The inexorable rise of Brunel Brass continued at full steam at Cheltenham on the weekend as John Winterflood led his band to victory in the Second Section.

High quality

The 2009 Third Section National champions added the Second Section title to their ever-growing CV of major successes to beat off the challenge of Leicestershire Co-op and South Yorkshire Police in a high quality contest between 17 well-matched contenders.

Formed just five years ago, Brunel delivered a winning performance of Philip Sparke’s ‘Portrait of a City’ off the number 9 draw that certainly resonated with the judges Roger Webster and Steve Sykes after Leicestershire Co-op under the baton of Graham Jacklin had set the bar very high off the number 1 draw.

Winning post

MD John Winterflood was understandably delighted as he stood in front of the famous winning post at the side of the Cheltenham racecourse.

"This band just keeps getting better," he admitted. "It’s full of young, intelligent, well-motivated musicians, who respond to my request just to play to the best of their ability. The last five years have been absolute magic."

One of the band’s more experienced campaigners, former Sun Life principal cornet Paul Richards, won the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award for his stunning soprano work, and he was able to enjoy the victory with his son playing on stage with him and his parents cheering them both on in the audience.

"It’s unbelievable. I’ve won more titles in the past five years than ever before, and to do it with the support of the family makes it so special."

This band just keeps getting better. It’s full of young, intelligent, well-motivated musicians, who respond to my request just to play to the best of their ability. The last five years have been absolute magicJohn Wointerflood

Perspective

Now the First Section beckons, although John was keen to point out that even with this victory things will be kept in perspective. "It’s a gigantic leap up for the band, so we know it could be hard, but it won’t stop us from enjoying ourselves."

Fine rendition

It was a performance that proved to be just enough to repel any further challengers despite a fine rendition from Yorkshire Police under Leigh Baker nearly snatching victory from their grasp as the very last band to play.

Quality form first to last

In fact, the quality of the contest from first to last was something that rather surprised the judges, with Roger Webster admitting that they were impressed at the overall standard.

"There was a great performance off the number 1 draw,” he said. “It did make us wonder as the day went on, just where these bands had been hiding. We had a great day in the box."

Steve Sykes agreed: "The overall standard was much better than the last time I judged at this level five years ago. The winners were really consistent and had a great rhythmic shape to their playing."

Consistency

The judges also revealed that it was also a question of consistency that stood out on the day, with one performance in particular (understood to be Morecambe) having two outer movements that were perhaps the best of the day, but a middle section that was one of the weakest.

It meant that the North West contender had to eventually make do with sixth place overall under the direction of Foden’s bass player Andy Warriner, just behind two performances of quality form fourth placed Thundersley conducted by Jeremy Wise and Pendennis Brass Falmouth directed by Steve Thomas.

Result:

Saturday 24th September
Test Piece: Portrait of a City (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicators: Steve Sykes & Dr Roger Webster

1. Brunel Brass, John Winterflood, (West of England), (9)
2. Leicestershire Co-op, Graham Jacklin, (Midlands), (1)
3. South Yorkshire Police, Leigh Baker, (Yorkshire), (17)
4. Thundersley, Jeremy Wise, (London & Southern Counties), (4)
5. Pendennis Brass Falmouth, Steve Thomas, (West of England), (8)
6. Morecambe, Andrew Warriner, (North West) (16)
7. Llwydcoed, Gary Davies, (Wales), (10)
8. Bilton Silver (Rugby), David Stowell, Midlands, (5)
9. Becontree Brass, Adam Cooke, (London & Southern Counties), (3)
10. Barnsley Chronicle, Rob Straw, (Yorkshire), (12)
11. Catterick Brass, Brenden Wheeler, (North of England), (14)
12. City of Discovery, Bruce Wallace, (Scotland), (11)
13. Haydock, Mark Quinn, (North West), (15)
14. Northfleet Brass, Melvin White, (London & Southern Counties), (13)
15. Lewis Merthyr, Gareth Pritchard, (Wales), (7)
16. Granite City Brass, Alan Haggart, (Scotland), (2)
17. Cockerton Prize Silver, George Nicklin, (North of England), (6)

Best Instrumentalist: Paul Richards – soprano (Brunel Brass)