A slightly odd day in September – Chalford at the Nationals!

After a somewhat disruptive preparation due to summer holidays, the band met on Saturday morning at the band room for the final tweaks to “St James – A New Beginning”, a fantastic new composition by Philip Harper, chosen as the first section national test piece. Then at lunchtime almost the whole the band went home again – we’d been drawn 15, so wouldn’t need to be in Cheltenham until early evening. The Whatsapp comments started to build around 4pm – “The weirdest contest day ever”.

The backstage area and warm-up room lived up to their name – so the band moved to the stands outside to cool down. And then on to the stage…

We were in the national finals, and put in a performance to be proud of…

We came 15th, out of some fabulous bands, many of whom would be going into the championship section next year

Test piece: St James — A New Beginning (Philip Harper)
Adjudicators: David Hirst, Paul Holland, Glyn Williams

1. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter)
2. Sovereign Brass (Alan Gifford)
3. Seindorf Beaumaris (Bari Gwilliam)
4. Coalburn Brass (Gareth Bowman)
5. A W Parker (Drybrook) (Joshua Ruck)
6. Wardle Anderson Brass (Brad McCulloch)
7. Hebden Bridge (Christopher Binns)
8. Bathgate (Craig Anderson)
9. Boarshurst Silver (Jamie Prophet)
10. Horbury Victoria (Duncan Beckley)
11. Medway (Chris King)
12. York Railway Institute (Dr David Lancaster)
13. Manx Concert Brass (Ian Clague MBE)
14. Thoresby Colliery (Dean Jones)
15. Chalford (Steve Tubb)
16. Hitchin (Andrew Kershaw)
17. Harrogate (Craig Ratcliffe)
18. Regent Brass (Alan Duguid)
19. Sherborne Town (Dave Shead)
20. Bilton Silver (Rugby) (Jack Fisher)

Best Soloist: Euphonium (Ebbw Valley)