Report & Results: 2017 French Open

Reg Vardy returns home 'avec tous les honneurs' from the French Open in Amboise.

Reg Vardy Band won the French Open title in Amboise on the weekend to ensure that their 18 hour trip home from the Loire Valley to the north east of England was one full of well deserved celebrations.

Sparkling set

Under the baton of Russell Gray they took the Elite Division honours and a prize package of over â‚¬2,400 with a sparkling programme set in the splendid Theatre Municipal Beaumarchais that included the opening 'Ye Morning Stars of Light' by Andi Cook, followed by the trombone solo 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square' played by Andrew Enzor, and a compelling account of the set-work, Kenneth Downie's 'St Magnus'.

Although the contest field was down on numbers this year, a strong performance from Dutch challengers Soli Brass pushed Reg Vardy all the way, with a fine account from fellow Brits East London Brass coming third.

Worked hard

Just to round things off nicely Reg Vardy also added the March prize after giving a rousing open air rendition of 'The President' earlier in the day — although they certainly worked hard for their efforts by giving a splendid evening Gala Concert performance that started at 9.30pm and finished just after midnight.

During the concert the band gave a moving performance of the hymn tune 'Manchester' in recognition of those lost and injured during the recent terrorist atrocity in the city.

Warm welcome

Band spokesperson Graeme Tindall told 4BR: "It was a long weekend, especially in terms of travel, but it was well worth it for the warm welcome we received and the success achieved on the contest and concert stage.

Amboise is a lovely place to host a brass band contest — especially when we had plenty to celebrate too!"

Top class

MD Russell Gray was also delighted by his band's efforts: "It said a great deal about the commitment that after leaving early on Thursday morning and getting to Amboise on Friday afternoon the band was still able to produce top class performances on every occasion.

It was a great weekend, even if it was a bit exhausting, and our thanks go to everyone involved in the organisation of the French Open for making it such a memorable trip."

Congratulations

Meanwhile, the band's Associate Partners also offered their congratulations, with a spokesperson for Geneva Instruments stating: "The Geneva Group would like to send our congratulations to the Reg Vardy Band. They performed wonderfully to become 2017 champion and to provide a memorable gala concert."

Brass Band Atout Vent directed by William Houssoy was the sole entrant in the Second Section, whilst there was delight Regent Community Brass in the Fourth/Youth Section as they took the honours under the direction of MD, Christopher Bearman.

It was a long weekend, especially in terms of travel, but it was well worth it for the warm welcome we received and the success achieved on the contest and concert stageBand spokesperson Graeme Tindall

Results:

Adjudicators: Chris Jeans (President), Ludovic Neurohr, Frederic Theodoloz

Championship Section:

Set Work: St Magnus (Kenneth Downie)

1. Reg Vardy (Russell Gray) — 116.00
2. Soli Brass (Ann Van Der Berg) — 113.00
3. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill) — 112.00

Second Section:

Set Work: Hollywood! (Goff Richards)

1. Brass Band Atout Vent (William Houssoy) — 114.00

Fourth Section & Youth:

Set Work: St Andrews Variations (Alan Fernie)

1. Regent Community Brass (Christopher Bearman) — 110.00
2. Brass Band Du CCR De Tours (David Hubert) — 109.00

Best Soloist: Arnaud Peru (cornet) — Brass Band A Tout Vent

March Competition:

Adjudicator: John Hudson

1. Reg Vardy (Russell Gray) — 92
2. Soli Brass (Ann Van Der Berg) — 90
3. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill) — 88
4. Brass Band Atout Vent (William Houssoy) — 87
5. Regent Community Brass (Christopher Bearman) — 83
6. Brass Band Du CRR De Tours (David Hubert) — 81