A performance of imposing confidence saw Dobcross Silver claim gold and glory to round off the National Finals weekend in appropriate regal style.

Led by Jason M Smith, the North West Regional Champion added yet another major accolade to their 150-year CV list of successes, with a performance of 'Music from the Royal Palaces' rich in musical character and substance.

Experience counts

In recent years alone the partnership has claimed the Fourth Section National title (2022) to go with numerous other contest wins.

That experience counted as taking to the stage as penultimate band of an engaging contest, it saw them sneak through in true Cheltenham last furlong fashion to deny last year's Fourth Section National Champion, Betteshanger Colliery Welfare a second success.

Third place went to a fine early marker from City of Wrexham, with Barnsley Metropolitan leading the brace of Scottish contenders of St Ronan's Silver and Renfrew Burgh to complete a high quality top-six.

Stylish arrangement

Michael Halstenson's stylish arrangement of the 1960s television series about the histories behind the walls of the royal residences cleverly retained the essential elements of the episodic Bliss score.

His delight at being able to attend his first ever brass band contest (with his great friend Prof Philio Wilby who persuaded him to arrange the suite) was enhanced by performances that saw each band bring something different in character out of the score.

That saw the opening youthful tread of Queen Victoria's 'Call to the Throne' followed by a quirky, repeated 'Lander' waltz, the equestrian portraiture of jousting knights and the visceral Holyrood murder, before the television end credits of the 'Royal Palace' theme.

No one unscathed

Character was something adjudicator Martin Heartfield (joined by Gary Davies and Andrea Price) spoke of in his pre-results address, calling it a "demanding arrangement" that left "no one unscathed" in trying to bring the differing elements through "to create the musical pictures" required.

It also made for a very different kind of test-piece test — technically within the capabilities of just about every band, but with only the best really able to capture what Martin called "the difficult stylistic nuances", some more obvious than others.

Prize winning substance for the trio came as a result of consistency in tempos and dynamics across the five movements, (the 'waltz' and murder scenes in particular which they felt sometimes became too aggressive and scrappy) aided by "a great standard"of soloists and percussion.

Dobcross fundamentals

Dobcross Silver and Jason M Smith certainly had that for them. "The fundamentals are all in place and you achieved a good balance of style and control," Andrea wrote in summing up her remarks, whilst Gary called its "a good stylish performance... a performance of stature and control". Martin himself described it as having "so much to enjoy" which allowed "the musical picture to appear".

Plenty of pictures to commemorate the victory too — especially from the stage after they were declared champions by compere David Hayward.

By the time they got home, the local radio and press were also keen to tell the story of their success, with a feature in the Saddleworth Independent saying that "they hit all the right notes".

Band President John Holden was quoted as saying: "It was a long day for the band, but they all stayed focussed", whilst Band Chairperson Andy Black added that the win added to "an incredible 150th anniversary year" and that it was "another proud day for the band and for Dobcross".

The National Championship success will now also be marked at a special Gala Concert on November 22nd at Uppermill Civic Hall.

Betteshanger pride

Although there will have been an element of disappointment for Betteshanger Colliery Welfare, the impressive London & Southern Counties champion conducted by Michael West will also have taken great pride in their efforts to claim a second successive National title.

On just about any other day, it would have been enough to do just that — each palace portrait framed by excellent understanding and musicality as well as featuring some super personal contributions — notably from their 'Most Outstanding Player' award winner, Nigel Bogue on soprano.

Wrexham splendour

The early contest marker came from City of Wrexham off the number 2 draw, as they set out a vibrant account that balanced regal splendour with murderous intent under Scott Lloyd to give Welsh banding its best result of the weekend. It was a fine effort that deserved its reward.

Behind them Barnsley Metropolitan maintained the impressive showing of Yorkshire representatives over the weekend with a performance that grew in stature, whilst the top-six was completed by the stylish Scots of St Ronan's Silver and evocative Renfrew Burgh.

Small margins

Such were the small margins between many of the bands (Martin Heartfield admitting that the judges "took time over their decisions") that there was very little to choose between the host of midfield finishers.

The top-10 was completed by Putney & Wimbledon, Trimdon Concert, Flookburgh Silver and Oughtibridge, all of whom will have known that they were pretty close to getting a mention from the stage.

Elsewhere, the little errors were more marked, the subtitles in style, pacing and dynamic not as defined.

However, from Littleport down to Bideford Town all produced performances of substance and character — with the approach to the tricky 'waltz' and the murder of Rizzio in particular showing understanding of stately dancing and sinister stabbing.

Iwan Fox

By the time they got home, the local radio and press were also keen to tell the story of their success, with a feature in the Saddleworth Independent saying that "they hit all the right notes"4BR

Result:

Third Section:

Music from The Royal Palaces (Arthur Bliss arr. Michael Halstenson)
Adjudicators: Gary Davies; Martin Heartfield; Andrea Price

1. Dobcross Silver (Jason Smith)
2. Betteshanger Colliery Welfare (Mike West)
3. City of Wrexham (Scott Lloyd)
4. Barnsley Metropolitan (Alex Francis)
5. St Ronan's Silver (Michael Marzella)
6. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good)
7. Putney & Wimbledon (Dr. Sam Topp)
8. Trimdon Concert (Andrew Hall)
9. Flookburgh Silver (John Iveson)
10. Oughtibridge (John Hopkinson)
11. Littleport (Ian Johnson)
12. Swindon (Steve Yorke)
13. Thrapston Town (Nathan Waterman)
14. Rivington & Adlington (Malcolm Wilson)
15. Ibstock Brick (Jon Penton)
16. Avonbank (Evesham) (Micah Parsons)
17. Bratton Silver (Kyle Blake)
18. Pilling Jubilee Silver (Joshua Hughes)
19. Mid Rhondda (Adrian Morton)
20. Bideford Town (Paul Moulton)

Most Outstanding Player: Nigel Bogue (soprano) — Betteshanger Colliery