Virtuosi GUS directed by Adam Cooke dispelled any lingering after-effects of post-Blackpool Grand Shield disappointment as they successfully defended the All England Masters International title in Kettering on the weekend.

However, despite the contest reprising the Area set-work 'Cambridge Variations' as its test-piece, just 13 bands made it to the Lighthouse Theatre stage, as a disappointingly low-key contest unfolded in front of a sparse audience and judges, Stephen Roberts and Stan Lippeatt.

Belgium challenge

Understandably, with that lack of keen edged competition as an added adrenaline spur, Virtuosi GUS did not play to the same sparkling level they had shown in winning the Midlands Regional title in Bedworth in March, although they still did enough to beat off the strong challenge of Belgian rivals Brass Band Willebroek to claim the £2,000 first prize.

A clear margin behind the two pre-contest favourites came a delighted Ratby Co-operative in third, with the final top-six places taken by Milnrow, Diggle and Hammonds Saltaire.

Close at the top

"It was very close between the top two bands,"Stan Lippeatt later told 4BR. "There was very little to choose between them. Both delivered fine performance with excellent soloists and high-quality ensemble work. We just felt they (Virtuosi GUS) gave us that little bit more though overall."

That was also borne out by their written remarks, with Stan describing the winner's rendition of Philip Sparke's demanding work, which was initially written for this contest in 1992, as; 'A very, very good performance. Bravo band, soloists and MD", whilst Stephen remarked that it was; 'A stunning and authorative performance! Fabulous soloists, great band sounds and wonderfully shaped."

Awards

The band's stalwart trombone star Chris Jeans took the Maxwell Thornton 'Best Trombone' award for the second successive year, with Willebroek's young principal cornet, Lode Violet deservedly claiming the '4BR Best Soloist' award.

Virtuosi GUS also had plenty of silverware to fill up in the bar with Adam Cooke taking the Stanley Boddington Trophy as the winning conductor and Thomas Fountain receiving the Robert Howard Memorial Trophy as the principal cornet of the winning band.

Ratby marker

Earlier, it was Ratby Co-operative who produced a dynamically compact, well-directed marker under Mareika Gray that eventually secured the third prize of £750 — followed by immediately by Virtuosi GUS, who, by no means at their very best, still provided a classy, substantive performance for the remaining bands to try to beat.

A vibrant high-energy account from Milnrow under Mark Bentham couldn't quite meet the challenge to end fourth, although there was certainly plenty of celebration for fifth placed Diggle Band as they built on their solid Area performance under the experienced Phil Goodwin.

Meanwhile, a misfiring Hammonds Saltaire will have made the trip back to Yorkshire knowing that too many unforced errors in an exciting rendition put pay to their title-winning chances under Morgan Griffiths in finishing sixth.

Impressed

It meant that it was left to Willebroek, who seemed to have perhaps done enough to take the Masters title back to Belgium at their eighth attempt.

They certainly impressed many (including 4BR) with their depth of ensemble sound and solo security, but just a few moments of unevenness put paid to their chances in the box — although as the judges admitted, it had been very close.

Usual problems

Behind the top-six, it was the usual problems associated with soloist fragilities, ensemble and technical deficiencies and high unforced error counts (despite a liberal sprinkling of top-flight deps) that saw a number of bands struggle with a work that highlighted the limitations of their true top-flight credentials despite the good musical intentions of the MDs — some more persuasive than others in the box.

The judges later told 4BR that they were surprised that at the bottom end of the results table there were still basic problems such as wrong notes and entries, poor balance and intonation encountered on a work whose inherent difficulties bands should have been well accustomed to.

Confidence

Not so with the winners, with a second successive Masters victory giving Virtuosi GUS an important boost of confidence according to Band Chairman Nigel Love.

"We were disappointed that we didn't qualify for the British Open this year after giving such a superb performance on this piece at the Area — but this has gone some way for making up for that. It was difficult to return to 'Cambridge Variations' but our conductor Adam Cooke did a superb job and I think we responded with some great solo playing and team work."

He added: "We have a busy concert and project schedule ahead for the rest of the year and with so much young talent coming through the future is really looking good."

Limited support

However, with such limited support from competing bands (two listed in the programme failed to make it to the starting line) and listeners (there were as few as 35 people in the audience for some performances), there will surely be a question mark over the future of the Masters itself as a relevant top flight contest if it cannot attract more competitors to Kettering.

Despite the hard work of Philip Biggs and Richard Franklin and the support of long term sponsors, the current contest is a mere shadow of the event which provided such a vibrant mid-season point of reference when it was held at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge.

Determination

That said, the determination for the contest to once again provide an attractive package for musical tastes was seen with the excellent pre-results entertainment provided by the Guards Brass Ensemble of Excellence under the baton of WO Class 1, Bandmaster Andrew Porter (who also lined up to give a rousing pre-winners fanfare) as well as a richly deserved 'Masters Dedicated Service Award' to Dave Lea, MD, of the Jaguar Land Rover Band.

And with the possibility of becoming the first band ever to secure a Masters 'hat-trick', Virtuosi GUS will surely lead the list of competitors here in 2017.

As it happened:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2016/1564.asp#.V01LOfkrK_4

We were disappointed that we didn't qualify for the British Open this year after giving such a superb performance on this piece at the Area — but this has gone some way for making up for that Band Chairman, Nigel Love

Results:

Test Piece: Cambridge Variations (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicators: Stephen Roberts & Stan Lippeatt

1. Virtuosi GUS (Adam Cooke)
2. Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet)
3. Ratby Co-operative (Mareika Gray)
4. Milnrow (Mark Bentham)
5. Diggle (Phil Goodwin)
6. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths)
7. City of Bradford (Lee Skipsey)
8. Kidlington Concert Brass (David Hirst)
9. St. Austell Town (Steve Sykes)
10. Medway Band (Melvin White)
11. Shirley Band (Dave Bishop Rowe)
12. Shepherd Group (Richard Wilton)
13. Regent Brass (Paul Archibald)

4Barsrest Best Soloist Award: Lode Violet (cornet) — Brass Band Willebroek
Best Trombone: Chris Jeans (Virtuosi GUS)