A boldy portrayed performance of 'Blitz' saw Parc & Dare maintain their run of fine contesting form as they claimed the £500 top prize at the ConsTest Contest at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Conducted by Dewi Griffiths, the First Section National finalist added to their recent podium finish at the Welsh Open and win at the Welsh Regional Championship with a clear cut victory on Derek Bourgeois's visceral work.

Happy

It was a rendition that combined drive and atmosphere, with the MD keeping control of any inkling the ensemble had to rush to its explosive conclusion, whilst also allowing space for more lyrical moments to emerge on a solid 'Best Basses' led foundation — especially from 'Best Instrumentalist' flugel player, Andrea Lewis.

"I'm very happy," Dewi later told 4BR. "The players have worked so hard to take their performances to a new level of consistency and push themselves forward. We have eight players in the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, three representing Wales in the European Youth Band, so we are building for the future.

'Blitz' is one of my favourite pieces, but also one that I felt would challenge the band in a positive way. I think they showed that today."

His approach was echoed by the written remarks from judges Alan Morrison and Ryan Watkins.

"So much to commend in just attempting this mega piece and most of it came off," Alan said, whilst Ryan added: "This was simply brilliant. Was it perfect? No. Was it a fantastic effort on a challenging piece? Yes. A risk that paid off — classy soloists (especially flugel), outstanding trombones and an exciting reading."

Musical challenges

The contest certainly showcased the musical challenges opted for by the 18 Championship to Fourth Section bands from five different regions of the country. They provided 17 different works for Alan and Ryan to compare — from reprises of recent Area test-pieces to other ambitiously considered options.

The top-six finishers all pushed themselves with new works following the recent Area contests, with Tewit Silver delivering 'The Raid' by Oliver Waespi with solid purpose and character to add the 'Highest Placed Championship Section' prize and the 'Best Back Row' award to the £425 gained by coming runner-up.

Meanwhile, third placed Audley Brass, who also qualified for a trip to Cheltenham at the Midlands Area, opted for 'Albinus Variations' by Etienne Crausaz played with colourful ensemble style and aided by the excellent contribution of their 'Best Euphonium' award winner, Ruth Fuller.

First Section Jackfield provided a neatly portrayed account of Martin Ellerby's 'Chivalry' to end fourth ahead of defending champion Sovereign Brass. Their hat-track seeking ambitions were derailed by too many errors in their rendition of 'Montage'. The final top-six place went to Thoresby Colliery with a well-directed 'Tallis Variations'.

Feel good factor

It was a long but highly enjoyable day for the judges, with Alan Morrison saying that he felt there had been "a feel good factor" about the event and the music performed.

And whilst he revealed that the own-choice format can sometimes be an "uneven playing field", the task was to judge the bands against the choices of the music, not simply against the level of opposition.

Despite his personal preference for closed adjudication, it still meant "looking for the basics and for consistency"- the latter providing a key element in some performances on choices that were overly challenging in their ambition.

Ryan Watkins generous assessment that there had been "18 fantastic performances" was tempered by his observation that intonation issues "were apparent across all bands".

Ratby joy

There was joy for 'Highest Placed Second Section Band' and 'Most Promising Lower Section Band' Ratby Mid Band as they produced a fine reprise of the Area test-piece, 'Friendly Takeover' to finish in seventh. It would have been an uplifting trip back to Yorkshire too for Wakefield Metropolitan as they took the 'Highest Placed Third Section' award in eighth with their repeat of 'Arkansas'.

City of Birmingham, with guest principal cornet Luke Barker of Flowers taking the 'Best Cornet' prize in their performance of 'Oceans', and Staffordshire, playing 'In Memoriam RK', filled the remaining top 10- slots.

Midlands Fourth Section champion Syston continued their fine run of form as they showed quality and ambition with a colourful account of 'The Mermaid of Zennor' to take the 'Highest Placed Fourth Section Band' prize.

Attractive fixture

Now in its third year, the ConsTest Birmingham Open has quickly become an attractive fixture in the contesting calendar, with its ethos of openness (not just with its adjudication) and inclusivity providing a wide-ranging and enjoyable span of music making.

Organiser Mike Foley-Hall took the opportunity to thank the competing bands as well as sponsors and traders. His request for those who want the ConsTest to continue to "be vocal"in their support is sure to find plenty of people in loud voice.

You can enjoy all the performances 'on demand' by subscribing to: www.nxtod.com

Iwan Fox

The players have worked so hard to take their performances to a new level of consistency and push themselves forwardParc & Dare MD, Dewi Griffiths

Result:

Adjudicators: Alan Morrison; Ryan Watkins

1. Parc & Dare (Dewi Griffiths)
2. Tewit Silver (Martin Hall)
3. Audley Brass (Tom Hancock)
4. Jackfield (Simon Platford)
5. Sovereign Brass (David Maplestone)
6. Thoresby Colliery Band (Luke Pallister)
7. Ratby Mid Band (Nicholas Garman)
8. Wakefield Metropolitan (Duncan Beckley MBE)
9. City of Birmingham (Saphran Ali)
10. Staffordshire Band (Lee Woodward)
11. ClockFace Miners Heritage Band (Will Haw)
12. Nailsworth Silver (Anri Adachi)
13. Syston Band (Alex Bland)
14. City of Wrexham Brass Band (Scott Lloyd)
15. Harborough (Ben Smith)
16. Amington (Chris Barker)
17. Croft Silver (Henry Dunger)
18. Cleobury Mortimer Concert Brass (Chris Cobon)

Highest Placed Championship Section Band: Tewit Silver
Highest Placed First Section Band: Parc & Dare
Highest Placed Second Section Band: Ratby Mid Band
Highest Placed Third Section Band: Wakefield Metropolitan
Highest Placed Fourth Section Band: Syston

Best Instrumentalist: Andrea Lewis (flugel) — Parc & Dare
Best Cornet: Luke Barker (City of Birmingham)
Best Euphonium: Ruth Fuller (Audley Brass)
Best Bass Section: Parc & Dare
Best Back Row Cornets: Tewit Silver
Most Promising Lower Section Band: Ratby Mid
Highest Supported Band: Sovereign Brass