A massive crowd of listeners and supporters enjoyed six hours of non-stop music making on the weekend in the iconic Yorkshire banding town of Brighouse, when the 15th Brighouse & District Lions March & Hymn Tune Contest took place under a sun soaked sky.
Showcase battle
No less than 26 bands from as afar afield as North Wales, took the opportunity to showcase their talents in the battle for the top prize of £600 and numerous other awards, with plenty of excellent playing on show for adjudicators Derek Broadbent, Pascal Eicher and Chris Jeans to ponder.
In the end it was a close tussle, with single point margins separating each of the top six finishers in the Town Hall Square, as genre specialists Marsden Silver Prize retained the title under the baton of Glyn Williams, who also became the first recipient of the ’Friends of Brighouse’ Trophy.
Outstanding
Marsden’s outstanding performances of ‘Knight Templar’ and ‘Love Unknown’ saw them retain their grasp on the Brighouse & Rastrick Trophy as well as take individual prizes for the ‘Best Hymn Tune’, ‘Best Basses’ and ‘Best Soprano’.
Yorkshire Imperial DUT had to be content with second place following their recent victory over their rivals at the Morley event, as they took home £300 as well as the prizes for ‘Best Contest March’ for their rousing performance of ‘The Wizard’, ‘Best Soloist’ and ‘Best Trombone Section’.
Popular winner
Skelmanthorpe was third, claiming the £150 on offer, whilst the outstanding Samantha Harrison of Elland Silver was the popular winner of the Geneva ‘Symphony’ cornet as the best principal cornet on the day.
Section awards went to Diggle, Elland Silver, Slaithwaite and Gawthorpe Brass ’85, with Elland Silver Youth and Thurlstone taking the Youth and Unregistered prizes respectively and Drighlington winning the ‘Best Road march’ award.
The youngest player on the day was Emma Ainley of Clifton & Lightcliffe B Band with Elland Youth’s principal cornet player taking the ‘Best Soloist’ prize in the Youth Section.
Gallic theme
Before the announcement of the results there was a Gallic themed selection performed by Clifton & Lightcliffe Band, ahead of next week’s Tour de France ‘Grand Depart’ which travels through Calderdale on its marathon journey to Paris.
Earlier in the day the magnificent ladies of Boobs & Brass once again thrilled the audience with their music making following their excellent Gala Concert performance at a packed Central Methodist Church the previous evening under the baton of Stan Lippeatt.
‘The Voice of Brighouse’ Fred Etherington was presented with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of 15 years of outstanding service to the event.
Marsden’s outstanding performances of 'Knight Templar' and 'Love Unknown' saw them retain their grasp on the Brighouse & Rastrick Trophy4BR
Results:
1. Marsden Silver
2. Yorkshire Imperial DUT
3. Skelmanthorpe
4. Northop Silver
5. Elland Silver
6. Drighlington
7. Rainford
8. Diggle
9. Knottingley Silver
10. Hebden Bridge
11. Lindley
12. Hade Edge
13. South Yorkshire Police
14. Elland Silver Youth
15. Clifton & Lightcliffe
16. Meltham & Meltham Mills
17. Kirkbymoorside Town
18. Skelmanthorpe Prospect
19. Gawthorpe Brass ‘85
20. Slaithwaite
21. Royal Buckley Town
22. Northop Youth Band
23. Clifton & Lightcliffe B
24. Thurlstone
25. Huddersfield & Ripponden
26. Dobcross Youth
Winning Conductor: Glyn Williams
Best Principal Cornet: Samantha Harrison (Elland Silver)
Best Contest March: Yorkshire Imperial DUT
Best Hymn Tune: Marsden Silver
Best Soloist of the Day: Euphonium (Yorkshire Imperial DUT)
Best Band Road March: Drighlington
Best Trombone Section Road March: Yorkshire Imperial DUT
Best Bass Section: Marsden Silver
Best Soprano Cornet: Marsden Silver
Best Hymn Tune Section 4: Gawthorpe Brass ‘85
Deportment: South Yorkshire Police
Best 1st Section Band: The Diggle Band
Best 2nd Section Band: Elland Silver
Best 3rd Section Band: Slaithwaite
Best 4th Section Band: Gawthorpe Brass ‘85
Best Youth Band: Elland Silver Youth
Best Unregistered Band: Thurlstone
Youth Deportment: Elland Silver Youth
Youngest Player: Emma Ainley (Clifton & Lightcliffe ‘B’)
Best Soloist Youth: Principal Cornet (Elland Silver Youth)
