The talented youngsters of Wardle Academy Youth Band continued their dominance of the Intermediate Championship Section by successfully retaining their title under the direction of Lee Rigg.

Not only did they claim a deserved Gold Award in doing so, but also secured yet another trip to represent England at the European Brass Band Championships — this time in Montreux in 2019.

They will also be one of the favourites in Utrecht in a fortnight's time on this cracking form; claiming the £350 first prize and BBE Chairman's Cup with a performance set delivered with such stylish commitment and purpose.

Scrumpy cider

Opening with James Curnow's 'Fanfare and Flourishes' they segued effortlessly into the bucolic fun and games of the set-work, 'West Country Fantasy' by Gordon Langford — played with so much authentic spirit that all that was missing was a drop of scrumpy cider for the great 'drunken' trombone player to sip during their cadenza.

Another substantial James Curnow work, 'Jubilation' rounded things off as they claimed their third title in four years with a show of vibrant musical energy.

"I'm thrilled for the players,"Lee Rigg later told 4BR. "This is such a difficult section to win against some great bands and they have so much going on in their school lives at this age. They work so hard and are so committed, so all the praise should be heaped on their shoulders."

Pushed all the way

They were certainly pushed all the way by the equally impressive Gold Award podium finishers of Elland Silver Youth and Band Pres Gwynedd a Mon.

Led by Samantha Harrison, Elland played five pieces — with Peter Graham's 'Summon the Dragon' leading into a touch of cornet playing wizardry from Daniel Clough on Goedicke's famous 'Concert Etude'. A solid rendition of the set-work was contrasted with the lyrical treatment of 'Abide With Me' before they ended with the energetic 'Starburst'.

Meanwhile, Gwynedd displayed mature warmth of tonality with their brace of substantive offerings; a finely judged set-work, followed by Peter Graham's 'The Journal of Phileas Fogg' played with richly defined character and style.

Gold merit

Just behind the top three came another well merited Gold Award for Oldham Music Centre Youth Brass Band, featuring colourful music from France to Spain via another splendidly played 'West Country Fantasy' and a super tenor horn soloist in Alice Griffith on 'Apres Un Reve'.

The overall quality of the contenders was certainly noted by the adjudicators Alan Morrison and Sandy Smith, who gave informative appraisals of what they had heard and what they were looking for.

"It was an invigorating day,"Alan said, before pinpointing the different levels of development and potential of the competing bands — all of which he said played to "a very high standard."

Sandy was equally impressed: "There was so much to sit back and enjoy,"he said, before making the request for bands to seek out yet more music from the late Gordon Langford. "Investigate his arrangements, they are superb and will benefit everyone playing them."

High standard

The high standard the judges spoke of was certainly heard from the other competitors, with Enderby Youth's principal cornet Josie Allen helping her band claim a Silver Award with a lovely 'Best Soloist' rendition of 'The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze' from 'The Mikado' — as authentic as any Gilbert and Sullivan Yum-Yum.

There were also highlights in each Silver Award performance; Macclesfield's evocative 'Spanish Impression' to open the day, MK Youth's super principal cornet Adam Chappell on 'My Love is Like Red, Red Rose', Rochdale's touching 'I'll Walk with God', Stockport's trombone soloist and Tewit's poptastic 'Africa'.

Not far behind came the solid Bronze Award winners, with Cardiff County Youth's, 'Ticket to Ride', Denbighshire's 'Mack the Knife', Egglescliffe's 'Home of Legends' and North Wilts 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' all showing their emerging quality.

A special mention though must surely go to Ted Ellis of Poynton Youth, who was a one-man 'mini-me' marvel on percussion especially on the test-piece.

He must have had six arms...

This is such a difficult section to win against some great bands and they have so much going on in their school lives at this age. They work so hard and are so committed, so all the praise should be heaped on their shouldersMD, Lee Rigg

Result:

Intermediate Section:

Adjudicators: Alan Morrison and Sandy Smith

1. Wardle Academy Youth Band (Lee Rigg) (Gold Award)
2. Elland Silver Youth Band (Samantha Harrison) (Gold Award)
3. Band Pres Gwynedd a Mon (Dylan Williams) (Gold Award)

Gold Award:

Oldham Music Centre Youth Brass Band (Jonathan Leedale)

Silver Award:

Enderby Youth Band (Trevor Hounsome)
Macclesfield Youth Brass Band (Louise Renshaw)
MK Youth Brass (Phil Devine)
Rochdale Borough Youth Band (Ben Dixon)
Stockport Schools Senior Brass Band (Iain McKnight)
Tewit Youth Senior Band (Martin Hall)

Bronze Award:

Cardiff County Youth Band (Charles Maynard)
Denbighshire Youth Band (John Powell)
Egglescliffe School Band (Matthew Haworth)
North Wilts Youth Band (Janet Rose and Alan Campbell)
Poynton Youth Brass Band (Michael Eccles)

Best Instrumentalist: Josie Allen (Cornet) Enderby Youth