Foden's was crowned an undisputed champion at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool as they retained their grip on the North West Regional Challenge Trophy with a clear cut victory under the direction of Prof Nicholas Childs.

With rivals finding the 80 year old intricacies and refinements of 'Pageantry' a difficult combination to master in the cavernous acoustic of the Opera House through a combination of self-inflicted unforced errors and curious tempo and dynamic choices, Foden's produced a performance that stayed intrinsically faithful to Howells' regal style and substance to claim a 20th Area crown in a degree of comfort.

Joining them for more stately splendour at the Royal Albert Hall in October will be Milnrow and the pre-qualified Fairey, who as the judges later confirmed to 4BR, took a great deal of thought to separate, as Foden's finished 'a clear margin' in front.

Everything in place

"No problems with picking the winners,"Roger Webster told 4BR. "The clarity and detail, especially at the lower dynamic range was excellent. Everything was in its place and it was a clear margin ahead for us. We felt too many bands overblew and lost the stylistic nuances of the music. The lack of clear detail at that lower dynamic range was noticeable and some tempos choices didn't help either."

Fellow judge, David Lancaster agreed. "Theirs was the performance that had the high-quality security in the solo lines, excellent ensemble work and a reading faithful to the score. Second and third was a much more difficult decision to make — both giving very musical interpretations marred by little errors, but also clear in our mind from the rest."

The duo's thoughts certainly echoed their immediate written impressions, with Roger stating: 'Thank you for a fine performance', whilst David wrote; 'Overall an impressive performance showing good understanding and lots of detail.'

Superb band

"I'm delighted to have helped secure another Regional victory for Foden's,"Prof Nicholas Childs told 4BR, as he claimed his own 27th Area title in the process.

"It's always good to return to Sandbach and to conduct at this event. Foden's really showed what a superb band they are — so my thanks go to Michael Fowles and the players for the way they approached the contest and for their outstanding performance on the day."

In reply, Foden's Secretary Andy Rolfe said: "It's been great to work with Prof Childs once more. The Area remains one of the most important contests for us and victory meets the first ambition we set ourselves each year."

Delight and disappointment

For Foden's it was indeed a fine start to the 2017 season, whilst in contrast, for rivals Fairey it was a major disappointment as they finished third for the second year running. Despite Garry Cutt's elegant interpretation and their trademark sound bringing a warm sheen to the music, too many small, but noticeable errors off the number 2 draw cost them their chance of claiming a 16th Area title.

However, it was delight for Milnrow as they produced an excellent performance full of compact ensemble work and secure soloists, aided by an intelligent appreciation of the score by MD Mark Bentham, to claim their best ever result at the contest and secure a return to the Albert Hall for the first time since 2013.

"It was such a well judged performance,"Roger revealed to 4BR. "It had a few little moments of unease, but there was also so much quality about it. That overall substance just gave it the edge to get second place."

Changing of the Guard

'Pageantry's' resplendent echoes of medieval regality may reflect traditional concepts of place and position, but there was also evidence on show that it may also have revealed an emerging change in the hierarchy of banding nobility in the region.

Co-operative Funeralcare North West's admirably delivered account under Jef Sparkes secured their best finish since 2014 in coming fourth, with Ashton-Under-Lyne once again showing their all round solidity led by Phil Chalk with their third top- five finish in a row.

It meant that behind them came former champion Wingates in sixth, as they failed to make an immediate return to Kensington Gore, whilst Leyland's miserable run at Blackpool continued off the number 1 draw — with the 10 time former champion enduring their lowest finish since 2009.

Curious approaches

For others, some curious stylistic approaches may have accounted for their final positions, as 'Pageantry' once again revealed that despite its age and relative technical ease, it can still inflict a fearsome bite on MDs who think it requires a complete musical re-evaluation rather than a considered restoration.

In some cases it was like finding someone had decided to build a plastic conservatory at Windsor Castle, as oddly thought odd tempo choices and a lack of dynamic coherence robbed the music of its heraldic contrasts of pomp and circumstance.

No such worries for Foden's though as they displayed a touch of regal pomp of their own to claim a second successive North West Regional title in majestic style.

The clarity and detail, especially at the lower dynamic range was excellent. Everything was in its place and it was a clear margin ahead for usAdjudicator, Dr Roger Webster

Result:

Championship Section:

Test Piece: Pageantry (Herbert Howells)
Adjudicators: David Lancaster and Dr Roger Webster

1. Foden's (Prof Nicholas Childs)*
2. Milnrow (Mark Bentham)*
3. Fairey (Garry Cutt)**
4. Co-operative Funeralcare North West (Jeff Sparkes)
5. Ashton-Under-Lyne (Philip Chalk)
6. Wingates (Paul Andrews)
7. Leyland (Thomas Wyss)
8. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Stig Maersk)
9. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
10. Diggle (Steven Walsh)
11. Roberts Bakery (Simon Stonehouse)
12. Blackburn & Darwen (Neil Samuel)

*Foden's and Milnrow qualify for National Finals
**Fairey pre-qualified