There was a great day of competitive action at the recent Holme Valley Contest where the twin disciplines of hymn tune and test piece brought the best out of the bands.

Hade Edge sweep

In the top section it was Hade Edge directed by Jonathan Beatty who produced a brace of top class performances for adjudicator Andrew Warriner to enjoy most.

Their winning renditions of the hymn tune ‘St Clements’ and their test piece selection of ‘Music of the Spheres’ saw them claim the Fred Kenney Trophy and Groom Cup, as well as a total prize package of £550.

They also took the Jack Fisher Trophy as the highest placed Holme Valley Band.

Outstanding

In addition, the band also enjoyed a clean sweep of the individual ‘outstanding’ awards, with Michael Crowther taking the euphonium prize and baritone player Ivan Conroy winning the soloist award. Not to be outshone, the tubas won the bass section trophy, with the MD also taking the Albert Robinson prize.

Second place, the Hubert Brook Trophy and £250 went to Strata Brass, with Meltham & Meltham Mills in third. The highest Second Section band not in the podium places was Skelmanthorpe.

Impressive

In the B Section Slaithwaite showed that they are making further impressive progress under the baton of Rob Westacott, as they claimed a £450 prize package for winning both the hymn tune and test piece elements thanks to fine performances of ‘St Clements’ and ‘Suite Gothique’.

They took home with them the Beever Shield and Harry Haigh Rose Bowl, whilst the MD picked up the Arthur Edinboro Trophy as the ‘Outstanding Conductor’. The band’s trombones and percussion also won the ‘outstanding’ section awards

Second place and £250 went to Third Section Yorkshire Area champion Dinnington Colliery, with Boarshurst in third. They also claimed the ‘Outstanding Euphonium’ prize, whilst Greenfield was the highest placed Fourth Section band not in the prizes.

Talented youngsters

In the Youth Section, the talented youngsters of Scissett Youth took the Yorkshire Traction Honley Band Trophy and the £250 top prize, ahead of fine efforts from Hade Edge Academy Youth and Hade Edge Academy Junior.

Not to be outshone, the tubas won the bass section trophy, with the MD also taking the Albert Robinson prize4BR

Full Results:

Section A:
Adjudicator: Andrew Warriner
Own Choice Test Piece:

1. Hade Edge
2. Strata Brass
3. Meltham & Meltham Mills
4. Skelmanthorpe
5. Uppermill

Prizes:
Hymn Tune: Hade Edge
Highest Second Section Band not in Prizes: Skelmanthorpe
Outstanding Euphonium: Michael Crowther (Hade Edge)
Outstanding Conductor: Jonathan Beatty (Hade Edge)
Highest Placed Holme Valley Band: Hade Edge
Highest Placed Holme Valley Band (hymn tune): Hade Edge
Outstanding Bass Section: Hade Edge
Outstanding Soloist: Ivan Conroy (Hade Edge)

Section B:
Adjudicator: Andrew Warriner
Own Choice Test Piece:

1. Slaithwaite
2. Dinnington Colliery
3. Boarshurst
4. Greenfield
5. Stalybridge

Prizes:
Hymn Tune: Slaithwaite
Highest Placed Fourth Section Band not in Prizes: Greenfield
Outstanding Euphonium: Boarshurst
Outstanding Trombone Section: Slaithwaite
Outstanding Conductor: Rob Westacott (Slaithwaite)
Outstanding Percussion: Slaithwaite

Youth Section:
Adjudicator: Andrew Warriner

1. Scissett Youth
2. Hade Edge Academy Youth
3. Hade Edge Academy Junior

Prizes:
Best Soloist: Cornet — Scissett Youth
Youngest Player: Oliver James Hardcatle (aged 5) – Hade Edge Training Band