ARTICLES

2003 London and Southern Counties Regional Qualifying Championships

Fourth Section
Sunday 16th March

Adjudicator: J.Davies



Test Piece: Lydian Pictures - Simon Dobson

The 4th Section here tends to be something of a mammoth in size and in the past few years we have seen upwards of 30 plus bands take the stage to be judges by just the one man in the tent. The numbers are down this year as seven bands were promoted up to the 3rd Section and so things should be a bit easier for all concerned.

Who will come out on top though is anyone’s guess but in the past few years there have been bands who have won and then retained their titles. Sandhurst were the last double winners in the past two years and before that both Canterbury Youth and Southend have held onto their title. Will this years winners be able to do the same in 2004 we winder?

When it comes to the Nationals themselves the bands from this region haven’t done to badly since 1998 and can boast a 3rd, 4th and 5th place, but last year’s four representatives cold only manage 10th, 12th, 15th and 20th. The last band to win the title was Brent in 1997 under Paul Fensom whilst before that you may have to go back to 1965 and Guildford Silver under a certain F. Renton. What ever happened to him?

Bletchington Silver
Conductor: S. Barwick

Last Year: DNC
Last Seven Years:
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

A bit of a mystery band for us at 4BR. We have no information on them, so sorry to all concerned and we hope you do well.

Castle Point Brass
Conductor: T. Davey

Last Year: DIS
Last Seven Years:
2002: DIS
2001: 23rd
2000: 25th
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

Castle Point were disqualified last year after a “irregularity” over registration, but they were starting to move in the right direction in the two years before that – if only in small steps. T. Davey is the man in charge as he has been since 2000.

Chalgrove
Conductor: S. Sizeland

Last Year: 6th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 6th
2001: 26th
2000: 4th
1999: 17th
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

Chalgrove will hope to get out of the pattern of one bad year, one good year as they have an odd pattern of results here since 1999. 17th, 4th, 26th! And then 6th last year. What will 2003 bring?

Charles Church Camberley
Conductor: G. Hughes

Last Year: 12th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 12th
2001: 20th
2000: 5th
1999: 17th
1998: 15th
1997: N/K
1996: 12th

Charles Church have been battling hard here over the years and came 5th in 2000. They dropped away in 2001 to come 20th but returned to form somewhat by coming 12th last time out under the same MD.

Cobham
Conductor: T. Howard

Last Year: DNC
Last Seven Years:
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: 25th
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Cobham return for the first time that we could find since 2000 when they came 25th under G. Wyatt. Don’t know anymore than that sorry.

Fulham Brass
Conductor: P. McLaughlin

Last Year: 21st
Last Seven Years:
2002: 21st
2001: 19th
2000: 17th
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: 15th

Fulham returned back here in 2000 after a couple of years away from the contest. Those two years in 2000 and 2001 saw them directed by K. Forsyth and last year W. Elsom took them into 21st position. They will be hoping for something a bit higher this time around.

Great Yarmouth Brass
Conductor: M. Gibson

Last Year: 13th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 13th
2001: 8th
2000: 22nd
1999: 7th
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Great Yarmouth made their debut here in 1999 and came 7th, and it has been the odd years since that they have done best. They were 8th in 2001 under F. Wells and then dropped back a few places to 13th last year under M. Zipfel. A new MD and hopes of a good return.

Haslemere Town
Conductor: G. Wade

Last Year: DNC
Last Seven Years:
2002: DNC
2001: 6th
2000: 27th
1999: 29th
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: 21st

Haslemere came 6th here in 2001 under G. Wade and that was a fine return after they had come 29th in 1999 and 27th a year later. Why they didn’t compete last year we don’t know but they return this year determined to repeat that 2001 performance.

Hemel Hempstead
Conductor: G. Weeks

Last Year: 7th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 7th
2001: 25th
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Hemel Hempstead came 25th in their debut performance in 2001 under G. Weeks but last year they made a dramatic leap and they came a very good 6th place. More of the same and another leap up the table could well be on the books.

Hilgay Silver
Conductor: A. Clarke

Last Year: 11th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 11th
2001: DNC
2000: 13th 3rd Section (rel)
1999: 9th 3rd Section
1998: 18th 3rd Section
1997: 3rd (prom)
1996: 7th

Hilgay have been battling it out here over the years and came 3rd in 1997 which led them to promotion up to the 3rd Section. They spent a few years there but were relegated back after coming 13th in 2000. Didn’t compete in 2001 but returned last year to come 11th under R. Smith.

Hosier and Dickinson (Watford)
Conductor: J. Woodrow

Last Year: DNC
Last Seven Years:
2002: DNC
2001: 17th
2000: DNC
1999: 11th
1998: 11th
1997: N/K
1996: 14th

Hosier are another band that has a long record here, but they also have a record of sometimes not making it to the contest in recent years. They were 11th in 1999 but missed 2000 and then came 17th in 2001 under S. Ward but failed to make it to the starting gate last year. J. Woodrow directs this time.

King’s Lynn Town
Conductor: D. Taylor

Last Year: 22nd
Last Seven Years:
2002: 22nd
2001: 12th
2000: 8th
1999: 27th
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

King’s Lynn have fallen away a bit since they came 8th here in 2000 under K. Mann. Since then it has been 12th in 2001 and then 22nd last year under K. Mann again. D. Taylor takes over the reins and will be hoping therefore to reverse the trend.

New Buckenham Silver
Conductor: A. Broadbent

Last Year: 26th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 26th
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

The second appearance here for the band that made its debut in 2002 and came 26th under the same MD. Hopes will be pinned on making a big jump up the prize table.

Potters Bar Town
Conductor: S. Groarke

Last Year: 24th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 24th
2001: DNC
2000: 31st
1999: 11th
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Potters Bar were 11th here in 1999 under the direction of M. Atkins but they fell away the next year t come 31st. A partial return to form and 24th under R. Cregan a twelve month ago they opt for S. Groarke this time and hopefully the female touch will pay dividends.

Somersham Town
Conductor: D. Wilson

Last Year: 18th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 18th
2001: 16th
2000: 24th
1999: 28th
1998: 14th
1997: N/K
1996: 19th

Somersham have battled away here over the past few years and came 14th in 1998 under D. Chambers but fell away to come as low as 26th and 28th in the following years. They have recovered somewhat to come 16th and 18th in the past two years and under D. Wilson they will be hoping for another step up.

Tadley Concert Brass
Conductor: P. Chapman

Last Year: 16th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 16th
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Tadley made their debut here last year and came 16th under the same MD. Apart from that we don’t know much else but they will be keen to move further up the prize list on their second appearance.

Thundersley Brass
Conductor: K. Schroeder

Last Year: 14th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 14th
2001: 14th
2000: 23rd
1999: 25th
1998: 3rd
1997: N/K
1996: 17th

In 1999 Thundersley came a lowly 25th place, but since then they have made solid progress and in the past two years they have more than held their own in large fields and have come 14th in the last two years. D. Hirst conducted last year but this time they will be directed by K. Schroeder.

Wantage Silver B
Conductor: D. Dullforce

Last Year: DNC
Last Seven Years:
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

A band making their debut this year. Wantage B are the younger siblings of Wantage who take part in the Second Section on Saturday. What are the odds on both of them coming away with some silverware?

Woodbridge Excelsior
Conductor: E. Howells

Last Year: 5th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 5th
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Woodbridge made their debut a twelve month ago and came 5th under E. Howells. We know nothing more than that at the moment, but on that form they should be one of the favourites to do well.

Past Winners:

2002: Sandhurst Silver
2001: Sandhurst Silver
2000: Canterbury Youth
1999: Canterbury Youth
1998: Stonesfield
1997: Brent Brass
1996: Southend
1995: Southend
1994: Wrentham
1993: KM B Band Medway
1992: Ellesborough
1991: Tadley Concert Brass

Winning Conductors:

2002: R. Burke
2001: R. Burke
2000: D. Cutting
1999: D. Cutting
1998: T. Brotherhood
1997: P. Littlemore
1996: M. Hurrell
1995: M. Hurrell
1994: M. Zipfel
1993: M. Andrew
1992: D. Wells
1991: P. Chapman

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: J. Maines
2001: N/K
2000: L. Landry
1999: L. Morgan
1998: L. Landry
1997: N/K
1996: M. White
1995: N/K

Past Qualifiers:

2002: Sandhurst Silver, Hungerford Town, Jubilee Brass, Ware Brass
2001: Sandhurst Silver, Fulbourn and Taversham, Ware Brass
2000: Canterbury Youth, St. Sebastian’s Wokingham, Amersham
1999: Canterbury Youth, St. Sebastian’s Wokingham, St. Albans
1998: Stonesfield, Becontree Brass,
1997: Brent Brass, Becontree Brass,
1996: Southend, Becontree Brass, Chichester City
1995: Southend, Crystal Palace, Chichester City

London bands at the Finals:

2002: 10th, 12th, 15th, 20th
2001: 3rd, 13th, 19th
2000: 11th, 15th, 16th
1999: 4th, 7th, 18th
1998: 5th, 8th

Last Years Result:

1. Sandhurst Silver – R. Burke 178pts
2. Hungerford Town – T. Crouter 176pts
3. Jubilee Brass (Oxford) – K. Membury 175pts
4. Ware Brass – K. Durbin 174pts
5. Woodbridge Excelsior – E. Howells 173pts
6. Chalgrove – M. Fricker 172pts
7. Hemel Hempstead – G. Weeks 171pts
8. Hangleton – C. Nonoo 170pts
8. Letchworth Garden City – T. Welch 170pts
10. Fulbourn and Teversham – P. Mott 169pts
11. Hilgay Silver – R. Smith 168pts
12. Charles Church Camberley – G. Hughes 167pts
13. Great Yarmouth Brass – M. Zipfel 166pts
14. Thundersley Brass – D. Hirst 165pts
15. Waterbeach Brass – C. Bell 163pts
16. Tadley Concert Brass – P. Chapman 162pts
17. Hook Norton Brass Band – R. Glynn 161pts
18. Somersham Town – D. Wilson 160pts
19. Godalming – D. Wright 159pts
20. Martlesham Brass – P. Benyon 158pts
21. Fulham Brass – W. Elsom 157pts
22. King’s Lynn Town – K. Mann 156pts
23. Grays Town Band – J. Bennett 155pts
24. Potters Bar Town – R. Cregan 154pts
25. Royston Town – J. Jones 153pts
26. New Buckenham Silver – A. Broadbent 152pts
27. Fakenham Town Band – D. Wakefield 151pts

Disqualified: Castle Point Brass – T. Davey

4BR Prediction:

This will be hardest set of predictions we have had to make this year and to tell you the truth it has been rather like pinning the tail on the donkey when it has come to our choices. No disrespect to any of the bands, but form at this level can fluctuate wildly from year to year (just look at some of the bands records). These are our tips and if we get them all right in the correct order 4BR will buy each member of the winning band a pint.

1. Woodbridge Excelsior
2. Chalgrove
3. Hemel Hempstead
4. Hilgay Silver
5. Thundersley Brass
6. Tadley Concert

Dark Horse: Charles Church Camberley

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