Boarshurst Silver, a band with a historic connection to the British Open Championship going back to 1879, took the first step towards a future return by winning the Senior Trophy.
As shown by Amersham on the same day, the ultimate goal of an appearance at Symphony Hall is now potentially just two (albeit substantial) steps away. If the North West band can build on the quality shown here under their Cornish conductor Jamie Prophet they will certainly be in with a shout.
The former Principal Trumpet of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra moulded a thoroughly engaging account of Malcolm Arnold's 'Fantasy for Brass Band', that captured both its energy and melancholy with intuitive understanding to secure a well-deserved victory.
Joining them in the Senior Cup in 2026 will be others with British Open ambitions of their own in East London Brass, Woodfalls and Easington Colliery.
Stylistic performance
Arnold's own trumpet playing background (with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic) may not have been a key element of musical inspiration, but Jamie Prophet's refined appreciation of his essential compositional characteristics of rhythmic precision, tunefulness and deeper currents of emotion, certainly were.
It was certainly appreciated in the box in a bright and warm Spanish Hall by the judges.
"A musical and stylistic performance which maintained to the end. Good ensemble and solo performances. This band showed depth of sound," wrote adjudicator Lt Col Lauren Petritz-Watts. Her colleague, Morgan Griffiths succinctly called it "A very enjoyable performance".
Endorsed
The remarks further endorsed both the pre-results analysis and later observations of the Director of Music for the Band of the Welsh Guards when speaking to at the results ceremony: "At first glance you could say the piece is easy — but that is a very short-sighted view.
It provides a challenge for the ensemble as a whole. And the bands who were successful focused on ensemble cohesion and harmonic balance, providing clear musical intent and direction of the piece considered as a whole, rather than separate sections."
It was an analysis of military clarity; noting the need for consistency in the re-iteration of repeated thematic material, balanced harmonic lines, articulation and tempi markings, especially the observation of subtle rather than over-revved accelerando.
Lt Col Lauren Petritz-Watts concluded: "The overall standard had been hugely rewarding. The winners and qualifiers really thought about how they were going to portray their performance and provided a consistent musical account with depth and stamina, making the piece sound alive and relevant now as it was in 1984."
Pertinent feel
There was certainly a very pertinent musical feel to Boarshurst's performance which provided the judges with the distinctive high quality marker from the number 13 draw that could not be beaten, despite the fine efforts of East London Brass and Woodfalls in particular soon after.
Speaking about the victory that came from it, MD Jamie Prophet later told 4BR: "Boarshurst are a wonderful band. I've been with them now for around three and a half years and in that time we've grown together and are now seeing the tangible results of all the hard work.
There's talent, enthusiasm and that great work ethic. This is a great way to celebrate our 175th anniversary which I know has motivated us to reach for higher and higher standards — and perhaps that British Open return one day."
Future ELB debut?
One band looking to make that Symphony Hall debut, as they will be at the Royal Albert Hall later this year, will be London & Southern Counties Area champion, East London Brass.
Led by Jayne Murrill, their collective confidence buoyed by that Area win in March was obvious as they delivered a performance of notable style and security, the contrasts between the sections consistently maintained with an elegant stylistic feel.
There was little doubt that they would be in the qualification mix as soon as they played.
Woodfalls has enjoyed appearing at the British Open in much more recent history than the winners (back in 2016). However, after a period of rebuilding following successive relegations, they rekindled future hopes under the baton of Joshua Ruck with a qualification performance of verve and substance (led by their excellent 'Best Instrumentalist' flugel player Kevin Darby).
The final qualification place went to Easington Colliery, who also built on recent form with a well worked account led by Graeme Tindall that provided to be the best of first half contenders to finish ahead of top-six finishers Enderby and Parc & Dare.
Relevant
Pontardulais, Longridge, Goodwick and Dalkeith & Monktonhall also produced performances of merit, if occasionally scrappiness in making up the top-10.
As Lt Col Lauren Petritz-Watts stated, 'Fantasy for Brass Band' remains as relevant a test of top section credentials today as it was 41 years ago, as the bands that finished in the lower midfield places and in the bottoming four relegation spots will know.
Malcolm Wood and Matthew Ruel
A musical and stylistic performance which maintained to the endLt Col Lauren Petritz-Watts.
Result:
The Senior Trophy:
Test Piece: Fantasy for Brass Band (Malcolm Arnold)
Adjudicators: Morgan Griffiths; Lt Col Lauren Petritz-Watts
1. Boarshurst Silver (Jamie Prophet)*
2. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)*
3. Woodfalls (Joshua Ruck)*
4. Easington Colliery (Graeme Tindall)*
5. Enderby (Michael Fowles)
6. Parc & Dare (Dewi Griffiths)
7. Pontardulais (Paul Jenkins)
8. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
9. Goodwick (Stephen Sykes)
10. Dalkeith & Monktonhall (James Chamberlain)
11. Tyldesley (Neil Samuel)
12. Unite Scotland Kinneil Band (Allan Ramsay)
13. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
14. Yorkshire Imperial (Stephen Malcolm)
15. Roche Brass (Matthew Green)
16. Newstead (Martin Hartfield)
17. Brunel Brass (Daniel Hall)
18. Roberts Bakery (Mike Jones)
19. Blackburn & Darwen (Daniel Thomas)
20. Brass Band of Central England (Stephen Cooper)
*Promoted to Senior Cup
Best Instrumentalist: Kevin Darby (flugel) — Woodfalls
