"A performance of stature" saw Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band win the Senior Cup in commanding fashion in Blackpool.

Although the contest venue was some 10,500 miles from Captain Cook's original landing spot in Botany Bay, such was the musical authority displayed of the 'Terra Australis' score by conductor Thomas Wyss and his banding crew, that they also secured the title winning deeds of ownership with little argument from rival claimants.

There was certainly no doubt in the minds of the judges.

It saw adjudicator Alan Morrison add to his initial written observation by saying that their rendition of Martin Ellerby's colourful work, "...explored every nuance and rounded every corner with a set of soloists that performed to the high standard of the band."

Fellow judge Helen Varley was equally impressed, calling it, "...a superb performance, easily the cleanest we have heard but also driven and exciting."

Class act

Theirs was the class act of a competitive field; Thomas Wyss revealing granular detail without ever losing the evocative sense of what the composer called an "intoxicating" antipodean landscape.

The balanced ensemble work was added to by cadenzas played with elan (notably their 'Best Instrumentalist prize-winning euphonium Luke Spence) with the 'ANZAC moment' of reflection measured in lyrical emotion.

The 'Anthem for a Nation' finale had a triumphant sense of spirit that turned out to be entirely appropriate.

Pemberton will be joined at Birmingham Town Hall in 2026 by fellow North West Area rivals Milnrow, as the duo that finished on the cusp of Albert Hall qualification in Blackpool in February, ended a clear margin ahead of their rivals.

They were led by London qualifier Ebbw Valley Brass as the Welsh band continued their rich vein of form in coming third, with a delighted Ratby Co-operative making an immediate Grand Shield return following last year's relegation, in fourth. The remaining top-six places went to Elland Silver and Verwood Concert.

Emotional victory

It was an emotional victory for Pemberton, whose former Band President, Keith Hollinshead (who died in May 2024), was a stalwart supporter not only of his beloved band but also of the British Open series of contests.

"That one was for Keith,"Band Secretary, Adam Roby later told 4BR, as he reflected on a victory that propelled them back towards the British Open, a contest they last played in over 80 years ago.

"We've enjoyed some great times over the years, but this was our first contest victory since 2017, so there will be plenty to celebrate. I'm sure Keith will be raising a glass somewhere."

He added: "'Terra Australis' proved to be a great test, and our thanks got to Thomas Wyss who really brought out the music as well as the detail. He wanted control from start to finish and I think the band did just that. We've got a great foundation to build further on."

Foundation build

It was about bands' building a performance on a secure foundation base that Alan highlighted in his pertinent pre-results remarks, as well as later when talking to 4BR.

As he explained, Martin Ellerby's composition is a deliberate character portrait of country rich in history, beauty, drama and optimism — elements the judges felt that Pemberton and Milnrow and in particular highlighted without recourse to artifice or lose of basic considerations of balance, dynamic and pacing relevance.

Good standard

"I have to admit to being concerned that this piece was perhaps technically too difficult for the section, but I have to say that on the whole I was proved wrong, and the general standard was good," Alan said. "The top two were ahead of the pack with a clear winner for us with some outstanding individual performances on show."

Helen agreed: "Martin Ellerby stressed the importance of hearing performances that gave a musically cohesive story, and Alan and I both felt that the top two were clear leaders in pulling all the details out of the score with great conviction.

Pemberton in particular gave a solid performance that was hard to find fault with, and you really got a sense that everyone from soprano right down to Bb bass worked together in passing the musical lines back and forth."

Quality markers

Two quality markers for them to gauge the 20 contenders came right from the start of the contest in the Pavilion Theatre, as Elland Silver led by Ben Dixon were immediately followed by Ratby Co-operative conducted by Ian McElligott.

The Yorkshire band eventually finished a fine fifth with the Midlanders a place ahead of them after performances notable for the measured consideration of the scores by the MDs and the secure playing of their ensembles.

Milnrow bar

However, it was Milnrow that raised the qualification bar to a new level, as Christopher Binns moulded evocative playing from his uber-confident ensemble, led by his wife Stephanie on principal cornet. Both exciting and enticing, the drama levels were not over-egged, but neither was the emotion. It had a quality stamp worthy of its new Grand Shied status.

As the contest wore on it was the band to beat — topped only in the end by an outstanding winner in Pemberton.

For Ebbw Valley and MD Matthew Rowe in third it was yet another indicator of their increasing top level quality, as they secured a second successive Spring Festival promotion (to go with their Welsh Open victory and Royal Albert Hall qualification) in what is fast becoming a memorable contesting season. Just a few little minor clips and uncertainties chipped the veneer of yet another impressive contest outing.

With the contest moving towards its conclusion, Verwood Concert Brass further endorsed the form they showed at the West of England Area Championships, as they finished sixth under the baton of Kevin Smith with a performance of solid execution and musical sensibility.

Reservations allayed

As Alan Morrison revealed, any reservations he might have had before the contest were allayed somewhat by the subsequent overall quality on show, with the top-10 finishers of Haverhill, Tongwynlais Temperance, Marsden and Derwent delivering accounts of substance, whilst it was the usual tale of consistency, or lack of it in execution that undermined the chances of the midfield finishers.

Few complaints you feel from the bottom four of Newtongrange Silver, City of Hull, City of Cardiff (Melingriffth) and Kingdom Brass who on this occasion didn't bring their best form to the stage with them and fell through the relegation trap door to the Senior Trophy.

Malcolm Wood and Matthew Ruel

A performance of stature that explored every nuance and rounded every corner with a set of soloists that performed to the high standard of the bandAdjudicator, Alan Morrison

Result:

The Senior Cup:

Test Piece: Terra Australis (Martin Ellerby)
Adjudicators: Alan Morrison; Helen Varley

1. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Thomas Wyss)*
2. Milnrow (Christopher Binns)*
3. Ebbw Valley Brass (Matthew Rowe)*
4. Ratby Co-operative (Ian McElligott)*
5. Elland Silver (Ben Dixon)
6. Verwood Concert (Kevin Smith)
7. Haverhill Silver (Paul Filby)
8. Tongwynlais Temperance (Owen Farr)
9. Marsden Silver (Andrew Lofthouse)
10. Derwent Brass (Jack Capstaff)
11. Shepherd Brass (Richard Wilton)
12. Kirkintilloch (Hedley Benson)
13. Dalmellington (Andrew Duncan)
14. Unite the Union (Jonathan Beatty)
15. Tylorstown (Robert Westacott)
16. Thundersley Brass (Melvin White)
17. Newtongrange Silver (Anne Crookston)**
18. City of Hull (Daniel Brooks)**
19. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (David Hamilton)**
20. Kingdom Brass (Alistair Gibson)**

*Promoted to Grand Shield
**Relegated to Senior Trophy

Best Instrumentalist: Luke Spence (euphonium) — Pemberton Old Wigan DW