With the gleaming sentinels of the National Trophy and the British Open Shield sitting proudly in the main sports hall of Sandbach Boys School, it was little wonder that there was a buzz of excitement permeating through the cold air at the second Foden's Solo, Duet & Quartet Competition.

Buzz

There was also a constant buzz of activity too, as 180 players competing across eleven sections crammed into just about every nook and cranny as they prepared to impress the hard working adjudication trio of Harmen Vanhoorne, Les Neish and Ulster Orchestra trombonist Richard Ashmore.

Support

Supported by sponsors including Besson, Birchfield Music, Audi (Macclesfield), Glyn Williams Musical Instruments, the King’s Division and Boobs & Brass amongst others, the various competitions ran in three separate halls.

And whilst the battle for the honours was taking place, there was plenty of time for those with a wish list to take the opportunity to visit the trade stands and refreshments (manned by members of Foden’s Band – including soprano star Richard Poole on the cake stand!) as well as grabbing their once in a lifetime chance to have their picture taken with those famous trophies.

The welcoming atmosphere meant that the emphasis was on high class music making sprinkled with a fair dose of fun (the young lad trying to play the bagpipes was a hoot – or not as the case proved to be!) and bags of encouragement.

Winners

The first winners to be declared came from the Slow Melody sections.

There was a great turn out of fledgling playing talent in the 11 & Under category where Holly Clark’s performance of ‘Share My Yoke’ impressed Les Neish most – just pipping Natasha Prescott (‘The Lost Chord’) and Luca Boylan (‘The Swan’) in a field of 16 players.

Rising star

Meanwhile, one of the rising stars in the North West, Illiam Quane from Ramsay Town on the Isle of Man, gave a superb performance of 'Rusalka’s Song to the Moon' to take the spoils in the Open Slow Melody category.

Illiam later returned to claim the 16-18 Air Varie title with a superb rendition of ‘Napoli’ ahead of Rory Rolfe’s fine ‘Zelda’ and Daniel Morgan’s impressive ‘Debutante’.

Two excellent performances from Sean Peterson playing ‘Yorkshire Ballad’ and Glenn Birks (also with ‘Rusalka’) claimed second and third respectively in a competition (of 30 entrants) that was of a very high standard.

Catching the Neish ear

Cornet player, Ben Jarvis was the first player to catch judge Les Neish’s ear courtesy of a fine account of ‘Softly Awakes My Heart’ in the 12-13 Slow Melody category, to pip Bethan Brown playing ‘Myfanwy’ and Adam Meyer with ‘Share My Yoke’.

Trombonist Ross Johnson also impressed the renowned tuba player in the 14-16 Slow Melody category with his rendition of ‘Londonderry Air’, with Sam Brodison, cornet and Harry Cunningham, (bass) featuring in the prizes in what would prove to be a fruitful day for the talented duo.

Belgian winner

14 year old euphonium player, Vincent Gils, who once again made the trip over with a group of performers from Belgium was practically speechless after he took the Under 16 Air Varie title with a belting rendition of ‘Grandfather’s Clock’.

Harry Cunningham was runner up with a fine performance of ‘Glorious Ventures’ with Sam Brodison impressing with the classic ‘Zelda’ to come third.

Star performer

The star performer in the Open Air Varie category was euphonium player, Gong Hongliang who gave a breathtaking account of Sparke’s ‘Harlequin’ to claim the honours in what was in a closely thought contest, which brought to an end nine hours of judging for Harmon Vanhoorne. In addition to his victory, Gong will have a piece written for him from Foden's Musical Associate, Dr Peter Meechan.

Runner up was Daniel Morgan performing ‘Devil’s Duel’ with Emily Braverman in third with ‘Fantasia de Concerto’.

Friendly duet

In the duet competitions it was the experienced trombone pairing of Daniel Brooks and Stephen Lomas who came out top in the Open Section, with a fine rendition of ‘Duo Concertante’, whilst Catherine Flanders and Sophie Barwick were the victors in the Under 16's section, thanks to their excellent performance of ‘Duet’ by Clodomir.

Quality quartets

In main hall, and with those two imposing trophies as a backdrop, there was plenty of splendid playing on show from the quartets.

Adjudicator Richard Ashmore described the performance of ‘Barber of Seville’ from the Brussels quartet entitled Sforzando as ‘outstanding’ in the 16 & Under category, with Centenary Quartet on sparkling form on Gilbert Vinter’s classic ‘Elegy & Rondo’ more than enough to give them the title in the Open Quartet Section.

Awards

Overall it turned out to be a very special contest for the Quane family, with Illiam being declared the ‘Outstanding Performer’ of the day whilst younger sister Ellen received a Bursary Award as the ‘Most Promising Player’ aged 12-15.

The Under 11 award went to Julian Bradley, whilst 16 -18 award was claimed by baritone player Marlies Pelgroms from Belgium.

The award for the highest unplaced first time entrant went to Evie Thomas aged 10 from the Knighton Training Band in Mid Wales, whilst the most promising player award went to Catherine Flander.

Despite there being no award for the player making the longest journey to compete, it surely would have gone to Ken Bradley from Australia, who took the chance to perform on his recent visit to the UK.

Concert to close

The day closed with the debut performance of Foden’s Youth Band under the direction of Mark Bousie which featured Richard Poole (soprano) and Besson artist, Les Neish as the guest soloist.

Foden's Chairman, John Barber told 4BR of just how pleased everyone at the newly crowned ‘Double Champions’ was at what had been a very long but highly enjoyable day.

"We were delighted at last year’s competition, but to have had players come from various parts of the UK and Belgium this year shows that our long term investment in this event is proving to be a great success,” he said.

He added: “I'd like to place on record my thanks to all our sponsors, supporters, the adjudicators, accompanists and participants for making today such a memorable event in what is a very special year for the band."

Feedback

Foden's Secretary Andy Rolfe echoed John comments, adding: "We’ve been blown away by the response this year and once again I’m indebted to everyone who has worked tirelessly to make everything come together."

Andy also stated that they'd welcome constructive feedback from the competitors as to how they thought things went so that new ideas can be taken on board for 2013 and beyond.

"As with last year we’d welcome any thoughts. We were thrilled that competitors came from as far afield as Belgium to compete today and to have the trophies on display for everybody to see is something we are very proud of. I just hope everyone got their pictures!"

The date for next year's competition has yet to be confirmed.

Malcolm Wood

We were delighted at last year’s competition, but to have had players come from various parts of the UK and Belgium this year shows that our long term investment in this event is proving to be a great successJohn Barber

Results

Open Slow Melody:
Adjudicator: Harmen Vanhoorne

1. Illiam Quane
2. Sean Peterson
3. Glenn Birks

Slow Melody: Age 11 & Under:
Adjudicator: Les Neish

1. Holly Clark
2. Natasha Prescott
3. Lucas Boylan

Slow Melody: Age 12-13 years
Adjudicator: Les Neish

1. Ben Jarvis
2. Bethan Brown
3. Adam Meyer

Slow Melody: Age 14-16 years
Adjudicator: Les Neish

1. Ross Johnson
2. Sam Brodison
3. Harry Cunningham

Open Air Varie:
Adjudicator: Harmen Vanhoorne

1. Gong Hongliang
2. Daniel Morgan
3. Emily Braverman

Air Varie: Age 16-18 years
Adjudicator: Les Neish

1. Illiam Quane
2. Rory Rolfe
3. Daniel Morgan

Air Varie: Under 16
Adjudicator: Harmen Vanhoorne

1. Vincent Gils
2. Harry Cunningham
3. Sam Brodison

Open Duets:
Adjudicator: Richard Ashmore

1. Daniel Brooks & Stephen Lomas
2. Toby Butt & Samantha Minshull
3. Louise Edgar & Stephen Lomas

Duets: Under 16
Adjudicator: Richard Ashmore

1. Catherine Flanders & Sophie Barwick
2. Alex & Catherine Flanders
3. William Everitt & Sam de Bruin

Quartet: Age 16 and under
Adjudicator: Richard Ashmore

1. Sforzando
2. Dobcross Youth
3. The Magnificent Four

Open Quartet:
Adjudicator: Richard Ashmore

1. Centenary Quartet
2. Flixton Four
3. Stephen, Daniel, Louise, Ben

Awards:

Most Promising Player: 11 & under: Julian Bayley
Most Promising Player: 12-15 — Audi of Macclesfield Bursary: Ellen Quane
Most Promising Player: 16 & 18 — Besson Bursary: Marlies Pelgroms
Highest unplaced 1st Time 12 — 13: Angus Currie
Highest Unplaced First Time Competitor: 11 & under Slow Melody: Evie Thomas
Most Promising Local Player: Catherine Flanders
Most Outstanding Performer of the Day: Illiam Quane