The Flowers Band maintained their impressive start to the 2013 contesting season by retaining the Yeovil Entertainment title in commanding fashion under the baton of MD Paul Holland.

Reprise

Following on from winning £6,000 in prize money and the magnificent ‘Most Entertaining Performance’ Trophy at the Mineworkers Championship in Skegness, they reprised their Butlins programme to add another £2,000 to the coffers and take home the Chris Palmer Shield for a record seventh time by a clear three point margin.

A delighted Friary Guildford directed by Chris King was second, with Mount Charles, conducted by Richard Evans a point further back in third.

Impressed

Adjudicator Chris Davis was impressed by the playing on show from all eight competitors, with the top three, and the winners in particular standing out.

"Each band brought out something special with their programmes today," he said. "But Flowers had something special about everything."

However, he also expressed his disappointment that at a time when money was tight, more bands didn’t take the opportunity to enter a very well run event.

The eventual top six places were filled by debutants Jackfield Elcock Reisen, with 2010 winners Woodfalls in sixth. Behind them came Camborne and Brunel Brass.

Prizes

Camborne’s talented young xylophonist Charlie Hodge took the ‘Best Soloist’ prize thanks to a stunning high paced rendition of ‘Helter Skelter’, with Paul Richards of Brunel claiming the ‘Best Soprano’ award for his outstanding rendition of ‘Greensleeves’. Flowers percussion team won the ‘Best Section’ award.

Listen and work

Speaking to 4BR, Paul Holland felt that Flowers latest victory not only came through hard bandroom graft and commitment, but also the ability to listen to constructive contesting advice.

"We are a very determined band that wants to do well at the highest level," Paul said.

"To do that though we know we have to work on many aspects of our playing. We have really taken on board the constructive advice of experienced adjudicators on our recent performances."

That was certainly borne out by the remarks of Chris Davis.

He described the winning 25 minute set as containing ‘a great deal of special playing’, as the MD tailored the dynamics to enhance clarity and balance in the compact acoustic, without losing the polished presentation and execution of an inventive programme.

10% off

"We took a good 10% off the top end today," Paul revealed. "It’s a great hall to play in but it is easy to overblow. I wanted to show as much contrast in our programme as possible, and taking the edge off our top end dynamics did that.

The band, and especially principal cornet Andrew Smith, delivered an outstanding performance."

Programme

Flowers opened with ‘Ride’ by Samuel Hazo, followed by the cornet solo ‘Wild Horses’ featuring Andrew accompanied on electric piano by Huw Cole.

‘Cochino Catalonia’ by Jonathan Bates and ‘Family Portraits’ from ‘A Lowry Sketchbook’ by Philip Wilby offered further contrast, before the reigning champion rounded off with the Apollo 11 inspired ‘One Small Step’ by Andrew Duncan.

Thanks

"It’s a great way to start the year," Paul added. "I must thank David Childs, Steve Stewart and Steve Jones from Cory who played today though.

All have given of their time to help us out due to work and holiday commitments, whilst the band has also shown huge commitment so soon after the Butlins contest. Now the hard work starts again for the Area contest and the Grand Shield."

Friary delight

Friary Guildford made the long journey home up the M3 motorway with plenty to celebrate too, as the Londoners upset the form book by claiming second place, the Jane Clark Trophy and £1,000 under MD Chris King.

"We are over the moon," a delighted Lauren Cave told 4BR: "We put a great deal of work into our programme and it paid off. We’re going to enjoy ourselves now and then start work on ‘Harmony Music’.

We want to build on this success and hopefully qualify for the Albert Hall at Stevenage after just missing out in coming third last year."

Well executed

Friary opened their highly choreographed Americana themed programme — described by the adjudicator as ’well executed and innovative’, with the MD’s marching band version of ‘76 Trombones’, before showing their technical prowess on the overture, ‘Candide’.

Principal cornet Richard Straker was the featured soloist on Philip Sparke’s ‘Saturday Serenade’ from his ‘Manhatten’ Cornet Concerto, before big band thrills were displayed with ‘Sing, Sang, Sung’ and the tour de force finale of Dan Price’s ‘American Tale’.

High quality

Meanwhile, Mount Charles claimed their third consecutive podium finish at the contest thanks to a high quality marker off the number 1 draw directed by Richard Evans.

Their eclectic selection box programme featured trumpet soloist Ian Thomas on ‘People’, as well as repertoire from Carl Orff, Tchaikovsky, Earth, Wind and Fire, and the obligatory Evans inspired swagger march, ‘Pride of the Wolverines’.

Building

Band Manager Derek Thomas told 4BR that the result was further evidence that the youthful Cornish band was developing along the right lines ahead of the West of England Regional Championship.

"We are a young band that is working hard to develop our own talent," he said. "Richard Evans has been superb this week and this result gives us a real foundation to build on ahead of Torquay."

That is something the organisers will hope too, as with just eight bands this was the lowest number of competitors since the contest started in 1978.

However, although the event was concluded by tea time, the supportive audience certainly enjoyed a short but highly entertaining day of brass band entertainment.

A full retrospective will appear in the next few days.

To do that though we know we have to work on many aspects of our playing. We have really taken on board the constructive advice of experienced adjudicators on our recent performancesPaul Holland

Result:
Adjudicator: Chris Davis

1. Flowers (Paul Holland) — 197
2. Friary Guildford (Chris King) — 194
3. Mount Charles (Richard Evans) — 193
4. Jackfield Elcock Reisen (Simon Platford) — 191
5. Woodfalls (Phil Randell) — 190
6. Bournemouth Concert (Dave Barringer) — 189
7. Camborne (Steve Sykes) — 187
8. Brunel Brass (John Winterflood) — 186

Best Soloist: Charlie Hodge (xylophone) – Camborne
Best Soprano: Paul Richards (Brunel Brass)
Best Section: Percussion (Flowers)