The West of England Regional Contest on March 12th 2011 was once again a massive day for the Band and proved to be the Best Contest result in the Bands History.
Competing against 21 other bands at the English Riviera Centre in Torquay the Band played John Gollands arrangement of 'Prelude Song & Dance'. At the end of a very long day Hatherleigh Silver Band were crowned West of England Regional Champions 2011. Cary Brock collected the Winners Cup and Banner but more importantly........an Invitation to the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain which will be held at the Conference Suite at Cheltenham Racecourse on September 24th 2011.
The day consisted of 2 relaxed Rehearsals before taking to the stage playing No 18 out of the 22 bands and giving a very confident performance with superb solo playing noted by the adjudicators, this was also well received by a large appreciative crowd that had come in to listen to our performance.
The hard work that Robin Wonnacott and David Hayward have both once again put in has brought the band this fabulous 1st place and qualification to the Finals for the second year in a row. Everyone was over the moon with the fantastic result and celebrated well into the night after returning to Hatherleigh.
The hard work will now continue to keep the standard of the band's playing to a high level throughout the summer and into the autumn so that we are ready to commence battle once again at the Finals in September to represent 'The West of England' and more importantly the name of 'Hatherleigh'.
To add to the Bands delight, this result now also gives them Promotion to the 3rd Section in 2012.
Hatherleigh Silver Band would like to congratulate both New Forest Brass & Bratton Silver Band on their success in qualifying for this years 4th section Finals and look forward to joining them on the day.
Full Results
Fourth Section:
Saturday 12th March
The Arena
Test Piece: Prelude, Song and Dance (John Golland) Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent & David Lancaster
1. Hatherleigh Silver (David Hayward)*
2. New Forest Brass (Ian Luxford)*
3. Bratton Silver (Simon Carr)*
4. A W Parker (Drybrook) (Kevin White)
5. Swindon Brass (Frances Cowley)
6. Tiverton Town (Gilly Taylor)
7. Andover Town (Steve Large)
8. Wilton & District (Colin Herbert)
9. Chalford Academy (Steve Tubb)
10. Launceston Town (David Dobson)
11. Totnes (Sid Davis)
12. Okehampton Excelsior Silver (Des Law)
13. Bideford Town (Roger Ashby)
14. Midsomer Norton & Radstock Silver (Joanne Sykes)
15. Wight Brass (Tim Carter)
16. Shanklin Town (Malcolm Lewis)
17. Marshfield (D. Jones)
18. Gosport Silver (Richard Sharp)
19. Verwood 'B' (A. Clarke)
20. Wincanton Silver (Brian Kelloway)
21. Torbay Brass (T. Finnigan)
22. Porthleven Town (Frances Ralph)
*Three bands qualify for the finals
British Bandsman - Comments
An enjoyable 4th section contest saw 22 bands tackle John Gollands Prelude Song and Dance in the Arena at the Riviera Centre and despite its marathon proportions (even if some bands appear to be in the wrong sections, the West of England appears to at least to have the 'pyramid' the right way up!) it proved to be an enjoyable contest for adjudicators Derek Broadbent and David Lancaster. The excellent Hatherleigh Silver Band and David Hayward took the title and will be joined in Cheltenham by New Forest Brass and Bratton Silver. Having faught off such a large competitive field to qualify, all 3 will all be well equiped to do well on 'Home Gound' at the national Finals.
4barsrest - Comments Fourth Section:
There was a great atmosphere in the Arena on Saturday afternoon after a highly enjoyable contest gave adjudicator’s Derek Broadbent and David Lancaster plenty to ponder with 22 performances of merit on John Golland’s ‘Prelude, Song & Dance’. Witty
The audience also appreciated Derek’s thoughtful and witty analysis that pinpointed the need for MDs to take a literal look at the titles of each of the three movement’s of the work.
"This was a real piece of music – a super test", he said, before adding that its success lay ‘in the musical character of the three movements’ – styles of which ‘were in the titles’ Both adjudicators felt that the age old problem of consistency sorted the best from the rest. They also added.....Intriguingly, through personal experience that the composer wasn’t a great fan of vibrato or distorting the written intentions on the score – "The winners today adhered closest to his instructions,".
Did that
And the band that did that in their opinion was last year’s runner up, Hatherleigh Silver conducted by David Hayward, who claimed the title from the late number 18 draw.
Champagne
David was delighted at being able help the band back to the finals, when he spoke to 4BR, 24 hours after the success.
"They are a great bunch, who get so much support from the town. There was a bottle of champagne waiting for them as soon as they got off the bus, with people in the streets to welcome them back too. It’s one of the reasons I enjoy it so much."
"It’s amazing," Bb Bass player and resident conductor of 20 years Robin Wonnacott told 4BR. "Just a few years ago we were in real trouble, and now we are going back to the finals for a second year in a row."
Heart of the band
And whilst players such as Cary Brock thanked David Hayward for his inspirational efforts, he also pointed out that it was because of Robin’s determination that the band is now enjoying their success.
"Dave has done wonders for us, but Robin has been the heart of the band for over 45 years. We owe them both a huge debt of gratitude – so now we have to go on and do well at the finals."
Well structured
Joining them there will be New Forest Brass, conducted by Ian Luxford and Bratton Sliver directed by Simon Carr, both of who delivered well structured accounts.
It was enough to pip many people’s favourite, AW Parker (Drybrook), who for a second year under Kevin White, just missed out on a place at the finals in 4th.
2011 Finialists Fourth Section: Sunday 24th September
Abertillery & District Youth (Wales)
Besses' Boys (North-West)
Boarshurst Silver (North-West)
Bratton Silver (West of England)
Burbage (Buxton) (Midlands)
Dinnington Colliery (Yorkshire)
Dronfield CMW (Yorkshire)
Golborne (North-West)
Harwich RBL (London & Southern Counties) Hatherleigh Silver (West of England)
Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) (Midlands)
Kingsway Printers Cleethorpes (North of England)
LGB Brass (London & Southern Counties)
MacTaggart Scott Silver Loanhead (Scotland)
Mellingriffith 2 (Wales)
NASUWT Riverside Concert (North of England)
New Forest Brass (West of England)
Ramsey Town (North-West)
Rushden Town (Midlands)
Tayport Instrumental (Scotland)
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