the only
way is up.
Burneside Brass
Conductor: R. Lincoln
Last Year: 12th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 12th
2001: 5th
2000: DNC
1999: N/K
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
Burneside we understand made their debut at the contest in 2001
when they came a very creditable 5th place. However that was replaces
by 12th place last year so they will be very keen to reverse that
and once more come in the top six.
Dunston Silver
Conductor: A. Seymour
Last Year: 9th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 9th
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: N/K
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
We understand that Dunston made their debut here last year when
they came 9th. Before that we have no mention of them, so they will
be hoping to improve once more on their second outing here.
Durham Constabulary
Conductor: TBA
Last Year: 14th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 14th
2001: DNC
2000: 10th 3rd Section
1999: N/K
1998: 4th 3rd Section
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
Our friends from the Durham Constabulary came 14th and bottom of
the pile last year. We don’t know as yet will be taking the
band here but last year they were directed by P. Cuff. A few years
ago they came 4th in the 3rd Section so they will be hoping that
after last year they are on the road back up.
Five Rivers Brass
Conductor: T. Griffiths
Last Year: 7th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 7th
2001: 8th
2000: DNC
1999: N/K
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
We understand from the records that Five Rivers made their debut
in 2001 when they came 8th and last year they went one better and
came 7th. How they will do this year we don’t know but it
would be a good result if they keep the improvement going and come
in the top six.
Kirkby Lonsdale
Conductor: A. Greenwood
Last Year: 2nd
Last Seven Years:
2002: 2nd
2001: DNC
2000: 8th
1999: N/K
1998: 6th 3rd Section
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
Kirkby Lonsdale came runners up here last year and then went on
to come 17th at the Nationals, although they were a touch unlucky
as they were drawn number 1, very early in the morning. The band
didn’t compete in 2001 but were 8th in 2000 so they returned
much stronger and a better band. More of the same may well be on
the cards this time.
Lockwood Brass
Conductor: N. Barnes
Last Year: DNC
Last Seven Years:
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: N/K
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
We area little puzzled by Lockwood Brass as they may or may not
be the same band that won the 2nd Section in both 1972 and 1984.
We may be wrong though and we hope someone will tell us but by all
accounts they could well be the band to beat.
Marske Brass
Conductor: A. Prest
Last Year: 11th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 11th
2001: 7th 3rd Section (rel)
2000: 9th 3rd Section
1999: N/K
1998: 6th
1997: 2nd
1996: N/K
Marske came 11th last year which was their first year back in the
section after a couple of years in the 3rd Section where they had
come 9th and 7th. That seemed to be a little bit of a struggle but
they have shown that they can cut it here and were runners up back
in 1997. Maybe not this time but they will be keen to make a mark.
Ripon City
Conductor: J. Shepherd
Last Year: DNC
Last Seven Years:
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: N/K
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
Another band we know nothing about we are afraid other than they
may be conducted by the great James Shepherd. If they are then they
couldn’t be in better hands. Lets hope they do well.
Sacriston Colliery
Conductor: R. Wallace
Last Year: 4th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 4th
2001: 12th
2000: DIS
1999: N/K
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
Sacriston came 4th last year which was a real leap of improved
form from the 12th place of 2001. Both of these performances were
directed by R. Wallace so much of the credit must go to him for
that great jump up the prize list. If they can do it again then
they could be making a trip to Dundee later in the year. The band
were disqualified in 2000 but we don’t know why – just
in case you wondered what DIS meant.
Stanhope Silver
Conductor: S. Robson
Last Year: DNC
Last Seven Years:
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: N/K
1998: 10th
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
Stanhope return to the contest for the first time since 1998 we
think and so it is welcome back. This year they will be directed
by Steve Robson who directed Ferryhill to the title here in 2000.
That should hold them in good stead so they will be looking to make
a positive impression.
Trimdon Concert
Conductor: A. Holmes
Last Year: 5th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 5th
2001: 10th
2000: 13th
1999: 2nd
1998: 10th
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
Trimdon have a bit of an up and down record here over the past
few years and can boast a runners up spot in 1999 and 5th place
last year, but also 13th in 2000. However since then they have improved
on each outing and 5th place a twelve month ago was a real sign
that they are back to form. In 1999 they went on to come 8th at
the National Finals. We think they may just be ready for another
return.
Ulverston Town
Conductor: B. Seddon
Last Year: 13th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 13th
2001: 9th
2000: 10th
1999: N/K
1998: 7th
1997: N/K
1996: N/K
Ulverston habe bobbed about around the bottom of the section for
the past three years and came 13th last time out. They will certainly
be looking to improve on that and with a new MD at the helm they
should possibly force their way into the top 10 at least.
Past Winners:
2002: Hetton Silver
2001: Swinton and District Excelsior
2000: Ferryhill Town
1999: Bearpark and Esh
1998: Westoe (STHCT)
1997: Murton Colliery
1996: Ovington Tyndale
1995: Kirkby Lonsdale
1994: Horden Colliery
1993: Stape Silver
1992: Barnard Castle
Winning Conductors:
2002: K. Wheatley
2001: R. Rutter
2000: S. Robson
1999: A. Hall
1998: C. Bentham
1997: J. Bell
1996: D. Wright
1995: A. Greenwood
1994: D. Evans
1993: M. Breckon
1992: G. Hutchinson
Test Pieces:
2002: Suite in B Flat – G. Jacobs
2001: Sinfonietta Pastorale – H. Geehl
2000: The Haslemere Suite – P. Graham
1999: Indian Summer – E. Ball
1998: Solemn Melody – Walford – Davies and Scenes from
a Comedy - Hopkinson
1997: Pennine Moors – D. Barry
1996: Mexican Fiesta – R. Hanmer
1995: Little Suite for Brass No1 – M. Arnold
1994: The Journeyman – R. Steadman - Allen
1993: Impromptu
1992: The Seafarers
Adjudicators:
2002: R. Roe
2001: M. Priestley
2000: I. Robinson
1999: N/K
1998: N. Childs
1997: S. Swancott
1996: N/K
1995: M. Brownbill
Past Qualifiers:
2002: Hetton Silver, Kirkby Lonsdale
2001: Swinton and District Excelsior, Bearpark
and Esh
2000: Ferryhill Town, Lanchester
1999: Bearpark and Esh, Trimdon Concert
1998: Westoe (STHCT), Dearham
1997: Murton Colliery, Marske Brass
1996: Ovington Tyndale, Barrow Concert
1995: Kirkby Lonsdale, Ovington Tynedale
North of England bands at the Finals:
2002: 16th, 17th
2001: 8th, 15th
2000: 8th, 20th
1999: 8th, 9th
1998: 13th, 15th
Last Years Result:
1. Hetton Silver – K. Wheatley 180pts
2. Kirkby Lonsdale – A. Greenwood 178pts
3. Stape Silver – M. Breckon 177pts
4. Sacriston Colliery – R. Wallace 175pts
5. Trimdon Concert – G. Vardy 174pts
6. Aycliffe and Brancepeth – M. Priestley 173pts
7. Five Rivers Brass – A. Griffiths 172pts
8. Askam Town – D. Henley 171pts
9. Dunston Silver – A. Seymour 170pts
10. Barnetby Silver – J. Havercroft 169pts
11. Marske Brass – A. Prest 168pts
12. Burneside Brass – R. Linclon 167pts
13. Ulveston Town – J. Blenkarn 166pts
14. Durham Constabulary 165pts
4BR Prediction:
It is always difficult to be accurate with predictions at this
level but we will give it our best shot on the rather limited information
we have at our disposal. With that in mind then we think two bands
stand out and we will go for Lockwood as our spies tell us they
area band on the way up very quickly and Kirkby Lonsdale. Trimdon
should come third followed closely followed by Sacriston, Dunston
and Marske with Five Rivers our dark horse.
1. Lockwood
2. Kirkby Lonsdale
3. Trimdon
4. Sacriston
5. Dunston
6. Marske
Dark Horse: Five Rivers
© 4BarsRest
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