ARTICLES

2003 Remembered

John James continues his look back at 2003. The last three months of the year saw Fairey retain their National title, Pontins, the all new Mineworkers and the Scottish and US Opens, whilst Alexandra Kerwin was the pick of the soloists in the land.

October 2003

At the National Championships Faireys took the title of Champion Brass Band of Great Britain and made it two in a row while Welsh bands Tredegar and BAYV Cory took second and third. Adjudicators David Read, William Relton and Geoffrey Whitham listened as the Test piece: Theme and Eight Variations from the Enigma (Opus36), Edward Elgar arr. Eric Ball returned a results of

1. Fairey FP (Music) Band
2. Tredegar
3. Buy As You View Cory
4. Black Dyke, Dr
5. Fodens Richardson
6. Brighouse & Rastrick

Black Dyke were a little on edge before the contest with the news that their principal cornet player Roger Webster suffered an accident when falling down stairs at home. If a little battered and bruised he made the London Finals but his presence could not stop the Fairey FP (Music) going top of the 4BR rankings. They now led BAYV Cory by around 150 points with previous leaders Yorkshire Building Society dropping to third and Fodens Richardson's dropping 2 places to fourth in the table. It came as a surprise when the National Champions, Fairey FP (Music) announced exclusively to 4BR that their Principal Cornet player, Ian Porthouse had decided to retire from competitive playing with the band from Christmas.

Pontins was once again a resounding success and on this occasion the weather was perhaps a bit kinder than last year but it still rained! Festival Music was a popular choice for the Championship Section which proved a stern test. The Fun Factory Ballroom heard the following results announced -

1. Skelmanthorpe
2. Hepworth
3. Fishburn
4. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
5. Ashton Under Lyne
6. Glossop Old

In the First Section BHK (UK) Horden Band conducted by Major Peter Parkes looked to add this title to their National Finals success but Wrexham Brass turning in a sparkling performance of Resurgam took the win. Wrexham Brass (N.E.W.I) gained their first win since the band changed their name from Rhos Silver in 2001. at the college.

1. Wrexham Brass
2. United Norwest Co-op Milnrow
3. Knottingly Silver
4. Ibstock Brick Brass
5. Longridge
6. BHK (UK) Horden Band

Llanrug took the Second Section playing Oceans (Goff Richards) when a tremendous contest unfolded for adjudicators Roy Newsome & Brian Buckley.

1. Llanrug
2. Wire Brass
3. Silk Brass AstraZeneca
4. Chalford
5. Meltham & Meltham Mills
6. Broseley

The third section again went to Wales, the third section of the weekend to go to the principality, as Beaumaris B took the trophy.

1. Beaumaris B
2. Whitworth Vale & Healey
3. Bream Silver
4. Boarshurst Silver
5. United Norwest 2000 Brass
6. Carlton Brass

The midlands took the trophy in the Fourth Section as Phoenix West Midlands Brass took the win.

1. Phoenix West Midlands Brass
2. Besses Boys
3. Wellington (Telford) Brass
4. Lockwood Brass
5. Pemberton Old B
6. Porthaethwy Menai Bridge

News of the Areas was not far behind as the adjudicators for the 2004 North West Regional Brass Band Championships on Sunday, March 14th were being announced. The men who the bands will have to impress being Dr Roy Newsome (Championship section) Colin Hardy (First section) Alan Hope (Second section) David Horsfield (Third section) Maurice Priestley (Fourth section)

The local contest programme recommenced and the Fleetwood Contest saw Championship Section Freckleton Band again produce a winning performance with Dobcross Silver taking runners up place. In the other sections the prizes went to 2nd Section Blackpool Brass,Valley Brass (Haydock) : 3rd Section Nelson Brass, Lostock Hall Memorial : 4th Section Rivington & Adlington, Standish : Youth Section St. Helens Youth Training, Townley High School Youth

The West Wales Brass Band Association held their annual contest at the Memorial Hall Burry Port and this well respected contest was completed with Championship Section - Burry Port Town leading Tongwynlais. In the other sections the results unfolded with First Section - Ammanford Silver, Rogerstone : Second Section - Newbridge Celynen, RAF St. Athan : Third Section - Pontypool Brass, Briton Ferry Town : Fourth Section - Goodwick Brass, Vale of Glamorgan

Maintaining its international flavour, the SCABA Autumn contest attracted foreign entries with two bands from Belgium (regular contestants) Kortritk Brass, Brass Band Panta Rhei Gent and one band from France Brass Band Nord Pas de Calais, making their first visit to the contest. The 54th SCABA Autumn Contest held in Folkestone was saw the Championship Section go to Aveley & Newham with Welwyn Garden City in 2nd place. In the other sections First Section Egham led home Haverhill Silver : Second Section - Brass Band Panta Rhei Gent, Littleport : Third Section 1st were Chinnor , 2nd. Shanklin Town : Youth Section - Enderby Youth + Solent Youth.

On Sunday 12th October 2003 Sellers International Youth Band picked up 3 awards out of 4 at the “Youth in Brass Entertainment Contest” in Slaithwaite, Huddersfield whilst at the other end of the banding spectrum it was confirmed three bands were to be demoted to the Grand Shield for 2004 - Travelsphere Holidays, Leyland and Besses o' th' Barn - the three bands that made up the bottom places at this years Open. They accumulated the most points over the two-year qualifying period of 2002 and 2003. However, the organisers have also made the decision that three bands, instead of the usual two will be promoted back to the Open from the Grand Shield contest in 2004.

On an educational front Grimethorpe Colliery U.K. Coal Band supported the Brass and Percussion workshop organized by the Yorkshire and Humberside B.B.A and the Scottish branch of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors held a workshop, targeted at lower section bands, where Alan Fernie gave a talk on music selection and rehearsal techniques featuring his own arrangements/compositions. Ray Farr launched a brand new brass band conducting course at Durham University and this news came in tandem with the announcement that Tony Small, one of the Principality's foremost developers of youth brass band talent has been awarded a honorary Master of Music degree from the University of Wales. The award was made "in recognition of his contribution to youth music and community music in South Wales".

Remaining in Wales the Buy As You View Cory Band appointed Rodney Newton as “Music Associate”. He wrote a major work for the Band’s Wildfire CD, called The King of Elfland’s Daughter which received very good critical acclaim and the band will be giving the work it’s World Première in the Royal Northern College of Music Festival of Brass in January 2004.

There was quite a bit of movement all across the banding arena on the conducting front - Besses o' th' Barn Band appointed immensely talented Jonathan Corry as resident conductor and Andrew Duncan accepted the Principal Conductor position with Whitburn following their Open success. Broxburn Public appointed Bruce Wallace as the band's new Musical Director and after an exhaustive search Lancashire Life Morecombe Band appointed Chris Larder BA (Hons) PGCE (ex principal Euphonium Rothwell Band).

Eccleston Brass, the Lancashire band appointed Ian Bateson as their new musical director whilst Leicester’s only city centre based brass band, Foresters Brass 2000 appointed 22 year old Peter Collins. He played principal cornet with the band for several years took up the position on graduation as a trumpet player from London’s Royal College of Music, gaining a PG Dip (Distinction).

That was not the only movement as Bestwood Black Diamonds announced that Brian Draper is to conduct the band for the foreseeable future and Eagley Band were to be taken by Steve Rogers who is currently studying for his Brass Band Musicians degree at Salford University as well as playing flugel horn for Brighouse and Rastrick Band. On a playing front top section band Hepworth informed the band world that Chris Pannell, principal horn with the National Youth Brass Band on no fewer than seven courses had joined them.

The BBC nominated Principal trumpeter of the London Symphony Orchestra Rod Franks, and acclaimed trumpet soloist Alison Balsom as judges for the final rounds of BBC Radio 2’s Young Brass Soloist 2004 competition to be held early next year. The pair will adjudicate both semi-finals in January and the grand final at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in February. The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester is also going to stage one of the most artistic and far reaching festivals in brass music history as adverts began to appear for the 2004 RNCM Festival of Brass which will take place at the RNCM from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th January 2004.

This year saw the 111th Anniversary of the Perth Fortress Salvation Army Band, and the 90th Anniversary of the Fortress Youth Brass Band and retaining their name Travelsphere Holidays confirmed their intention to renew their £25,000 sponsorship deal of the Travelsphere Holidays Brass Band throughout 2004. After going through some very difficult times Unity Brass sponsorship package by the Oddfellows. Oddfellows Events & Communications was also secured.

Jedforest Instrumental Band had a rewarding day at the Borders Slow Melody Competition with the Dobcross Band Social Club - 2nd March, Waltz & Hymn Tune Contest, NWBBA Open Championships and 40th Wincanton (formerly Mere) Solo & Quartet Contest completing the contest events in the month.

The month saw yet another trip secured to the Europeans for 1st Old Boys SeaCat Band as they blistered the opposition in Irish Championships. The results were overall Grade 5 / Unaffiliated Brass Limavady Grammer School, Dundrod Silver : Grade 4 Brass - Dungarvan Brass Co. Waterford, Poyntzpass Silver : Grade 3 Brass – Roughan Silver, Newtownards Silver : Grade 2 Brass - 3rd Carrickfergus, St. Joseph's Brass : Championship Brass 1st Old Boys Association Silver, Laganvale. The Ireland ABC Results: Unregistered / Small Band Section went to St. Mary's Brass & Reed , Maynooth and the Intermediate Brass Overall Intermediate were Dungarvan Brass Band.

On the continent the Internationaler Jan Koetsier Wettbewerb - Competition for Brass Quintets was held in Munich and the Prix Passau International Brass Ensemble Competition was also completed in Passau Germany.

The winner of the 4BarsRest National Finals Competition run in association with Normans Musical Instruments and Yamaha was won by Douglas Brown from Loans in Troon in Scotland and we looked forward to presenting him with his prize of a brand new Yamaha Cornet at the forthcoming Scottish Open Championships in Glasgow.

November 2003

The Butlins Mineworkers Contest at the Skyline Resort, Skegness was held on the 29th & 30th November 2003 and was, on its first occasion in this format most well received. An entertainment element had been added to the Championship section and the contests were held over two days.
The inaugural winners were Desford from Carlton Main with the results unfolding across the other four sections - First Section - Horden BHK (UK), Pontardulais : Second Section - Snibston and Desford Colliery, Hopkins Solicitors Blidworth Welfare : Third Section - Dearham, Shirland Welfare Training : Fourth Section - Kirkby Colliery Welfare, Dinnington Colliery

Perhaps eclipsing the Butlins Mineworkers Contest was the Scottish Open Brass Band Championships. The inaugural contest featuring some of our top bands was held in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. ‘Paganini Variations’ by Philip Wilby was set for adjudicators Dr. Robert Childs, Steven Roberts and Iain Brownbill to choose the winner of this new ’major’. The top six featured bands from Scotland, England and Wales with the winners coming from the home city of Glasgow. The top read -

1. Scottish Co-op (Russell Gray), 11, 194
2. Hepworth (Mark Bentham), 10, 193
3. Sellers International (Phillip McCann), 7, 192
4. Tredegar (Richard Evans), 3, 191
5. Kirkintilloch (Frank Renton), 6, 190
6. Fishburn (Graham O'Connor), 4, 189

The Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships were held in the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama but going back to the senior contest it was regrettable though when a Fodens Richardson Band spokesperson cited 'too heavy a workload' as the reason for their late withdrawal from the Championships.

A Scottish star was also the 2003 British Open Solo Champion. Alexandra Kerwin playing the Bb cornet and not her usual soprano at the Scottish Co-op Band to defeat the best players from around the UK and the Rest of the World to claim the title by a three point winning margin. The other prize winners were Intermediate Slow Melody Championship: Jamie Ogden (Rothwell Temperance) : Junior Slow Melody Championships: Jan Norwicki (Dobcross Youth)
In the Quartet contest the Senior Quartet Champions of Great Britain were Carlton Main Frickley Colliery with the Junior Quartet Championship being taken by Shirland Miners Welfare Training.

Following her success Alexandra Kerwin was invited to play at the Swedish Brass Band Championships with the Solna Brass Band.

Grimethorpe Colliery UK Coal directed by Garry Cutt became the Spennymoor Brass in Concert Champions for 2003 for the 12th time in the 27 year history of the event. Garry Cutt adding this award to the Masters title he took with Leyland. Sellers International and Ever Ready followed them in the places but once again Alexandra Kerwin shone taking the overall sololist award and Kirsty Abbotts gained another award for Cralton Main as best principal. Billy Millar once again demonstrated class on the euphonium and Philip Harper again came up with a sparkling arrangement to take that award.

Fodens, missing out on Spennymoor, travelled across the pond and took the inaugural U.S. Open Brass Band Championships with the Brass Band of Central Florida taking the runners-up place.

The Rankings for November covered the busy period from the National Finals through Spennymoor and looked like Fairey FP (Music) would remain top until the end of the year following Fodens Richardson's withdrawal from the Scottish Open. Fodens moved up a couple of places following their American win and Grimethorpe's Spennymoor victory give them their first decent points and Skelmanthorpe moved up with their Pontins result.

Staying in the UK now a number of contests were held with some tremendous playing on display.

The Wilkinson Northern Open an Eric Ball music only ‘own choice’ contest at the Theatre Royal, St.Helens attracted a large entry with the top prize being taken by Glossop Old. Some familiar names came in the frame as the results went with Section A - Glossop Old, Pennine Brass : Section B - Old Silkstone, Wire Brass : Section C - Boarshurst Silver, Timperley : Section D - Harlech Silver, Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass.

Staying in the North West the NWABBA Manchester District Open was opened to bands outside the district and was taken by Stalybridge Old. The overall results were Championship Section - Stalybridge Old, Moston & Beswick Manchester : Second Section - Haslingden & Helmshore, Skelmersdale Prize : Third Section - Hebden Bridge, Diggle : Fourth Section – Greenfield, Dobcross Youth 2003 : Youth Section - Rochdale Borough Youth

At the Tameside Youth Brass Festival Smithills School Senior with Chris Wormald played with real conviction to take this renowned contest whilst Horbury Victoria gave a simple, but very clean performance, to finish in 2nd place.

Besides the earlier open Championship, Scotland hosted the Fife Charities Band Association Carnegie Hall contest where Kingdom Brass led Newmilns & Galston to the top prize in each of the march, hymn and test pieces whilst the other sections saw Best 4th Section Band - Dunfermline Town : Best 3rd Section Band - Tullis Russell Mills : Best 2nd Section - Barrhead Burgh : Best 1st Section Band – Newmilns & Galston

Unison Kinneil conducted by Allan Ramsey created a little bit of history they won the Whitburn Invitation Contest for the third consecutive time with Scottish Co-op once again adding a trophy to the shelf with the runners-up place.

The vibrant Scottish banding scene had not finished yet and the Borders Entertainment Contest played to a high of fifteen bands where local St. Ronan's Silver Band topped the field by four points from Barrhead Burgh and Jedforest Instrumental.

In the principality of Wales the South East Wales BBA Contest at Treorchy saw Tongwynlais Temperance take the top section from Burry Port Town with Markham & District, Tylorstown Valley Lines, Severn Tunnel, Radyr & Morganstown taking the other sections.

The North Wales Brass Bands Associations annual championship was led by Rhyl Silver with Wrexham Brass again performing well after the Pontins result. Llanrug Silver were again in top form in section 2 and Deiniolen and Conwy Town capped a good year with the third section prizes. Porthaethwy/Menai Bridge, Beaumaris Youth A and Northop Youth each claimed prizes in the other sections.

The 57th South West Brass Band Association contest was held at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay where JAG Mount Charles with Russell Gray at the helm ensured they ended their year on a high. Torbay Brass took the 1st Section , Helston Town the 2nd with St Stythians, Hayle Town Jag Mount Charles Youth and Camborne Town Youth all ended up cheering at the end of the contest as well.

Malton Brass 2003 saw Harrogate band come good with Yorkshire Co-operatives in close attendance. Class B and Lockwood Brass were maintaining their momentum and in Class C Nestle Rowntree B Band took the spoils.

Leicester Brass Band Association`s Contest was a huge success with a total of 33 Bands travelling from far and wide. The Open Section was gained by Kibworth with Snibston & Desford Colliery, Carlton Brass and Thoresby Colliery Youth all capitalised on their good form in 2003 to take their respective sections.

There were six traditional classes plus a new “Novice” section that drew 24 young players new to contesting that brought the total entry to well over 60 for the Solo, Duet and Quartet to be held at Shirland Welfare in Derbyshire. Thurrock Arts Council Youth Solo, Duet and Quartet Contest and the Cromer & Sheringham Band solo contest was also held at which members of The Cawston Band returned home with a couple of 1st places.

The Buckinghamshire BBA Festival Contest, West Midlands BBA Annual Contest and Gloucestershire Brass Band Association Annual Own Choice Contest rounded out perhaps the busiest month of band contesting in the calendar but the competition arena didn’t end with these. The National Association of Brass Band Conductors Young Conductor Competition was also got underway with Mark Vause, musical director of the Langley Band, John North, musical director of Nelson Brass, Jin Tanaka, Jonathan Corry Resident Conductor to the Besses o’the Barn all progressing from the heats.

Written to celebrate the Rugby World Cup the latest brass band composition from the pen of Philip Wilby - 'The Haka' to be premiered by the University of Warwick Brass Band coincided with Prof. Philip Wilby taking the role of adjudicator for the Lindley Clock Tower Composition of the Year2004 competition.

There was again movement around the stands as Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel Band gained two new substantial additions to the bands line-up with Leon Renilson, former principal cornet the Leyland Band rejoined on top chair. And Will Evans joined the band on principal E-flat bass.

Haydock Band announced the departure of Ian Brownbill as the band's musical director after three years and Brighouse and Rastrick parted company with Ian McElligott. James Gourlay was announced as the new MD at Brighouse and Rastrick and a number of names came into the reckoning for Haydock Band not least of which was Lynda Nicholson.

In the lowers sections Hazel Grove Brass Band appointed Tom Emery, Becontree Brass Band welcomed Graham Sheldon, Darley Dale Band engaged Russell Grey and Ian Knapton joined Ireland Colliery Chesterfield Band. These moves came at the time Neil Samuel decided to resign his position as Principal Trombone Leyland Band to concentrate on his developing conducting commitments with the Rainford Band. The changes didn’t end here however as Cosham Concert Brass took John R Hill LRSM ARCM RM to partner them and Rhyl Silver Band tasted immediate success on their first contest with Gareth Westwood in charge.

On an educational front City of Chichester Band held a successful brass workshop where David Hirst, musical director of the Brighouse & Rastrick Band focussed on pieces by Edward Gregson, Philip Wilby in addition to Bramwell Tovey’s ‘Coventry Variations’

Astley Youth Band’s tour of the French Alps next year will coincide with the arrival of the Tour de France no doubt raising the profile of brass bands and Ocean Brass are set to forge further links with the USA when they join Jericho Brass from Chattanooga in twin concerts

To round out the home news Skelmanthorpe Band gained a sponsorship deal from consultancy company The Innovate Group, but news for 2004 began to come forward with details of the Invited Bands for the Masters 2004 and the provisional details for the Grand Shield, Senior Cup and Senior Trophy where the promotion and relegation details were finalised the test pieces Les Preludes, Journey Into Freedom and John Golland’s “Concerto for Band” were chosen as the test pieces.

The South Australian Brass Band Championships were completed whilst in European competition Lyngby-Taarbaek Brass Band and their conductor Jesper Juul Sørensen won the Danish Championship. Dr. Childs directed Tomra to victory in the Korpscupen 2003 Entertainment Contest in Norway and Göteborgs Brass Band took the Swedish Brass Band Championships. Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern regained the Swiss title for the first time since 1995 and booked their place in Glasgow in 2004.

Scandinavian players were busy all through November as the first-ever National Solo Contest took place. After a preliminary round and final Richard Kendrick - euphonium took the title. Eikanger took SIDDIS title being the top entertainment prize in Norway. In the first division Kopervik Musikkorps came home first with Stangaland Brass and Follese Musikklag taking the 2nd and 3rd divisions respectively.

4BR continuing growth and popularity was being reflected in our ‘hit’ rate and our on-going project is to construct the biggest on-line results archive available for anyone to use through our site.

December 2003

The final month of the year and as usual there was lots of fund raining activity around and about as our concert details testified Derwent Brass 10 piece in particular travelling a fair old distance to visit the Mainz Christmas Festival in Germany.

The Fairey FP (Music) Band confirmed that they were to appear in Europeans but not the Masters next year when the band would in fact be making a tour to Belgium. The press release however, still gave no news on their new Top Man.

The movement of players and conductors continued with top bands and lower section outfits both in the news. After a fruitful 12 year partnership Alan Widdop resigned as Musical Director of Marsden Silver Band and work and family commitments meant Leyland lost their kit player Brendan Rayner. This was not the only Leyland Band news to reach us in December as they announced that Garry Cutt had agreed to become their new professional conductor.

Wotton Silver welcomed back Ronnie Carr as their new main man in the middle as Carlton Brass ended 2003 on a very high note after successfully negotiating a 5 Year sponsorship deal with Nottingham based Lakeside (Lakeside being part of The Healthworks Co (Notts) Ltd whose business interests focus mainly on leisure facilities).

After much discussion about the radio coverage of bands ‘Sounds of Brass’ gained a bigger audience as the Channel Island of Guernsey joined the airwaves

The Hollingworth and Longdendale Band celebrated 150 years this year with a reunion of former members at Glossop Old Band Room where Hollingworth gave a concert.

Steven Tan won the London and South heat in the competition to find the best young brass band conductor in the land and local contests were held as both the St. Dennis Solo and Quartet Contest and the Fife Charities Band Association solos and ensemble contest were held.

Composition competitions were much in vogue in 2003 and the response to the Fodens Richardson Award saw an original entry of 122 now reduced to 23 hopefuls and this came together with the news that the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain announced that the inaugural Denis and Maud Wright Composition Award would be presented in the very near future.

Major contests were held both in Belgium and Holland.

Brass Band Willebroek became the Champions of Belgium yet again giving them the title for the 12th time and making it a hat trick of wins in the past three years. The result also means that they will be representing their country at the European Championships in Glasgow in Scotland in 2004. Brass Band Buizingen took the 2nd place as Metropole Brass Band, Mons St. Georges Brass Band and Young Brass Band Willebroek also won their respective sections.

The Dutch Nationals were held for the 23rd time on 5th and 6th December. with 38 bands competing in the five divisions. BB De Waldsang took the top prize BB Heman, BB Excelsior Ferwert, BB Looft den Heer Betegumermolen and BB Apollo all in the prizes and winning the lower sections.

A look back at the articles we at 4BR featured in 2003 showed a tremendous diversity, not only featuring our extensive contest coverage but also looked at a whole range of subjects penned by some of the most respected writers and celebrities in brass banding today.

‘If I was Dictator Maximus’ saw both Howard Snell & by Richard Evans give us their thoughts on current banding issues whilst Derek Southcot, David Read, James Scott and The Band of Yorkshire Imperial Metals were superbly profiled by Chris Helme.

Dr. Harold Hind’s 1934 book entitled "The Brass Band". Was featured as was the 135th anniversary of the birth of Herbert Clarke, possibly the most famous cornet player the world has ever seen and heard.

The James Shepherd Versatile Brass Australian adventures and article on Eric Ball’s time spent in Cornwall proved most interesting diversions.

A Short Appraisal of Brass Bands in Popular Music Culture was well received and 4BR completed an overview (Making a CD - Part II) with Trevor Caffull, Sales and Marketing Director at SP&S Ltd about the process of making a CD in the 21st Century.

Stan Lippeat gave us a most interesting insight into the Flugelhorn Ancient & Modern whilst ‘Raising the Wind’ looked at the work of comedy star and trombonist Jimmy Edwards.

Phil Lawrence gave us his thoughts as a composer and we also considered which 10 test pieces deserved a revival in 2003.

Dave Griffiths commenced an important series on brass band percussion playing as we took a peek at how the stage show ‘Brassed Off’ was produced and performed and went behind the scenes at the Beeb to find out how LTTB got on the air.

4BR checked out the "Discussion Forum" called "The Mouthpiece" and reproduced The British Federation of Brass Bands Business Plan for the future.

All in all a series of articles covering the whole spectrum from banding history and playing to general interest and personal thinking.

The end of year rankings saw only slight change in the order of the top ten between BAYV Cory and Fodens Richardson and so we leave 2003 with a top twenty of :-

1. The Fairey FP (Music) Band
2. Buy as you View Cory
3. Fodens Richardson
4. Yorkshire Building Society
5. Black Dyke
6. Brighouse & Rastrick
7. Tredegar
8. Whitburn
9. Grimethorpe Colliery UK Coal
10. Leyland
11. Scottish Co-op
12. Sellers International
13. Kirkintilloch
14. Ever Ready
15. Ransome
16. Flowers
17. Cwmaman Institute
18. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel
19. Carlton Main
20. JAG Mount Charles

To end 2003 we added sound clips to our site for our Scottish Open coverage, planned a even more extensive rankings list and with over 12,000 votes cast in the 2003 4BR Awards we once more proved that we are the most popular brass band site in the world!

John James
© 4BarsRest

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