Sunday 17, 22:27:10
Farewell to the 2019 Regional Series
Well, what a truly great month its been. Five test pieces that have really done their job and congratulations to the Kapitol Music Panel for those.
Congratulations to all of the winners and qualifiers for the National Finals in September and October.
Regardless of your placing though, remember why you went to the contest in the first place and be proud of what you did on stage. A big well done also to the adjudicators. It's no easy job and they have put in the preparation, just like anyone else.
Our thanks go to all of the regions for their help and hospitality.
We hope you've enjoyed our coverage over the past month whether you've agreed with our comments or not. It's only an opinion.
News reports from this weekend to follow in the days ahead.
Goodnight from Stevenage and the 2019 Regional series.
London and SC
Sunday 17, 22:12:29
2019 Champion: Friary Brass Band
Result:
Championship Section:
Test Piece: Seascapes (Ray Steadman-Allen)
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs and Michael Fowles
1. Friary Brass Band (Chris King)*
2. Zone One Brass (Richard Ward)*
3. Redbridge (Dr David Thornton)
4. Haverhill Silver (Paul Filby)
5. Wantage (Paul Holland)
6. Aveley & Newham (Alan Duguid)
7. Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson)
8. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)
9. Thundersley (Melvin White)
10. Jersey Premier Brass (Simon Jones)
11. Hitchin (Martin Heartfield)
12. Regent Brass (Paul Archibald)
*Top two bands qualify for National Final
Cornet: Richard Straker (Friary Brass Band)
Euphonium: Friary Brass Band
Tenor Horn: Friary Brass Band
Trombone Section: Friary Brass Band
London and SC
Sunday 17, 21:14:29
Championship Section: overall thoughts and predictions
A contest where Seascapes really sorted the bands out good and proper today. Nobody sunk though, although a couple could have been forgiven for issuing distress signals and asking for assistance.
The quality rose to the top and here's the conundrum that Rachel Riley would even be challenged with: three bands in serious contention for two qualification spots. Two into three just won't go so someone will miss out.
Friary and Wantage really delivered, but so did David Thornton's lyrical reading (that was tight and clean) with Redbridge. The central section and approaches from those three could be the difference today. Fine, small margins.
Behind those three the other podium spot is really up for grabs (only the top four get announced on stage here) Haverhill, Thundersley and East London all putting a case forward.
Dr Robert Childs and Michael Fowles (the latter on the Music Panel that selected the piece and conducted Desford to victory in the Midlands) will know what they want and don't want today. Simple really
4BR Prediction:
1. Friary
2. Wantage Silver 'A'
3. Redbridge
4. Haverhill
5. Zone One
6. Thundersley
Dark Horse: East London Brass
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London and SC
Sunday 17, 21:08:21
Championship Section:
12. Zone One Brass (Richard Ward)
A reading of lyrical warmth from Zone One to close the contest and one that could give the judges a bit of food for thought.
The quality playing was there, but it just needed more solidity as errors and glitches crept in, but the descriptive picture was painted.
Sarabande was tasteful, hints of exotic climes were there, but it had you yearning for more. Our steamer heads for home for the last time with drive and energy. Uncle Albert Trotter, the proud Londoner is awarded the honour of taking the wheel for the last moments of the journey. Good close and a safe docking.
Solid reading but possibly in need of more dynamic contrasts to really make its mark today.
London and SC
Sunday 17, 20:47:22
Championship Section:
11. Hitchin (Martin Heartfield)
Hitchin return to top section contesting after around 30 years and can be proud of their efforts today. That in part is down to Captain Heartfield who delivered an engaging reading based on good foundations and common sense.
The opening was solidly delivered without any unnecessary risks. This was sturdily bolted together. Nice close.
The central section was shaped so well. It was very easy on the ear and the ensemble sounded content.
As it heads for home, the steamer becomes a touch tired but its intent and endeavour gets it home. There are a few technical challenges but nothing sinister and it’s a cracking finish to dock.
London and SC
Sunday 17, 20:26:04
Championship Section:
10. Haverhill Silver (Paul Filby)
Having come third in the Set Test at Butlins in January, Haverhill took to the stage to deliver a reading that was never short of confidence or self belief.
Not everything came off though. There was boldness to the colours with rough edges to the textures.
Neat and tidy interplay in the opening section had you craving for a touch more. The middle section saw it taking time to find still waters, but you never feared the May Day call would come.
Steamer tested a bit in the closing section but the Captain and gasoline get it home.
Not a bad close, but it gets through some choppy seas.
Enjoying our live coverage?
As you know 4BR doesn't put up paywalls or charges for accessing our huge amount of content, as we see what we do as something that helps promote all that is good about the worldwide brass band movement.
However, we do need support to help develop the 4BR site further and bring you exciting innovations, so we are asking our readers to consider making a contribution in support of our independent journalism.
London and SC
Sunday 17, 20:06:42
Championship Section:
9. Friary (Chris King)
What a delightful reading this was from Maestro King and Friary. So well thought out and laid out. The tempo’s are a touch under than over and that gives the first movement the chance to build in stature together with the excitement. Tasty stuff.
The Sarabande is luscious and a delight. There’s the odd blemish, but nothing alarming.
The steamer sets off at a fine pace in the closing section. They’ve heard the Shipping Forecast on Radio 4 and want to get home before the weather turns. So much conviction in what the MD wanted to do and his trust in the players unquestionable.
Right in the mix, but what will the judges think of it? They couldn’t have given any more in the hunt for five on the trot. The MD tailored a reading that could well tickle the judges taste buds..
London and SC
Sunday 17, 19:43:11
Championship Section:
8. Aveley & Newham (Alan Duguid)
An account from Aveley that was like a mash up of The Onedin Line, Howards Way and Triangle (tv references that those of a certain age will identify with).
The potential was there, but it couldn't make its mind up which way it was sailing or what is narrative was.
The reading from the MD was measured and thought out. Caution, nervous tension and errors just started to creep in during the first movement and it lost its way somewhat.
Good intent in the central section, but with the uncertainty of just where it's supposedly heading being evident.
The finale was spirited with the good playing coming through but again moments of unease are evident as it reaches it journeys end.
London and SC
Sunday 17, 19:20:35
Championship Section:
7. Wantage (Paul Holland)
Wantage demonstrate their Championship Section credentials with a cracking show under Paul Holland.
Excellent quality allied to detail. Nicely coloured, bold without being overly powerful with the balanced textures mixing nicely. Lovely close to first movement.
The Sarabande was lovely on the ear. This is moulded so well, and the MD knows what he wants to do and the ensemble respond. Nice and secure with just that teasing hint of exoticism. It could be milked far more than it is, but so nicely done.
It's not a tud thumper of a steamer as it starts the journey home. The 'less is more' effect from the MD works here. Great detail in solo and ensemble lines. What a sop. So well done and a cracking close.
The good ship Wantage under Paul Holland off the back at a podium spot at the Scottish Open last November, could be pointing in the direction of the River Thames and stopping of at Kensington Gore.
Enjoying our live coverage?
As you know 4BR doesn't put up paywalls or charges for accessing our huge amount of content, as we see what we do as something that helps promote all that is good about the worldwide brass band movement.
However, we do need support to help develop the 4BR site further and bring you exciting innovations, so we are asking our readers to consider making a contribution in support of our independent journalism.
London and SC
Sunday 17, 18:40:47
Championship Section half way thoughts:
An intriguing contest that hasn't really flickered into life yet. Redbridge off number two and David Thornton delivered his Seascapes lyrical trademark account of the past couple of weeks. It's out in front. But is it beatable?
Behind them a toss up between Thundersley and East London, but its fine margins.
Game on for second half
4BR Prediction:
1. Redbridge
2. Thundersley
3. East London Brass
