Another great day of music making took place at the Skelmanthorpe Slow Melody & Ensemble competition, where it turned out to be a very successful day for young trombonist, Hannah Stell.

The 15-year old principal trombone with Skelmanthorpe Band faces one heck of an engraving bill having come first in no less than four sections!

Four wins

Having won her own age group, she went on to be part of the winning ensembles in both Junior and Senior sections before taking the Open Section, just pipping last year’s winner Patricia Woodings in what was a contest of outstanding quality.

Patricia did however retain her ‘Veterans’ trophy, with a performance which also caught the ear of adjudicator David Horsfield who awarded it the ‘Outstanding Music Performance of the Day’.

Youth impresses

Earlier in the day it was the youngsters who impressed, with Matthew Sykes winning the ‘11 & under’ section playing in only his second ever slow melody solo, with young trombonist Josh Barber, making his first appearance at Skelmanthorpe, impressing in the ‘14 & under’ section.

Competition organiser Graham Bates told 4BR: “We were delighted with the variety of music played, with hardly any duplication, and once again it was great to see so many friends who travelled from far and wide to be with us.

Whilst the music and competition is central to the event, the social side is equally important”

Special moment

There was a special moment for veteran trombone player Peter Noble who, as part of the winning trombone quartet ‘Rhapsodic Trombones’, finally won the Open Ensemble section, and the trophy which was donated in memory of his late father Stuart.

The event concluded with a presentation to thank Graham, Debbie and Jonny Bates for all their hard work in organising the competition for the last seven years.

Next year’s event will take place on Saturday 7th November.

Having won her own age group, she went on to be part of the winning ensembles in both Junior and Senior sections before taking the Open Section4BR

Results:

11 & Under:
1. Matthew Sykes (Hade Edge Youth)
2. Eva Warren (Rochdale Youth)
3. Ruby Hawker (Independent)

14 & Under:
1. Josh Barber (Elland Youth)
2. Georgia Stones (Jayess Newbiggin)
3. Julian Bayley (Dobcross Youth)

16 & Under:
1. Hannah Stell (Skelmanthorpe)

Junior Ensemble:
1. Hannah Stell & Josh Barber
2. Hannah Stell & Tommy Tynan

Open Ensemble:
1. Rhapsodic Trombones
2. Paula Fisher & Tommy Tynan

Veterans:
1. Patricia Woodings (Newhall)
2. Ian Gill (Lindley)
3. Jackie Clowes (Diggle B)

Open:
1. Hannah Stell (Skelmanthorpe)
2. Patricia Woodings (Newhall)
3. Laura Brown (Skelmanthorpe)

Outstanding Musical Performance:
Patricia Woodings (Veterans)