A dominant Marsden Silver Band led by Glyn Williams took the bulk of the honours in what was a fine day of music making at the recent Morley March & Hymn Tune event.

The top flight Yorkshire outfit is something of a specialist at this niche contesting genre with numerous titles to its name over the past few years, and they showed their quality once again in claiming the overall title and £500 first prize.

Pocket

Performances of their road march 'On the Quarterdeck' followed by the stage march 'Honest Toil' and three verses of the John Ireland hymn tune arrangement of 'Love Unknown' proved more than good enough to bag the Crispin Trophy as well as pocket an extra £200 for 'Best Hymn Tune', 'Best Contest March' and 'Best Foot March'. The band's soprano player also won the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

Tie break

Unite the Union and Yorkshire Imperial David Urquhart Travel were left somewhat in their wake, although they had a keen battle between themselves — eventually only decided on a street march 'tie break' with Unite claiming the £275 runner-up prize ahead of their rivals.

Best Section awards (not in the prizes) went to Ripon, Flixton, Ferryhill and Tingley with Shirland taking the 'Best Youth Band' honours .

Delighted

Marsden MD Glyn Williams was delighted that his band was on top form. "It is a specialist event in many ways — but it also rewards the basics of top class brass band playing. All credit to the players once again — they really do enjoy these events."

Glyn will now direct Marsden for the last time in a march & hymn tune contest at the Brighouse Lions event in a couple of weeks time.

It is a specialist event in many ways — but it also rewards the basics of top class brass band playing. All credit to the players once again — they really do enjoy these eventsMD, Glyn Williams

Results:
Band Arena: March & Hymn Tune

1. Marsden Silver: (90/89) — 179
2. Unite the Union: (87/85) — 172*
3. Yorkshire Imperial David Urquhart Travel: (86/86) — 172
4. Ripon City: (84/83) — 167
5. Flixton: (85/87) — 162
7. Ferryhill: (80/81) — 161*
6. Dobcross Silver: (82/79) — 161
8. Shirland Training: (79/76) — 155
9. Tingley: (77/75) — 152
10. Elmfield: (74/74) — 148*
11. Garforth Brass: (76/72) — 148
12. Tewit Youth Intermediate: (73/71) — 144

* Street march tie break used

Overall Champion: Marsden Silver
Runner-up: Unite the Union
Third: Yorkshire Imperial David Urquhart Travel

Best First Section Band (not in main prizes): Ripon City
Best Second Section Band (not in main prizes): Flixton
Best Third Section Band (not in main prizes): Ferryhill
Best Fourth Section Band (not in main prizes): Tingley

Best Youth Band: Shirland Training

Best Contest March: Marsden Silver
Best Hymn Tune: Marsden Silver
Best Foot March: Marsden Silver
Best Youth Hymn Tune: Shirland Training

Best Instrumentalist: Soprano cornet (Marsden Silver)
Best Deportment (Open): Ripon
Best Deportment Youth: Tewit Youth Intermediate