*
banner

Report & Result: 2024 Second Section National Championship of Great Britain

St Austell takes the Second Section National title honours in Cheltenham.

Cheltenham Centaur
  St Austell celebrate their National title success

Although hewn from the tough contesting coal seams of Yorkshire, Steve Sykes has enjoyed a successful association with Cornish brass bands for well over 30 years.

Since the mid-1980s he has taken Camborne, Carharrack St Day, Mount Charles and Bodmin on the contest stage. He first linked up with St Austell in 2014, and since his return to regular conducting in 2022 has once again found a warm welcome with the band nestled on the county's beautiful south coast.

Joint rejuvenation

They are currently undergoing a rejuvenation that mirrors the ambitious St Austell cultural regeneration project that has breathed new life into a small town that has boasted a brass band for well over a century. And although they dropped into the Second Section in 2023 for the first time since national restructuring in 1992, they have bounced back impressively.

With a core of experienced performers boosted by talented youngsters nurtured through their well-established youth band set-up led by Anna Minear (who did a great deal of the contest preparation) they won the West of England Area title under Adam Glynn earlier this year, followed by victory at the Bugle Contest in June.

Now they are National Champion. Hopefully it will be the first of many more successes to come for the band and their popular conductor.

Hard fought

It was certainly a hard-fought battle for the honours on Etienne Crausaz's 'Albinus Variations'.

Adjudicator Andrea Price (joined by Dr Brett Baker and Ian Porthouse) revealed in her pre-results speech that it was "tight at the top", although "a few bands stood out" with their ability to maintain a clearly defined narrative link to the essential hymnal substance of the chorale variants of the score.

Based on Bach's 'Alle Menschen mussen sterben' chorales, the foundation was added to by a magpie mix of nods of appreciation as well as a few thievish elements lifted by the Swiss composer from other sources — from Thomas Tallis to Peter Graham.

And whilst there were substantive demands on the main soloists (especially the opening horn, cornet and euph) as well as the ensemble (including a busy perc team), as Andrea stated, the best brought musical style as well as technical substance to the fore.

Buzzing St Austell

The best for them came from the West of England champion, as Steve Sykes drew a detailed, elegant account of soloist solidity and ensemble security from his Cornish band.

"You gave it your all", Andrea said in her written remarks, whilst Ian Porthouse summed it up by saying it was, "Overall a cracking performance". Brett Baker called it, "a fine performance, lots of control and good command of transitions and tempos."

The celebrations that followed the announcement were wonderfully joyful, St Austell later stating on their Facebook page that they were "still buzzing" more than 24 hours later. They have every reason to be proud of their achievement — as has Steve Sykes, who provided a timely reminder of his inherent skills as an inspirational conductor.

Close behind

Close behind came a series of high-quality performances that filled the top-six places and beyond.

Sklemersdale's impressively constructed account led by Benjamin Coulsen also showcased a band further regenerated in confidence after winning the Third Section National title here in 2022. A splendid set of soloists led the way, with just a few noticeable minor errors perhaps denying them further National glory.

A solidly portrayed account with neatly observed twists from Besses Boys and James Holt was third. Even what seemed like the sound of an errant digital metronome going off (it turned out to be the alarm on a fire door) didn't put them off as they produced a bold, robust account.

Fine lead lines

There was also a great deal of engaging playing to enjoy from the remaining top-six, with Audley providing the excellent number 1 marker that deservedly held its own to come fourth. Tom Hancock's band played with admirable ensemble solidity and fine lead lines — the pick the 'Best Soloist' award winner Jon Gibbs on solo cornet.

Fine solo playing on show too with fifth placed Diggle, with MD Sean Conway using all his musical nous to create a performance very much the sum of its controlled parts, whilst contrast came with the exuberance and filmatic sweep of Philip Fisher's take with City of Cambridge — boosted by a fantastic young perc team.

Little separating the rest of the top-10 either, with Newmains & District heading well directed, if occasionally inconsistent accounts from St Keverne, Raunds Temperance and South Yorkshire Police — the latter perhaps a tad unlucky they didn't end up in the main prizes.

Another late night finish

Few complaints you suspect from the remaining contenders — from Saint Sebastian Wokingham down to Broxburn & Livingston, each of whom brought the variant characteristics out from the score, despite more obvious technical inconsistencies.

However, with the last few bands having to wait until after 9.00pm on a Sunday night to take to the stage (a little earlier than the Saturday) to play to a supportive audience as tired and fatigued as the performers themselves, the atmosphere in the hall became increasingly deflated. It must have been exhausting for bands drawn both early and late.

Being unable to start your National title winning celebrations because the bar was being shut just as you got your hands on the trophy isn't great — although the players and supporters of St Austell Band will surely have made up for any lost time in the days that followed.

Iwan Fox

Overall a cracking performance Ian Porthouse's written summing up of St Austell's winning performance

Result:

Section 2:


Test Piece: Albinus Variations (Etienne Crausaz)
Adjudicators: Andrea Price, Dr Brett Baker, Ian Porthouse

1. St Austell Town (Steve Sykes)
2. Skelmersdale Prize (Benjamin Coulson)
3. Besses Boys (James Holt)
4. Audley (Tom Hancock)
5. Diggle (Sean Conway)
6. City of Cambridge (Philip Fisher)
7. Newmains & District (Paul McKelvie)
8. St Keverne (Karl Long)
9. Raunds Temperance (Jonathan Pippen)
10. South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker)
11. Saint Sebastian Wokingham (John Watts)
12. Durham Miners' Association (Stuart Gray)
13. Abertillery Town (Stephen Sykes)
14. Emley (Tim Sidwell)
15. Tilbury (Melvin White)
16. Usk (Jamie Jones)
17. Ferryhill Town (Jonathan Fenwick)
18. Gosport Solent (Phillip Littlemore)
19. Broxburn & Livingston (Charlie Farren)

Best Soloist: Jon Gibbs (Principal Cornet) — Audley Brass

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


MnOZIL bRASS

Record ticket sales for Mnozil Brass

December 13 • Tickets are likely to be very scarce for Mnozil's 30th anniversary appearance at Symphony Hall next June — even with more than six months to go before taking to the stage.


Prof Nicholas Childs

Fellowship honour for Nicholas Childs at the RNCM

December 13 • The Black Dyke Band Director of Music is honoured alongside leading figures in the music, broadcasting and regional development sectors in becoming a Fellow of the Royal Northern College of Music.


Katrina

Marzella-Wheeler nominated for RPS Inspiration Award

December 12 • Katrina Marzella-Wheeler is one of the four nominations looking to claim public support to claim the annual Royal Philharmonic Society's 'Inspiration Award'.


NASUWT Riverside

North East culture award for NASUWT Riverside

December 12 • NASUWT Riverside gain recognition for its part in the North East Culture Awards' 'Performance of the Year' at the Durham Brass Festival.


Longridge Band - Christmas Concert

Saturday 7 December • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HJ


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 7 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF120JZ


Enderby Band - Broughton Astley Rock Choir

Friday 13 December • Thomas Estley Community College. 2 Station Road. Broughton Astley. Leicestershire LE9 6PT


Bedford Town Band - Bedford Town Band Brass Academy

Saturday 14 December • Putnoe Heights Church MK418EB


Newstead Brass - Christmas Showcase 2024

Saturday 14 December • St Wilfrid's Church, Church Street, Kirkby in Ashfield NG17 8LA


Besses o'th' Barn Band

December 12 • Due to a change of circumstances. The band now require one front row cornet and two back row cornets to complete our line up for the North West Area Contest in Blackpool..


Wakefield Metropolitan Brass Band

December 10 • Solo Baritone and Percussion required to add to the band building towards the NEMBBA and area contests. Under the Direction of Duncan Beckley, the band is keen to fill the few remaining seats to add to the continually improving ensemble.


Barnsley Brass

December 10 • Barnsley Brass requires an Eb bass player. We are based in Worsbrough Bridge on the A61 just south of Barnsley. Rehearsals are Monday and Thursday evenings at 8pm in our purpose built bandroom.


Jack Capstaff

Bmus (Hons)
Conductor | Composer


               

 © 2024 4barsrest.com Ltd