Midlands Regional Championships 2014

Championship Section
Bedworth Civic Hall
Sunday 9 March

Draw. No.7 Desford Colliery Band (Russell Gray).
A lovely opening from Desford. Refined and beautifully coloured. The tempo seems to rock in the ensuing passages and it doesn't quite sit comfortably. The flowing nature of the Andante is so well done though and Mike Howley on solo euphonium is already making an impression. Some of the detail is brilliantly done but it hasn't quite got the composure of GUS at times. Solo euph just falters slightly at height of register but the Andante is finely done, if just lacking that last ounce of magic. The adrenalin fuelled dash for the end is exciting but also a touch untidy at times. A fine performance for sure.

Brett Baker and David Horsfield conclude their deliberations in the box.
The standard has been surprisingly good on such a tough test piece with no bands having disgraced themselves today.
Interestingly it wasn't simply the technical elements of the score that played a part but the colours and shaping of the slow music, with a few ravishing interpretations.

With adjudicator Brett Baker (who was joined by David Horsfield) remarking that the top three bands, ‘clearly fell into place’, it was Desford who join GUS at the Royal Albert Hall, after they did enough under Russell Gray to repel the strong challenge of an inspired Derwent Brass.

Championship Section: RESULTS
Test Piece: 'St Magnus' - Kenneth Downie
Adjudicators: Brett Baker & David Horsfield

1. Virtuosi GUS (Adam Cooke)*
2. Desford Colliery (Russell Gray)*
3. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard)
4. Spal Automotive Sovereign Brass (David Maplestone)
5. Thoresby Colliery (Brian Grant)
6. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley)
7. Ratby Co-operative (Michael Fowles)
8. Foresters Brass 2000 (Peter Collins)
9. Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea)
10. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Nigel Seaman)
11. Hathern (David Newman)

* Top 2 bands qualify for the National Final

Courtesy of 4barsrest.com