Report & Result: 2026 Spring Festival Grand Shield

Milnrow claims the Grand Shield honours to return to the British Open with Hepworth joining them.

Two of the leading figures of the new generation of brass band conducting talent led their ensembles to the British Open in September by claiming the qualification places on offer at the Grand Shield.

In recent years Christopher Binns and Ryan Watkins have made a mark with their self-confident contest leadership in inspiring not only Milnrow and Hepworth, but others to top-flight level success.

Here, although not diametrically opposite in outlook, their differing interpretations of assured certainty on Stephen Roberts' 'Star Crossed Lovers' once again caught the ears of the adjudicators. In what proved to be a fascinating contest, it gave the composer and Anne Crookston the "full technicolour" aural visualisation of "compelling storytelling" they were listening out for — the winner in particular "drawing them in".

Change the scenes

Anne's detailed pre-results analysis also echoed her remarks in judging the work with Stephen (and David Hirst) at the British Open last year.

It shouldn't have come as a surprise then that despite noting "one or two flaws", the bands able "to change the scenes" in visualising the storytelling with "authority and confidence" were successful on a day when the duo had to consider the merits as well as faults of a "variety of performances".

Interestingly, Stephen also noted that the excellence of the Town Hall acoustic ensured nothing was missed in the box. The ability to project "the thoughts and images" he said of the musical characteristics of the Prokofiev inspired ballet score, with a balance between refinement and robustness, was key.

For the duo, those who were just a "little larger than life" rather than merely trying to create overblown caricatures, gained reward.

Best displayed

They found it displayed best by Milnrow, as Christopher Binns' engaging interpretation of breadth and dramatic intent saw the North West band claim the Grand Shield for a second time and return to Symphony Hall after a nine-year break.

Now in his second year of his orchestral conducting course under Mark Heron at the RNCM in Manchester, the MD continues to enhance his personal reputation with mature appreciations of contest scores — from winning the Scottish Open with Milnrow last year to securing a London National Final place with Kirkintilloch in March.

Those hallmarks were certainly noted by the judges, with Stephen Roberts calling it, "A brilliant performance — so full of character and musical personality". And whilst a "few blemishes" were noted, he added that the band "more than made up for them and really drew the listener in."

Anne also praised an interpretation that "really painted a fantastic picture", and one that although "not without blemish", was "confident and assured."

Emotions

The picture that was going to be painted later that night in Birmingham would also have been equally as fantastic if the immediate on-stage celebrations were anything to go by.

The emotions were obvious, with the MD later stating on his Facebook page that the victory still hadn't sunk in, especially as the last few months had been, "pretty tough for the band and our people in and out of the rehearsal room."

He added that "togetherness and unity — which banding is really about", had therefore been the key behind what he called "a fantastic performance" which had allowed "the music to dance".

It was evident from the start with the MD maintaining a rounded ensemble tonality on which he moulded nuanced character styles; a playful Juliet set against the darker inclinations of the warring Montagues and Capulets, the tender naivety of Romeo and the final sense of triumphant deathly release.

In praising both individuals and ensemble contributions Chris added victory was, "another step on this band's crazy journey." There are sure to be more to come.

Collective confidence

Short odds on that also being the case for Hepworth. They lived up to their pre-contest tag as one of the title favourites with a performance that continues to be built on a huge seam of collective confidence distilled and directed by MD Ryan Watkins.

Few who heard them would have argued that they were not going to be in hunt for a third Grand Shield success let alone a quick return to the British Open following their relegation in 2024.

Impassioned, occasionally robust, but always fluently dramatic in musical intent (and arguably the 'cleanest' account of the day) it fully deserved its reward as the Yorkshire Champion provided yet further compelling evidence of their top-flight credentials. They will be a band to watch out for at the majors later this year.

Closely matched

Behind them came a closely matched field of top-six finishers, who almost but not quite were able to provide the same level of executed substance as their qualifying rivals in what were a wide-ranging scope of interpretations from their MDs.

National Champion Desford came closest with an admirable account off the number 1 draw under Ian Porthouse that just had one or two blemishes too many to have secured their place back at Symphony Hall for the first time since 2023.

Rothwell's bold approach meanwhile emphasised the more visceral aspects of the Prokofiev narrative, one that perhaps in the judge's opinion required a little more refinement in dynamic. A fourth Grand Shield triumph was therefore perhaps too much to ask, but once again it was on cusp of qualification.

An emotive account too from GUS in fifth, although their long wait to return to the British Open now stretches to 13 years. Just occasional moments of unease caught the ear (although not from their exceptional 'Best Soloist' soprano player Jack Wilson) as they also gave the judges plenty to think about in the box.

More confidence building substance though for Ebbw Valley, as the Welsh band continued their incrementally upward top-flight progress under Matthew Rowe with a performance of tempered solidity.

Reflective realism

For those outside the top-six, post contest reflections of realism, with the likes of Friary Brass and Camborne heading home delighted by performances of note, whilst a proud but tired sounding Whitburn will surely look back on a contest schedule that just took too much out of them. There was simply too much lactic acid in the lips.

Encouragement though for the midfield finishers led by Ratby Co-operative, followed by Redbridge, Stannington, Northop, Pemberton Old Wigan DW, Fishburn and St Dennis, even if in some cases they perhaps didn't quite get the nod they were hoping for from the box.

Concerns

And whilst all the bands will have appreciated the quality of the immediate on stage surroundings and acoustic of the Town Hall, the concerns over the logistics in having to change outside in two rather cramped marquees will have been noted by the organisers.

16,000 half marathon and 10k runners aside, a contest of this importance required something better. The superb stewarding of Richard Milton's contest day team ensured things ran smoothly, although the Mortimer family will now be aware that a different approach will be required if the event is to remain at a fine venue.

Any musical disappointment registered by the relegated quartet of NASUWT Riverside, Wantage Silver, Elland Silver and City of Bradford however will surely have been tempered by the realisation that at the Grand Shield, perhaps more than any other championship contest in the UK, inconsistency, nerves and simply not playing to form has the starkest of consequences.

Chris Thomas

A brilliant performance — so full of character and musical personalityStephen Roberts on Milnrow's winning performance

Result:

Grand Shield

Test piece: Star Crossed Lovers (Stephen Roberts)
Adjudicators: Stephen Roberts; Anne Crookston

1. Milnrow (Christopher Binns)*
2. Hepworth (Ryan Watkins)*
3. Desford Colliery (Ian Porthouse)
4. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
5. GUS Band (Christopher Bond)
6. Ebbw Valley (Matthew Rowe)
7. Friary Brass (Andrew Porter)
8. Camborne (Gareth Churcher)
9. Whitburn (Prof Nicholas Childs)
10. Ratby Co-operative (Glyn Williams)
11. Redbridge (Chris Bearman)
12. Stannington (Sam Fisher)
13. Northop Silver (Ben Dixon)
14. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Thomas Wyss)
15. Fishburn (Chris Bentham)
16. St Dennis (Darren R. Hawken)
17. NASUWT Riverside (David Morton)**
18. Wantage Silver (Chris King)**
19. Elland Silver (David McGlynn)**
20. City of Bradford (Lee Skipsey)**