A cross generation line-up of talented players in the north east showcased their emerging musical talents at the recent Durham County Brass Band Association Annual Solo, Duet & Quartet Competition held at Blackhall Community Centre.
Very impressed
Over 40 competitors from the age of 8 to 77 plus braved the elements to showcase their chosen pieces to adjudicator Matthew Howarth.
He later said that he was "very impressed with the standard across the 9 sections"and that "many of the players performed with maturity above their years". In return, the competitors and parents were full of praise for Matthew's constructive remarks.
17 year old Matthew Snaith from the Houghton Area Youth Band took the Junior Solo Section title and continued with his success in also becoming Open Solo Champion, later in the day, with a stunning performance of 'Zelda'.
At the other end of the age scale, Melvyn McCrea of NASUWT Concert Band, who recently celebrated 70 years' service to the brass band movement, won the Veterans Section performing the rarely heard 'Kathleen Mavoureen' by Frederick Crouch.
Outstanding
Mavis Lloyd, who has been the outstanding Association Secretary, presented the prizes before she stepped down from the role after 16 years.
Hugh Stephenson, Vice President of the Association told 4BR: "It was a thoroughly enjoyable day for the performers and the audience with some outstanding playing on show.
It would be great to see a few more entries from other member bands to make this event even more successful."
It was a thoroughly enjoyable day for the performers and the audience with some outstanding playing on showHugh Stephenson
Results:
Junior Solo up to 11 years:
1. Michael MacDonald (Spennymoor Town Band)
2. Darcie Lawson (Houghton Area Youth Band)
3. Alex Cockling (Houghton Area Youth Band)
Junior Solo 12-14 years:
1. Thomas Millmore (Craghead Band)
2. Eve Wardle (Houghton Area Youth Band)
3= Amelia Smith (Craghead Colliery Band)
3= William Swift (Houghton Area Youth Band)
Junior Solo 15-17 years:
1. Matthew Snaith (Houghton Area Youth Band)
2. Lydia Matterson (Houghton Area Youth Band)
3. Caitlin Millmore (Craghead Colliery)
Junior Duets up to 17 years:
1. Ankit Kumar and Eve Wardle (Houghton Area Youth Band)
2. Michael MacDonald and Harry Pears (Spennymoor Town)
3. Caitlin and Thomas Millmore (Craghead Colliery)
Brass Ensemble under 18 years:
1. Houghton Area Youth
Open Solo 16 years and over:
1. Matthew Snaith (Houghton Area Youth Band)
2. Kieran Taylor (Craghead Colliery)
3. Lydia Matterson (Houghton Area Youth Band)
Open Duet 16 and over:
1. Julie Carmichael/Kath Price (Durham Miners Association)
Open Quartet 16 and over:
1. Durham Miners Association
2. Craghead Colliery
Veterans over 50:
1. Melvyn McCrea (NASUWT Concert Band)
2. Michelle Jackson (Craghead Colliery)
3. Julie Carmichael (DMA)
