The annual North East Midlands Brass Band Contest was held last weekend, where despite numbers being down compared to previous years, there was still a fine competitive atmosphere as bands started putting the finishing touches to early season form and test pieces ahead of the Regional Championships.

Task

Competitors from Yorkshire, Midlands and the North West featured with adjudicator Colin Hardy having the difficult task of picking out the winners.

In his post contest analysis Colin told the bands that he had enjoyed the day and wished them all the best their respective area contests.

Boosts

There were pre-area confidence boosts for Silk Brass in the First Section after Dave Hollings led them to victory on ‘Brass Triumphant’ helped by also claiming individual awards for ‘Best Euphonium’, ‘Best Soprano’ and ‘Best Percussion’.

The MD made it a double with Strata Brass as they claimed the Second Section title with a fine performance of ‘The Plantagenets’.

Many Holling made sure her better half didn’t have all the bragging rights by claiming the ‘Best Principal Cornet’ Award, with Sophie Darwin adding the ‘Best Horn’ trophy.

Commanding victory

Ireland Colliery Chesterfield claimed a commanding victory in the Third Section with a fine rendition of ‘Hollywood’ and a ‘Best Trombone’ award in the process, whilst Maltby Miners picked up the Fourth Section honours to give them a timely boost ahead of their Yorkshire Regional appearance on Bradford in a few weeks time.

They also picked up individual awards for ‘Best Cornet’ and ‘Best Bass’.

In his post contest analysis Colin told the bands that he had enjoyed the day and wished them all the best their respective area contests4BR

Results:

First Section:
1. Silk Brass (David Hollings) — 189
2. Leicester Co-op (Graham Jacklin) — 187

Second Section:
1. Strata Brass (David Hollings) — 186
2. Long Eaton (Sharon Stansfield) — 184

Third Section:
1. Ireland Colliery Chesterfield Band (Ian Knapton) — 180
2. Trentham Brass (Mike Caveney) — 176
3. Newhall (Kevin Holgate) — 175

Fourth Section:
1. Maltby Miners (Terry Clifford) — 178
2. Pleasley Colliery (Keith Buxton) — 177
3. Audley Brass (Ian Turner) — 174

Best Horn: Strata Brass
Best Principal Cornet: Strata Brass
Best Euphonium: Silk Brass
Best Soprano Cornet: Silk Brass

Best Cornet in the Third/Fourth Section: Maltby Miners Welfare
Best Euphonium in Third/Fourth Section: Pleasley Colliery
Best Trombone: Ireland Colliery
Best Bass Section: Maltby Miners Welfare
Best Percussion Section: Silk Brass