A great trip to Torquay was topped off with the band being awarded 4th prize in the 1st section of the National Finals. Having qualified back in March at the area contest the band had been looking forward to taking in the National Finals of the Boosey and Hawkes National Brass Band Championships. The event is held at various locations around the country and previously Derwent Brass have travelled to London, Cardiff and Harrogate to take part. This year saw a very pleasant trip down to the English Riviera at Torquay, and even the weather was kind with glorious sunshine all weekend.
As we were going to Torquay, the first idea was to stay at Fawlty Towers!, then someone discovered a Hotel called Derwent, but eventually Band Manager Chris Clayton convinced the owners of the Cleve Court Hotel that they did want a brass band to stay for the weekend, and of course they would be delighted if we would rehearse in the dining room on Sunday morning !!!!!
18 bands took part, and Derwent Brass drew to play 16th, which was an excellent draw, but meant playing very late - in fact it was turned 10:30pm before we took the stage, and the whole event was not finished until midnight.
The band had worked hard before hand, and again Richard Evans visited the bandroom to impart his wit and wisdom to help us on our way. After some final polishing touches on Sunday morning (if that's what you can call an hour with just the percussion section - just to delight all the holiday makers enjoying what had been a peaceful Sunday morning) followed by a relaxing afternoon, the band arrived at the Riviera Centre in Torquay to give a quality performance which drew praise from both adjudicators, and earned 4th prize.
THE FULL RESULT
1. Staffordshire 193
2. Mid Rhondda 192
3. St Austell 190
4. Derwent Brass 189
5. Ashton-u-Lyne 188
6. City of Coventry 187
7. Ocean Brass 186
8. Gateshead Brass 185
9. Pemberton Old Wigan 184
10. Kippax 183
11. Abergavenny 182
12. Broxburn Public 181
13. Chichester City 180
14. Welwyn Garden City 179
15. Wakefield Met 178
16. Alder Valley 177
17. Livingston Brass 176
18. Harrogate 175
So what does a brass band do when, having been drawn to play number 16, finds itself with 6-7 hours to spare in sunny Paignton ? Needless to say MD Keith Leonard wanted just "bit more rehearsal" and then the order the of the day was to relax and get into the right frame of mind for the evening's performance.
Some band members were travelling home after playing to get for work on Monday, so it needed some frantic phone calls home to let families know they would be arriving about 4am Monday !!!!
Most of Derwent Brass could be found strolling around the harbour, enjoying the views and the sunshine, and one small restaurant with a balcony overlooking the harbour enquired "has a coach just turned up?" as about 15 band members strolled in to order "Sunday Roasts all round please!"
A high tension match of crazy golf was observed on the promenade, with the overall victor being soprano player Dai Roberts (although he had been practising on a golf course the weekend before), and a sizzling performance from Repiano player Adrian Beresford, which included no less than 3 holes in one, came in a very close second..... MD Keith Leonard put up a poor show coming nearly last, but redeemed himself later in a disco dancing (?) competition with Dai Roberts (you had to see it to believe it!) Percussionist Sion Hathaway was so taken with the 2 penny falls machines he was last seen heading off to the bank for more cash!.
Those carefully observing the band rules - no alcohol before a performance - were seen in an ice cream parlour enjoying a round of milk shakes, and then most just gave in a went back to the hotel for 40 winks prior to making their way to the contest
COMMENTS
The brass band web site 4barsrest.com, who covered the event live, wrote :-
Band Number 16. Derwent Brass
A. Good fanfare - just a little loose at times. Middle don't quite get things 100%. Sop plays well and bottom end play strongly. Euph solo played very well and muted cornets impress. Good playing in the section. This performance is getting stronger.
B. Controlled opening with some good playing around the stand. The quiet stuff is controlled just the odd blips detract - a shame. Good tasteful playing from solo cornet and euph takes over nicely.
C. Builds well and is again controlled. The music has conviction and is well played. A convincing movement. Well played.
Star player: Solo cornet
MD Keith Leonard :
Fantastic result which only adds to the great 10th anniversary year we are having. The piece was very exciting and of course extremely challenging; because of holidays we didn't really get down to it until quite late, but the band worked well and then gave a good performance on the day. Naturally I am delighted with the fourth place in this prestigious national event
Congratulations from
Dave Newman Hathern Band
Band Manager Chris Clayton (& bass trombone player)
Excellent result, and spot on adjudicators - especially the bit about excellent bass trombone!!!
Richard Evans
Very well done indeed, an excellent result, although I knew you could do it !!
Robin Norman B.Mus (Hons), ARCM.
Tuba Soloist/Performer.
Just a quick e-mail to say congratulations with the result at the weekend. You must be very happy with 4th place
