Friary Guildford Band conducted by Melvin White, topped the entertainment stakes at Crawley last weekend.
Winning programme
Thier programme which started with Chick Corea's 'Spain', was followed by the soprano solo 'Flowerdale', played by Jon Hammond, the march 'Emblem of Unity', the John Rutter hymn, 'The Lord Bless You and Keep You' and the big finisher, 'Glorifico Aeternum', by Dean Jones.
It was more than enough to please adjudicator David Read and take the title by a clear three point margin over Butlins Second Section champions East London Brass one of the form bands of 2009. Third place was taken Tilbury.
It gave Friary a record seventh success at the contest, picking up the Martin Davey Trophy once more to beat the previous record set by Aveley & Newham. The band has also won the indivdual march prize seven time too — another record.
David Read commented that he felt the band had given 'a very enjoyable' performance of 'Sweet tones' amd 'so much colour'.
B Winners
In the B Section, victory was claimed by Denmead Brass conducted by Estelle Flood.
Their eclectic winning programme started with 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', followed by the march, 'Stars & Stripes Forever', 'Someone to Watch over Me', 'Oceans' by Goff Richards, 'The Stripper', 'Amazing Grace' and 'Anything Goes' to finish.
It proved to be a winning formula, taking the title by two points from Uckfield Concert Brass and St Sebastian Wokingham.
Results:
Adjudicator: David Read
1. Friary Guildford (Melvin White) — 94
2. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill) — 91
3. Tilbury (Alan Duguid) — 89
4. Alder Valley Brass (Roger Burke) — 85
5. Regent Brass (Alan Duguid) — 83
6. Hyde (Ivan Hutchinson) — 82
7. Brighton & Hove City (Matthew Hackett) — 81
8. Chichester City (Martin Grace) — 78
9. St. Albans City (David Shead) — 76
Highest Unplaced 1st Section Band: Alder Valley Brass
Best Soloist: Iona Harrison (cornet) — Chichester City
Best March: Friary Guildford Band
Section 'B':
Adjudicator: David Read
1. Denmead Brass (Estelle Flood) — 89
2. Uckfield Concert Brass (Steve McIntyre) — 87
3. St Sebastian Wokingham (Lee Woodward) — 84
4. Hangleton (Matthew Pollard) — 83
5. Vectis Youth Brass (Mary Teague) — 78
6. LGB Brass (Ian Stewart) — 77
7. Spinnaker Brass (Derek Jones) — 75
8. Lingfield Silver (Roy Fuller) — 74
9. Egham Junior Brass (George O'Mara) — 70
Highest Unplaced Youth/3rd Section Band: Vectis
Highest Placed Youth Youth Band: Vectis Youth Brass
Best Soloist: Marcus Plant (Solo Cornet) — Uckfield Concert Brass
Best Trombone Section: St. Sebastian's Wokingham
Best Compére Conductor: Derek Jones — Spinnaker Brass
