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2011 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship — Postcard from Stevenage

London may be last in declaring its champions, but that may be about the only thing that it is now lagging behind with...

In all sorts of ways, London & the Southern Counties is catching up and even overtaking other banding regions.

Optimism

The sense of optimism that has been shown through the improvement in the playing standards over the past few years, was certainly confirmed in many of the sections on an enjoyable weekend in Stevenage  – notably the Championship Section.

Now there are at least three rising contenders tugging on the coat tails of Redbridge, the impressive leaders of the pack.

Greater depth

For the first time in a long while, there was a greater depth in quality to the top section here than in at least a couple of other regions.  

After Friary Guilford’s win in the First Section at Harrogate last year, the region will also send more than just single each way bets to Cheltenham too.

Good odds

It may be asking a great deal to hope for victory at the Albert Hall, but the Lower Section Finals should be a different matter – there are good odds on at least a brace or more of potential podium finishers.

Not only was there a great deal of good playing to enjoy, but the standard of conducting at the various contests was a bit of revelation too.

Elegant path


Jeremy Wise continues to beat an elegant path to the Albert Hall, but elsewhere there was real talent to enjoy in action from Richard Ward at Zone One, to the likes of Mark Ager and Jayne Murrill in the First Section, the experienced musical sense of Stephen Tighe and Melvin White in the Second, the energetic Kevin Woodger in the Third and Ian Stewart’s bravura enthusiasm in the Fourth.

They were not alone either.

Must visit

Away from the music, Dave Hobbs and his team have turned the rather nondescript surroundings of the Arts & Leisure Centre at Stevenage into a ‘must visit’ brass band contest that is slickly run and very welcoming.

The backroom support is excellent, with bands ushered on and off stage with the minimum of fuss. Even the provision of the results is now so speedy that it is posted up on the regional website before 4BR could get a sniff!

It’s a splendid effort from a splendid, hard working team.  

Noggins

And although the acoustic in the Main Hall remains a problem, the bands have become accustomed to it and the successful MDs use their noggins to take edge of the extremes of the dynamic range. If only some other MDs at other regional venues would have done the same this year.     

Perfect

The Gordon Craig Theatre continues to offer a compact, dry sounding auditorium that although not ideal for the bands themselves, is almost perfect for the man in the box.

Class apart

Dennis Wilby for one didn’t miss a thing - good, bad or indifferent – and there was plenty of good individual playing on show, especially from the masterful Martin Britt on soprano with Redbridge, who really was a class part on the weekend.

Things have certainly changed in London, and although they may still be the last region to declare its champions, it certainly isn’t the region that brings up the rear in any other way.

Chris Thomas



Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Petworth Town Band

July 7 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, TUBA and BASS TROMBONE. We are an enthusiastic band with a full calendar of engagements. We would welcome you to join us and our inspirational MD Paula Streeter.


Epping Forest Band

July 7 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Concert Brass Poynton

July 4 • Concert Brass Poynton: No Contesting - Not a learners Band. Rehearse on Wednesday Evenings between 8.00 to 10.00pm (short comfort break). We seek a front row cornet and a Tenor Horn and A Tenor Trombone and Bass Trom too..


Steve Pritchard-Jones

FTCL LTCL LDBBA DipMusEd GMus QTS NPQH
Conductor, Adjudicator, Teacher


               

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