If ever there was an achievement based on the benefits of long term investment in youth, then it came with the victory of Houghton Brass in the Third Section.

Formed in 1983 by school teacher Tom Gibson as a way of ensuring that the talented players from the Houghton Schools Youth Band continued to play in a senior brass band, they had enjoyed many highs and battled through a few lows since.

Highs and lows

Five times previously they have made it through to the National Finals — from Fourth to Second Section, whilst in the early 1990s they were rubbing shoulders in the top flight with the likes of Tom's old band at Ever Ready.

However, they had also endured some hard times, but since 2013 they have entered seven contests and won five of them under their inspirational MD.

Intelligent and musical

Now that record stands at six from eight after they produced what the judges called, '...a fine performance — well controlled and driven by the MD' and '...a very enjoyable experience and a very intelligent and musical reading' of the wonderful set-work, 'The Graces of Love' by Oliver Waespi.

And whilst it was the younger players who enjoyed the immediate taste of victory most by taking their 'selfies' with the gleaming National Trophy, it was the batch of 'more nature' youngsters who beamed with greatest reflective pride — including 'Best Instrumentalist' award winner, euphonium player James Wright.

Life begins at 40

Half a dozen of them — all founder members now in splendid 'banding life begins at 40' middle age, just stood back and soaked it all in, as their wonderful MD deservedly had his picture taken with a trophy that rewarded his lifetime of musical work in the North East.

Modest MD

You could also see why they wanted him to enjoy the occasion, as Tom Gibson was characteristically modest about his achievement when speaking to 4BR.

"It all about the players, all about enjoyment in music making,"he said.

"l've enjoyed that all my life, so to be able to help others experience it makes the conducting a real joy. Winning a National title though is something else. I secretly hoped that one day we may do it and now over 30 years later we've done it.

They are like a family to me (his sons play principal cornet and solo horn and his grandson Thomas was on timps). I'm a very proud man."

Loved and admired

He is also a very much admired and loved man to, as Kelly Storey, who had the honour of raising the trophy on high on stage added.

"Tom is a very special to everyone. He gives so much that we all just want to repay his faith in us. We did that today, but this is a victory that belongs to him and what he has done for us all."

Hard way

It was certainly a contest won the hard way too off the early number 4 draw, as Oliver Waespi's elegantly refined composition brought the best out of a host of bands.

Chief amongst them was another organisation that has taken the long term approach to player development, as Camborne Junior Contesting caught the ears of John Maines and Kevin Wadsworth in the box with their vibrant rendition, with the mature considerations of Ifton Colliery eventually ended third.

"It was a fantastic piece that everyone could play,"John told the audience before the results. "The prize winners really captured the dance style of the music, which was essential. The top end (of the results) showed dynamic contrast and that extra bit of style."

Pure, pure music

Kevin was equally as detailed on a piece he called 'pure, pure music'. "All the bands gave good shows,"he said. "Some conductors will be a little 'hot under the collar' as much of the success or failure of this piece was down to interpretation — especially with the deliberate contradictions and contrasts of dynamics in the score."

He added: "Solid ground rules had to be made by the conductor — the best did with dynamics and style and benefited, although many played 'safe' and opted for a 'middle dynamic route' that lacked a broad musical palette of colour."

Little perplexed

If the audience were left in little doubt what the duo were looking for, they were perhaps a little perplexed by Kevin's final remark that suggested that they only applauded loudly the performances that ended loudly.

For once, it was a well meaning light-hearted remark that failed to engineer a reciprocal response — the audience (which was perhaps largest in number all weekend) showing their considerable and considered support for all the competing bands.

Poise and grace

That was in no small part due to the test piece itself — a work of poise and unmistakable musical grace, which seemed to inspire players eager to show off their renaissance dance skills through the medium of brass — and tasteful percussion.

Interestingly however, only one band — BAE Systems off the number 1 draw, played the work in true renaissance style — with MD Jonathan Crowhurst splitting his band into two standing 'Concerto Grosso' choirs.

It rather unluckily came 14th, as everyone else opted for sitting in traditional brass band formation, with the judges revealing that the forward facing trombones just spoilt the balance they were looking for.

Pushed close

Even though Houghton gave the judges the early high watermark that rivals could not eventually match, there a number of performances that did push them close, as John and Kevin later revealed to 4BR.

"The winners were clear for us, but we did enjoy the bands that came second and third, who also played with style and elegance,"John said.

"The other top six were good, but just made a few too many errors and didn't quite have the consistent dance style as the top three."

Cornish youngsters

Chief amongst the best was Camborne Junior Contesting, who, packed with youngsters will surely go on and emulate Houghton's achievement over the next few years, whilst Ifton Colliery also showed why they are one of the most consistent bands around at this level in coming third.

Fellow Midland qualifiers Hucknall & Linby ended fourth with the much fancied Horbury Victoria perhaps a little disappointed that their colourful account as the last band of the contest didn't manage to come higher than fifth.

Sixth place was secured by Renfrew Burgh on what was an encouraging weekend for Scottish banding, with boldly played shows from Old Hall, Irvine & Dreghorn, Thomas Coaches and Foss Dyke finishing in the top ten.

Well deserved

For Houghton and their remarkable MD Tom Gibson though, the long six hour coach ride home will have passed in a haze of celebration — and deserved celebration at that — some 32 years after he first started on the long road to success.

Winning a National title though is something else. I secretly hoped that one day we may do it and now over 30 years later we've done it. They are like a family to me. I'm a very proud manMD. Tom Gibson

Results:
Sunday 20th September
Test Piece: 'The Graces of Love' (Oliver Waespi)
Adjudicators: John Maines and Kevin Wadsworth

1. Houghton Brass (Tom Gibson)
2. Camborne Junior Contesting (Alan Pope)
3. Ifton Colliery (Wayne Ruston)
4. Hucknall & Linby MC Brass (Paul Whyley)
5. Horbury Victoria (Duncan Beckley)
6. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good)
7. Old Hall Brass (John North)
8. Irvine & Dreghorn (Helen Douthwaite)
9. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs)
10. Foss Dyke (Simon Oates)
11. Rhyl Silver (Keith Jones)
12. Dunston Silver (Aidan Hodgson)
13. Soundhouse Brass (Steve Sykes)
14. BAE Systems (Jonathan Crowhurst)
15. Boarshurst Silver (James Garlick)
16. Cold Ash Brass (Jemma Evans)
17. Slaithwaite (Rob Westacott)
18. Littleborough Public (Adrian Woodhead)

Best Instrumentalist: James Wright (Euphonium) — Houghton Brass