The Spring Festival 2009
a report by Martyn Johnson
In late summer/early autumn last year, Derwent Brass received an invitation from the Spring Festival organisers, requesting that we attend the Festival to compete in the Senior Trophy (this is the entry level for the British Open and does not reflect the average age of the band personnel, as some may think). This was a great honour for the band, as we had been trying for years to get into the Festival, but as it is ‘by invitation only’, we had to rely on the organisers finally ‘caving in’ and asking us to play.
A little bit of background
The Spring Festival is held in Blackpool at the Winter Gardens every year in May and is the qualifying competitions for 2 lucky bands to compete in the British Open held later in the year at Symphony Hall in Birmingham. The other bands who compete in the British Open are the likes of Black Dyke, Grimethorpe and Fodens, Brighouse & Rastrick, who have already qualified by previous year’s results.
There are 3 sections in the Festival :-
The Senior Trophy - Entry Level – Test Piece ‘Spectrum’ by Gilbert Vinter
The Senior Cup - Intermediate Level – Test Piece ‘Pageantry’ by Herbert Howells
The Grand Shield - Top Level (final qualifying section for the British Open) – Test Piece ‘Contest Music’ by Wilfred Heaton
Each section has promotions and relegations :-
The top four bands from The Senior Trophy are promoted to the Senior Cup, the bottom four are normally not invited back to play for at least 1 year and are replaced by 4 new bands that the Festival Organisers select.
The top four bands from The Senior Cup are promoted to The Grand Shield and the bottom four relegated to The Senior Trophy (I think you can see where this is going) and finally only the top 2 from The Grand Shield go to the British Open Finals (to play with the big boys) and the bottom four are relegated to the Senior Cup.
So, to get to the prestigious British Open Finals, a new band has to navigate the ‘perilous seas’ of The Senior Trophy, the ‘Cape Horn’ of The Senior Cup and finally the ‘Maelstrom’ of The Grand Shield (don’t really understand why I have used these analogies, but hey, we were going to the seaside).
Preparation
Once we received the invitation, we knew that we had to put on a good show, but with our prior commitments of the Pontins Contest, all the scheduled concerts (including Christmas concerts, Derby Cathedral, Friends of Nightingale concerts among others)) andthe Regional Finals in mid-March, it was decided that we wouldn’t start the rehearsals for the Spring Festival until after the recent concert in Derby Cathedral with Denise Leigh.
Keith immediately put together a rehearsal schedule that was quite aggressive for us (as we only normally rehearse once a week), but absolutely necessary. The test piece, ‘Spectrum’, is a classic piece of Brass Band music written by the iconic Gilbert Vinter in the late 1960’s and was the first test piece to actually have percussion scored, albeit very little of it. It was a piece that the band was very keen to play, as some in the band had played it before and others, the younger ones and myself (who while being not quite so young, has led a very sheltered life, as far as brass band music goes), wanted to ‘have a crack at it’. It was going to be a challenge, but we are Derwent Brass and were ready to rise to the challenge.
The week leading up to the contest proved to be the most difficult domestically (heard of golf widows ?), as we had 3 rehearsals, 3 days ‘on the trot’ and an Ensemble performance on the Thursday evening (7th May) prior to the rehearsal, for the centenary celebrations of the Herbert Strutt School (where we rehearse).
So, rehearsals over (save for the final ‘get your lips going’ on the morning of Saturday the 9th), it was time for our assault on the Blackpool contest as debutants.
The Journey to Blackpool
We had a hotel booked from the Friday 8th May to Sunday 10th May and most of the band were able to travel up on the Friday evening, (myself included), whilst a few, due to work commitments etc, were travelling up on the Saturday morning in time for our 08:30 rehearsal (WHAT TIME !!!! – middle of the night !). Unlike my day at work, the journey to Blackpool was uneventful, save for Adrian ‘Stig’ Beresford almost leaving the registration cards behind and the unrelenting downpour for quite a proportion of the ‘carpark’ known as the M6 – we were heading north after-all – only to be expected, rain.
There was perhaps only one thing that happened, which could be classed as an omen or portent – in between the rain ‘showers’, as we moved into sunlight, there was an almost perfect rainbow arcing across the landscape of Cheshire. We could see all seven colours – every single one in the ‘Spectrum’ (spooky eh!).
Anyway, as we approached Blackpool (rain stopped at last), we could see the Tower rising from the concrete jungle, like an iron toothpick with lights, passed the Pleasure Beach and knew that our journey was almost at an end. We found the hotel quite easily (thanks for the Sat-nav Pont), but there was nowhere to park, so ‘unload the car’, ‘dump our stuff in reception’ and find a carpark – we found one at very reasonable rates, which seemed to be somewhere near Preston – only cost us £10 for the pleasure.
The evening was planned to be a very restrained and almost sober one – we had a contest the following day and there was ‘no way’ we were going to blow it (no pun intended), after all of our efforts in rehearsal. A nice early(ish) night for everyone.
Contest Day 9th May 2009
As dawn broke the following morning and the sun rose like a magnificent yellow orb over the sleepy Lancastrian town, it seemed that all was well with the world. The birds were gaily singing their first songs of the day and............wait a minute, that must have been one of my dreams, this was BLACKPOOL ............................... As the sun was dragged, kicking screaming into the sky by some unknown force, it had to be lashed to the Tower, to prevent it from hurtling somewhere towards Manchester, in the somewhat strong ‘North-Westerlies’. No birds. It must have broken it’s tether sometime around 1pm, as the very familiar rain returned with a vengance.
We breakfasted at approximately 07:30 (very nice too) and prepared ourselves both physically and mentally for the day ahead. Keith started rehearsal promptly at 08:30, with Adam (Keith's assistant MD) stressing that ‘this wasn’t a full rehearsal of the test piece’, but an opportunity to ‘get our lips buzzing’ – the decision was ours individually on how much we played.
At around 10:00, we took a break and waited to see what number we had drawn (the draw for the contest was at 10:00). It didn’t take long for the news to come through that we were drawn 8 (woo-hoo). We were to reconvene at 11:30, just to get the lips going again, which was rather fortuitous, as it gave me the opportunity to try & locate where I had parked my car the night before!
After our very short second ‘rehearsal’, we gathered our belongings and made our way to the Winter Gardens – spirits were high and I think a certain amount of confidence was evident. Our hotel was booked by my fellow trombonist John Baum and was lss than five minutes walk from the Winter Gardens, so, “good work there John”. Arriving at the ‘battleground’, we were directed to where we had been assigned a changing area, dumped our stuff and tried to find out what number band was playing.
At just before 12 noon, we found out that band number 4 had just gone on to the stage, so plenty of time for a cup of tea (great British tradition you know – solves everything). A quick calculation meant that we would be playing around 1pm, but would be called up to registration prior to that, so time to have a quick chat with a few of the other bands, relax and take in the atmosphere (not much of a room though – a bit like a very large basement with a tea/coffee/burger/hotdog bar).
So, summoned we were and were led up into the Winter Gardens proper, past a bar (boo), headed towards the Empress Ballroom, where we turned left and walked past it (we weren’t playing in there), left again into the Galleon Bar (hooray) and left again up the stairs, away from the bar (boo).
We all managed to register quite successfully (lucky ‘Stig’ remembered the registration cards at the last minute) . We sat and waited. The moment was arriving, our debut in the British Open Contest, competing in The Senior Trophy. We waited. And we waited. Keep instruments warm. Have a laugh. Don’t get told off for being too loud (bit of a problem for me, as I am naturally loud – unusual for an introvert). Could hear a bit of the band before us. Don’t listen Keith instructs! Play it like WE play it. Don’t let another band get into your head. It’s stopped. The music has stopped. The band has finished. WE’RE ON.
We went onto the stage to thunderous applause (not) and re-arranged the furniture – some bands don’t half sit close together – perhaps they get lonely or perhaps it’s for warmth. Anyway, we arranged the seating as we wanted it – spread out & give yourself plenty of room. We were ready and now was the time to show everyone out there that we WERE ready .... ready to take this piece by the scruff of the neck and let them hear Derwent Brass for what they are – a damn good band. Everyone settled, Keith indicates to the stage steward that we are ready. The adjudicators blow their whistles, Keith raises his baton and... we’re off.
We play well, excellently in places – ferocious Red, syncopated but leisurely Orange, playful Yellow, flowing and beautiful Green, fast and lively Blue, waltz-like Indigo and finally sinister Purple – all, I believe, have the effect that the composer was looking for. It was good. We were happy. Keith was happy (I could tell, because he indicated that he wanted more from us on the final chord and held it on for longer – I think the smile was a clue as well !). It was good. Very good. This performance would take some beating. We stood up to rapturous applause (not), but I had noticed that the stage steward had started to clap before we had finished the last note (I heard him, so it must have been loud – our last note was loud !) I think he liked it as well.
We came off the stage, in the usual calm, collected and professional manner, leaving the audience and adjudicators with something to think about. Off the stage, through the registration area, down the stairs, PAST the Galleon Bar (boo), past the Empress Ballroom (we weren’t playing in there), PAST the other bar (boo) and back down to the changing area.
So, pack the kit away, have a bit of an inquest into how it went and back to the B & B to change into our contest ‘walking out clothes’ (white shirt, red tie). It was raining. Oh shock. Good job it’s only a five minute walk, so, “good work there John”.
So, what shall we do now – oh yes, those bars !
“What’s this, JOHN SMITH’S CREAMFLOW ....... Haven’t you got any proper beer ?”.
Answer, “No”.
“What beers have you got in bottles ?”.
Answer, “Becks, lager, more lager, Stella, lager”.
“No, I said BEERS”.
“That’s all we’ve got”.
“John Smith’s it is then”.
After plenty of frivolity, laughing, joking, Paul ‘Greedo’ Foster re-visiting Greggs every 5 minutes for more food (he is a student after-all, so he probably won’t eat for another week or so), renewing old friendships with players you haven’t seen in years, making some new ones, perhaps. The atmosphere was friendly and congenial. The results of the contest were looming – good job too, because I don’t think I could have suffered much more of the dreaded ‘creamflow’ (I know I could’ve not had any, but that would have been rude). Some clever young person in our band, had one of those mobile phones that you could connect to the internet with and had a look at the 4barsrest website (Brass Band reporters) to see what they thought of our performance. Not much. Apparently, like many bands, we rushed everything and basically didn’t really like it.
The results were about to be announced. It was about 515pm. We file into the Empress Ballroom like good little sheep. We managed to find seats all together and prepared ourselves for what was about to be received. A Mexican Wave started (not by us) and immediately faded out after about 20 people. It was tried again and again – it almost made it ¾ the way over and then faded again. The Yorkshire band that started it, blamed the failure on the Lancashire band half-way across the seating – old grudges die hard. Fortunately, it didn’t turn into the second Wars of the Roses, so a bit of luck there!.
Finally, the adjudicators for all the sections were paraded on stage and a fine group they were too. Plenty of age and experience there ! The announcer started with the usual stuff – thanks to the organisers, thanks to the regional brass band association, thanks to the adjudicators, thanks to the stewards, the cleaners, the bar staff, my next door neighbours cat and so and so forth. This always causes some unrest in the auditorium at whatever contest, as all the bands and audience are there for the results and find out whether they’ll be back next year, in the same section, relegated, promoted. These things, however, have to be done, I suppose.
At last, David Read walked up to the microphone to give his general comments on the Senior Trophy (the adjudicators for our section were David Read and Malcolm Brownbill). The comments he made were taken in and all the bands still had hope, including us (but there was still the niggle of the 4barsrest comments).
Now the actual results :-
“In fourth place, winning the 4th place trophy, £200 and an invite next year to play in the Senior Cup (promoted)............... Laganvale”
“Who ?”
Comment from Adam Rutter, our Solo Euphonium player – “ I heard them, they were ‘not very good’ “It’s happening again – strange results”
It can’t happen again, it’s happened before. We played well. Did they like it ? Didn’t they like it ? Were 4barsrest right ? ............
“In third place, winning the 3rd place trophy, £300 and an invite next to play in the Senior Cup (promoted).......... Derwent Brass”
We’d done it. We’d come third. We’d been promoted to The Senior Cup. We were up on our feet, shouting and being rather unruly to say the least, but we were happy. We’d beaten 17 other bands and that was some achievement on our first outing to The Spring Festival.
This meant that we would be guaranteed an invite to the Festival for at least the next 2 years. That’s the way to do it – get invited, get 3rd place and get promoted. All the hard work had been worth it and a special thanks to Keith for putting up with us during rehearsals.
It was decided by ‘Stig’ that Paul ‘Greedo’ Foster went on to the stage to collect our prize, so the hall would resonate with the shout of ‘GREEEEEEEEEEEEDO’. Paul is heading off back home to London in June having completed his university studies in the Midlands, so it would be his last contest for a while – thought we’d give him a treat!
NASUWT Riverside were second and United Norwest Co-op Milnrow were the winners (by some margin, by all accounts). But we’d done it - 3rd.
Full results for the Senior Trophy :-
1. United Norwest Co-op Milnrow (John Ward), 12
2. NASUWT Riverside (Ian Robinson), 4
3. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard), 8
4. Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Ernest Ruddock), 16
5. Beaumaris (Gwyn Evans), 15
6. Glossop Old (Phil Pavey), 6
7. Camborne Town (Kevin Mckenzie), 14
8. Wantage Silver A BAND (Phillip Bailey), 13
9. Blackburn and Darwen (Nick Sheppard), 20
10. Yorkshire Co-op (Simon Kerwin), 3
11. Johnstone Silver (Raymond Tennant), 11
12. Northop (Thomas Wyss), 1
13. Friary Guildford Brass (Chris King), 5
14. Wrexham Brass (Wayne Ruston), 10
15. Felling (Graeme Tindall), 19
16. Newbridge Celynen (Rhodri Griffiths), 9
17. Easington Colliery Brass (Ray Farr), 18
18. Point of Ayr (Dr Roy Newsome), 7
19. Besses O`th Barn (Carl Whiteoak), 2
20. Mossley (Duncan Byers), 17
Soloist Prize: Solo Euph - United Norwest Co-op Milnrow: Adam Snape
Time to celebrate
We had beaten 12 bands that were above us in the World Rankings including 2 that were going to play at the National Finals for the Championship Section at the Albert Hall, London later in the year. That should move us up in the rankings.
Now it was time to let friends, relatives, band members who had to leave for various reasons and couldn’t stay for the results, the excellent news. Unfortunately, Keith was having major work done on his house and had to go early to supervise proceedings so wasn't around to join in the celebrations
.
We were very happy, to say the least and had to celebrate by sampling a couple more beers in the bar (seemed to taste better for some reason).
After wetting our whistles, we headed back to the hotel to get changed and head out for some much needed food – a curry would be great, but for some reason we ended up in an Italian Restaurant. Good food though, good company and good spirits – it was great to see the band enjoying themselves after the day and deservedly so. A couple more drinks and then back to the hotel to finish the day off.
When we arrived back some ‘fool’ had left the microphone switched on in the bar entertainment area, which was far too tempting for me & I just had to do something – there was a captive audience (I know, it’s unusual for an introvert) – didn’t work out too well though, as the rigours of the day (and beer) had now taken a bit of a toll and I couldn’t remember the words to anything – a bit of Elvis, Billy Connelly, Monty Python.....not any of it really making any sense. Thought I’d best just ‘let it lie’ and give up.
So up to bed and reflect on the day. An excellent day. An excellent days work. An excellent evening. I looked forward to next year and the Senior Cup.
Departure
The following morning we took in the air, had breakfast, made our farewells and set out on the long journey home – the Spanish Grand Prix was on at 1pm, so had to be back for that ......................
Jenson Button won - his 4th Grand Prix win out of 5 – what more could a man want from a weekend – roll on next year.
Martyn Johnson
Solo Trombone
