Tredegar regains the British Open title at Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
The British Open title has been won for the second time in four years by Tredegar, after they produced a stunning performance of Stephen Roberts’s ‘Arabian Nights - Fantasy on Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade for Brass Band’ at Symphony Hall on Saturday.
Incredible!!!
Under the direction of Ian Porthouse they added to their 2010 success with a rendition described by the composer in his written adjudication remarks as, "Absolutely incredible!!! I am overcome with how well you played it—unbelievable playing!! That was a truly great performance."
Meanwhile, fellow judge David Read MBE added, "I was only pleased I have heard it and feel honoured—thank you", whilst Rob Wiffin stated; "Truly a stunning performance—great playing and masterly direction", as the Welsh band recaptured the famous Gold Shield off the number 8 draw, as well as clean sweep of the trio of individual solo awards.
Clean sweep
Soprano player Ian Roberts won the Brian Evans Memorial Trophy, with solo euphonium Daniel Thomas claiming the Geoffrey Whitham Award. The Stanley Wainwright ‘Best Soloist’ Trophy went to the band’s principal cornet Dewi Griffiths.
Stunning
European champion Cory pushed their rivals all the way to the finishing line. According to the judges, they also produced the other ‘absolutely stunning’ performance under Philip Harper, off the number 16 draw, as the two Welsh heavyweights stood apart from the rest of the high class field of rivals.
For the first time in the contest’s history the top three podium places were filled by non English bands, as Co-operative Funeralcare under Allan Ramsay claimed their highest finish since 2004.
Great performances
They led a ‘number of great performances’ according to the judges from the other main prizes winners.
However, there was to be no repeat victory for defending champion Foden’s as they just fell short in fourth under Allan Withington, whilst Fairey showed a return to British Open form under Garry Cutt in fifth.
There was no joy for Black Dyke fans though, as the Queensbury band ended sixth under Dr Nicholas Childs.
Relegation
At the other end of the results table, Seindorf Beaumaris will have cursed the luck of the draw as they picked out the dreaded number 1 from the velvet bag for the second year in a row to end seventeenth. They will be joined back at the Grand Shield in 2014 by Reg Vardy who finished on play ahead of them on the day.
Despite well publicised grumbles from some quarters about registration issues and the test piece, the British Open organisers will have been delighted by the way the contest certainly caught the imagination of the paying public.
It was like a return to the great days of the King’s Hall in Belle Vue, as the start of the contest was delayed by 15 minutes as crowds of people waited patiently to gain entrance to the huge auditorium, whilst each of the 17 contenders played to large audiences throughout the day.
A full news report will appear later today
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Saturday 7th September
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Test Piece: ‘Arabian Nights - Fantasy on Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade for Brass Band’ (Stephen Roberts)
Adjudicators: David Read MBE, Stephen Roberts, Rob Wiffin OBE
Results:
1. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse), 8
2. Cory (Philip Harper), 16
3. Co-operative Funeralcare (Allan Ramsay), 14
4. Foden's (Allan Withington), 13
5. Fairey (Garry Cutt), 15
6. Black Dyke (Dr Nicholas Childs), 4
7. Kirkintilloch (David Roberts), 10
8. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Phillip McCann), 9
9. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof. David King), 5
10. Grimethorpe Colliery (Luc Vertommen), 2
11. Desford Colliery (Nigel Seaman), 17
12. Hepworth (Michael Fowles), 3
13. Milnrow (Mareika Gray), 7
14. Virtuosi GUS (John Berryman), 11
15. Leyland (Michael Bach), 6
16. Reg Vardy (Russell Gray), 12*
17. Seindorf Beaumaris (Gwyn M Evans), 1*
Stanley Wainwright Memorial Trophy: Dewi Griffiths (Tredegar)
Brian Evans Memorial Trophy: Ian Roberts (Tredegar)
Geoffrey Whitham Memorial Trophy: Daniel Thomas (Tredegar)
*Reg Vardy & Seindorf Beaumaris relegated to Grand Shield