The North Skelton Band conducted by Dennis Noble carried on their good 2013 contesting form as they claimed the Brass in Ripon title amid the architectural splendour of the magnificent Ripon Cathedral on the weekend.
Rose Bowl
After returning to competition this year, they added the Championship Rose Bowl and the £250 first prize to the Durham League title they claimed in February, and the encouraging fourth place finish they achieved at the North of England Area Championships in Darlington.
According to Contest Secretary, Josie Coupland, the latest success is another firm step in the right direction for the band. "To win against 15 other excellent bands is a great achievement for the band as we continue to build in strength under our conductor Dennis Noble."
Impressed
The band certainly impressed adjudicator Paul Andrew with their programme set, which opened with ‘Te Deum Prelude’ followed by their prize winning hymn selection of ‘Guardian of my Soul’, which added a further £50 to their prize pot.
Trombone soloist Christine Britland wowed the crowds with her rendition of ‘Cool Breeze’ before the band swaggered through the march, ‘New Colonial’ and ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’.
Rivals
It proved to be enough to beat off the challenge of rivals Shepherd Group directed by Mike Pratt by a narrow two point winning margin, with Area champion Trimdon Concert conducted by Will Harrison in third. They took the George Percival Memorial Trophy as the ‘Most Entertaining Band’.
Marske Brass took the ‘Best March’ honours, with Dunston Silver’s flugel horn player Jim Kelly taking the Isobele Lonsdale Memorial Trophy as ‘Best Soloist’
Leyburn claimed the award as the highest placed Fourth Section band outside the main prizes.
To win against 15 other excellent bands is a great achievement for the band as we continue to build in strength under our conductor Dennis NobleJosie Coupland
Results:
Adjudicator: Paul Andrews
Entertainment: Mark Sidwell & Malcolm Dibb
Music/Entertainment = Total
1. North Skelton (Denis Noble): 193/44 = 237
2. Shepherd Group Concert (Mike Pratt): 191/44 = 235
3. Trimdon Concert (Will Harrison): 186/47 = 233
4. Leyburn (George Lundberg)
5. Gawthorpe Brass 85' (John Edwards)
6. University of Hull (Ian Walshaw)
7. Dunston Silver (Steven Archer)
8. Marske Brass (Alun Prest)
9. Skipton Brass (Adrian Lowes)
10. Durham Constabulary (Keith McDonald)
11. Denton Brass (Jessica Tredea)
12. Knaresborough Silver (Steven Moreland)
13. Garforth Jubilee (Charles Hindmarsh)
14. Burneside Brass (Laurie Johnson)
15. York Railway Institute Golden Rail (Nick Eastwood)
16. Barnetby Silver (Sam Ringrose)
Best March: Marske Brass
Best Hymn: North Skelton
Most Entertaining Programme: Trimdon Concert
Best Soloist: Jim Kelly (flugel) — Dunston Silver
Best Fourth Section Band not in main prizes: Leyburn Band
