On a weekend of considerable logistical challenges for the organisers of the British Open Spring Festival, it was the Sandhurst Band that overcame the musically inspired ones in the Senior Trophy to claim victory.

The ambition of the Mortimer family to try something different with the contest was laudable, but in retrospect, the decision to host it at the first floor Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space at Symphony Hall didn't work as hoped, despite the excellent stewarding of Richard Milton's contest day team.

Constructive feedback from bands has been requested. It is likely to be overwhelmingly in favour of seeking somewhere new.

Port of call

For Sandhurst, alongside Sovereign Brass, Unite Scotland Kinneil and Yorkshire Imperial, that next Spring Festival port of call will be at the Senior Cup, as they secured the promotion places on offer from adjudicators Alan Morrison and Andrea Price on Robert Farnon's 'Un Vie de Matelot'.

Speaking at the results ceremony (moved to the conclusion of the Senior Cup contest at the Town Hall due to health and safety considerations as Symphony Hall was hosting a sold out concert later that night) Andrea said that the duo had, "listened to 20 varied performances", before giving a detailed analysis of what they had been looking for in the box.

Balance was key to that, neatly described as "the Goldilocks zone" of the middle ground that was "absolutely perfect" in terms of sound, detail and articulation, clarity of texture, musical context, ensemble precision and linear phrasing.

Narrow margins

The most successful Andrea added, "managed to balance all those things", aided by fine soloists and subtle accompaniment. As a result, the narrow margins for the duo came in separating the midfield finishers.

Although perfection was perhaps impossible on a work that despite its age (written in 1975) and straightforward variant structure still posed considerable challenges to players and conductors alike, Sandhurst under MD Joshua Ruck came closest.

"Thank you for bringing the music to life and off the page. Not perfect in execution but you understood the music so well and delivered a performance of stature", wrote Alan in his remarks.

Andrea referred to it as; "A performance to be proud of. Outstanding soloists, excellent control balanced against excitement and expression. The odd blemish and minor intonation issue, but overall an accomplished and thoroughly enjoyable performance."

Boosted value

Their debut appearance victory also added yet more silverware to a Sandhurst trophy cabinet that has been boosted in value in recent times under Joshua Ruck's direction — most notably in their bold London & SC Area qualification to the Albert Hall National Final in March.

That sense of confidence also imbued a swaggering performance from the word go — led by their splendid 'Best Soloist' award winning soprano player Andrew Ashworth but also added to by the other main solo leads and the solid ensemble. They are certainly a band on an impressive upward curve of contesting progress.

The MD, who was soon to fly, rather than sail off for a well-earned sunny break, later said on his Facebook page: "Very proud of the outstanding performance given today. This year has seen the band qualify for the National Finals for the first time in their history and today, competed in the Senior Trophy also for the first time.

Delighted that it found favour with a resounding win and immediate promotion. Some really great and exciting stuff happening in this band."

Swashbuckling Sovereign

Exciting times too for Sovereign Brass. The impressive Midlanders built on their recent podium finish on the work at the ConsTest Birmingham Open to come second with a swashbuckling reprise under David Maplestone on what was their return to the Spring Festival for the first time since 2022.

In what was to be a successful father and son weekend for the Ramsay family, the experienced Allan Ramsay led Unite Scotland Kinneil to third. Lightly textured and full of folksy character it added further substance to the progress the partnership has gained since he returned to the rostrum late last year.

The final promotion spot was taken by former British Open champion Yorkshire Imperial conducted by the equally experienced Ian McElligott. They built on the performance given on the work at the recent Holme Valley contest to secure a return to the Senior Cup for the first time since 2019 with a neatly packaged number 1 marker, that deservedly held its own.

Best mark

Speaking to Allan Morrison following the results, he stated that despite some noise coming from the immediate surroundings at Symphony Hall, the acoustic at the Jennifer Backwell Space was clear and precise. "We could hear everything we wanted," he said. "The best bands made their mark on the day."

Few musical complaints then from performers about the result — although the rather cramped seating formation with the audience just a few feet away behind the conductor's back certainly made for a somewhat unfamiliar form of musical intimacy.

A brace of more lyrically inspired accounts from Roche Brass led by Matt Green and Eccles Borough, conducted for the last time by Mareika Gray, secured the remaining top-six places (the latter aided by Russell Gray on cornet). Behind them, the narrow comparison margins saw Longridge, Newstead Brass, City of Hull and Newtongrange Silver claim top-10 finishes.

Sniffer dog

On a day when bands were faced with unfamiliar challenges, the sight of an explosives sniffer dog doing his job during City of Hull Band's performance could have been considerably more off putting.

However, given the circumstances (a Peter Kay concert the night before had to be evacuated, so security at the hall was heightened accordingly) and the understanding of the band, during and after its appearance, it made for a good news story and smiles all round.

Elsewhere, the lower midfield positions would have also taken some sorting out given what Andrea referred to as the "varied" performances on a test piece that commanded respect and understanding to go with its demanding solo and detailed ensemble requirements.

Better return

The likes of Dalkeith & Monktonhall, Brunel, Parc & Dare, Pontardulais and Haydock will have known that inconsistency in execution and some wayward balances cost them in the final analysis.

As for the bottom five of Lydbrook, Goodwick, City of Cardiff (Melingriffith), Tyldesley and Filton Concert, they will now look to return next year through the series of satellite qualification events.

However, they will hope, like others, that if they do, it will be to a venue that that will offer them a better overall performance experience.

Iwan Fox

A performance to be proud of. Outstanding soloists, excellent control balanced against excitement and expressionAndrea Price on Sandhurst's winning performance

Result:

Senior Trophy

Test Piece: Un Vie de Matelot (Robert Farnon)
Adjudicators: Alan Morrison; Andrea Price

1. Sandhurst Silver (Joshua Ruck)*
2. Sovereign Brass (David Maplestone)*
3. Unite Scotland Kinneil (Allan Ramsay)*
4. Yorkshire Imperial (Ian McElligott)*
5. Roche Brass (Matt Green)
6. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
7. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
8. Newstead Brass (Martin Heartfield)
9. City of Hull (Danny Brooks)
10. Newtongrange Silver (Anne Crookston)
11. Dalkeith & Monktonhall (James Chamberlain)
12. Brunel Brass (Daniel Hall)
13. Parc & Dare (Chris Turner)
14. Pontardulais Town (Gary Davies)
15. Haydock (Mark Quinn)
16. Lydbrook (David Barringer)**
17. Goodwick (Joshua Ruck)**
18. City of Cardiff (M1) (Rob Westacott)**
19. Tyldesley (Neil Samuel)**
20. Filton Concert Brass (Craig Williams)**

Best Soloist Award: Andrew Ashworth (soprano) — Sandhurst Silver

* Promoted to Senior Cup
** Must re-qualify