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2017 Regional Championships
Second Section previews & predictions

4BR looks forward to the Rhapsodic action in the Second Section at Perth, Torquay, Bedworth and Durham on a piece that is posing real demands on bands about understanding its true identity.

Middle East

‘Rhapsody in Brass’ has already become the Area Championship equivalent of ‘The Return of Martin Guerre’ - although this returning soldier’s tale of conflict is not one dreamt up by an imposter, even if the bands who have performed it have struggled somewhat to fully understand its war ravaged identity.

Nearly forgotten past

Like the protagonist’s problems slipping into his old shoes, bands in the North West and Yorkshire also found the beautiful craftsmanship of a nearly forgotten past, difficult to fit comfortably into than they first thought they would: The opening section with its anxious optimism, followed by the melancholic reflections of the central interlude and joyful release of the finale. 

on occasions it has resembled fashion conscious women trying to slip oversized feet into a pair of 75 year old high-heeled Manolo Blahniks4BR

Fair play though, they certainly gave it their best - although on occasions it has resembled fashion conscious women trying to slip oversized feet into a pair of 75 year old high-heeled Manolo Blahniks.

Superb test

Dean Goffin’s work has been a superb test of style as well as substance - something the adjudicators in Blackpool and Huddersfield made clear.  It’s just that not too many bands, a bit like the wife of Martin Guerre, have been able to marry the two together comfortably as they explore its real personality.

How the 46 contenders at Perth, Torquay, Bedworth and Durham try and work out an answer to this perceived identity theft will be interesting then - although they will all surely benefit from the experience of trying.


Coaburn
2016 Champion: Coalburn Silver

Scotland

The last time the National trophy headed back north of the border was in 1997, and the nation’s representatives haven’t secured a single top-six place in the last six years at least. What hope for any of these 11 decent looking contenders then if they get through to Cheltenham in September?

Hopefully plenty, as there are a few here who will fancy their chances of catching the ears of Mike Kilroy and Sheona White in the box - including last year’s third and fourth placed finishers Arbroath Instrumental and Broxburn & Livingstone and Dalkeith & Monktonhall who impressed at the Scottish Challenge Shield.

Jedforest Instrumental, the promoted Campbeltown Brass and Croy Silver could also battle for the top-six places alongside our dark horse of St Ronan’s Silver.

4BR Prediction:

1. Arbroath Instrumental
2. Dalkeith & Monktonhall
3. Broxburn & Livingston
4. Jedforest Instrumental 
5. Campbeltown Brass
6. Croy Silver 

Dark Horse: St Ronan’s Silver


City of Bristol
2016 Champion: City of Bristol

West of England 

The West of England has an impressive record of achievement at the National Finals - with wins in 2005, 2006 and 2011, as well as top-six finishes in five of the last six years. Last year’s representatives ended runner-up and fifth, so a great deal for the 16 rivals to live up to if they get through.  
 
It promises to be a cracking contest, headed by last year’s Area champion, City of Bristol, returning to defend their title after their outstanding podium finish at Cheltenham. 

They will be the bookies favourite, whilst the likes of Bodmin Town, Bream Silver and the super young talents found in Camborne Junior Contesting could all be in with shout alongside Otterbourne, Ocean and our dark horse of Denmead to try and impress Paul Norley and Stephen Roberts in the box.

4BR Prediction:

1. City of Bristol
2. Bodmin Town
3. Camborne Junior Contesting
4. Bream Silver
5. Otterbourne Brass
6. Ocean Brass 

Dark Horse: Denmead Brass


Ibstock
2016 Champion: Ibstock Brick Bras sin action at Cheltenham

Midlands

Hathern’s National win in 2004 now seems a while ago, but in the last few years the Area has sent strong contenders to Cheltenham that have come close to adding to that victory. Three consecutive runner-up finishes and a fourth since 2011 is a decent return, although last year’s qualifiers ended up in the midfield places.

The Second Section is the smallest field at the Midlands Championship, with just 11 bands taking part – although they do tend to be busier than most in contesting terms, so it could be a difficult task for Derek Renshaw and David Hirst in the box on Sunday. 

City of Coventry comes to Bedworth backed by solid recent form as do the likes of Bakewell, Hucknall & Linby and Foss Dyke.  Avonbank (Evesham) and Glossop Old make up our potential top-six finishers alongside our dark horse of Daventry Brass.

4BR Prediction:

1. City of Coventry
2. Bakewell
3. Hucknall & Linby
4. Foss Dyke
5. Avonbank (Evesham)
6. Glossop Old

Dark Horse: Daventry Brass


Dunston
2016 Champion: Dunston Silver

North of England

Another small field of just the eight bands for Leigh Baker and Richard Marshall to compare and contrast on Saturday morning, although they could be in for a bit of a tasty treat.

The region can boast a National victory in 2012, and a runner-up finishes 2014, although only one band represented the Area at Cheltenham last year.  Hopefully two will make the trip down this time as they could be in with a shout - especially J36, who came runner-up in the Third Section National Final and has really made an impact on the contest stage. 

East Riding of Yorkshire and Ellington Colliery are solid contenders and could well battle to join them, whilst Ashington Colliery, newly promoted Bearpark & Esh, Durham Miners Association and Houghton Brass could be snapping at their coat tails with NASUWT Concert Brass.

4BR Prediction:

1. J36
2. East Riding of Yorkshire
3. Ellington Colliery
4. Ashington Colliery
5. Bearpark & Esh
6. Durham Miners Association

Dark Horse: Houghton Brass and NASUWT Concert Brass



Regent Hall Concerts - Royal College of Music Sackbut Ensemble

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Welsh Guards

Friday 21 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Midlands Championships Preview Evening

Sunday 23 February • Summit Centre . Kirkby in Ashfield . Nottinghamshire NG17 7LL


Contest: North West Regional Championships

Sunday 23 February • Winter Gardens Complex, Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HU


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 28 February • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Boarshurst Silver Band

February 17 • Boarshurst Silver Band, NW Championship Section, requires a BBb player, flugel, and front row cornet player. Under MD Jamie Prophet, the band have an ambitious and varied calendar for 2025, including NW Area, Spring Festival and Whit Friday.


Mid Rhondda Band

February 14 • Mid Rhondda Band are looking for the following players : Front Row Cornet, Solo Trombone, Eb Bass, Kit and Tuned Percussionists. The band will be competing in the 3rd Section at the Welsh Area. Contest & concert engagements in the diary for 2025


Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band

February 13 • Reading Band (current joint 1st place in the L&SC 4th section grading tables) needs a TENOR HORN for the regional contest in Stevenage on 15th March! Rehearsals in Woodley (RG5) on Thursday evenings with our MD Stephen Bucknell.


Craig Roberts

BA (Hons), MA
Conductor / Adjudicator


               

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