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Brass in Concert — the numbers game

It's all about numbers at Brass in Concert on the weekend — from zero to 12,000 plus...

Sage
 

It's all about numbers at any brass band contest, and Brass in Concert is no exception.

These are some that have featured over the years....

0 – The number of non English bands that have won the contest since its inception in 1977.

1 – The numbers of times Fred Partlett (1977), David James (1986), Alan Exley (1995) and James Gourlay (1996) were winning conductors.

2 – The number of times a tenor horn player has been the winning soloist.

12150 — The difference in prize money won between Grimethorpe Colliery (£12,350) and Reg Vardy (£200) in prize money so far this year4BR

3 — The number of different venues the contest has been held at.

5 – The number of competing bands (Grimethorpe, Fodens, Desford, Cory, Brighouse & Rastrick) that if results go their way could end up as leading prize money winners of the 2008 season.

7 – The number of times Alan Morrison won the ‘Best Principal Cornet’ Award.

8 – The number of times Richard Evans has conducted a winning band at the contest.

12 – The number of bands that have competed since 1977 and no longer exist.

14 – The most number of bands that took part in the contest – 1979.

32 – The number of times Brass in Concert has been held.

49 – Number of bands who have competed since 1977 (some under different names)

60 – The number of entertainment marks available to be won from the two entertainment judges.

157.30 – The difference in ranking points between Fodens (ranked 1) and Cory (ranked 3) going into this contest. Any one of Fodens, Grimethorpe or Cory could end the end as the number 1 ranked band in the world depending on results here at the weekend.

200 – The maximum number of marks for actual playing.

215 – Lowest points awarded to a competing band at the contest – Strabane Concert in 1982.

236 – Highest points awarded to a band finishing last at the contest – Mount Charles in 2004.

246 – Lowest points awarded to a winning band (out of a maximum of 260) – Grimethorpe in 1994.

258 – Highest points awarded to a winning band (out of a maximum of 260) – Grimethorpe in 2001.

1158.15 – The number of 4BR/World of Brass ranking points of the current number 1 ranked band in the world – Fodens, going into Brass in Concert.

4000 – The amount in pounds of the top prize this year.

10600 – The amount of prize money paid out last year.

12150 – The difference in prize money won between Grimethorpe Colliery (£12,350) and Reg Vardy (£200) in prize money so far this year.

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David Hirst

MA, B.Ed (Hons), LTCL
Conductor, adjudicator and arranger


               

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