2019 National Youth Championships of Great Britain
National titles in the Championship, Intermediate and Elementary Sections were awarded to Youth Brass 2000, Wardle Academy School and Gwynedd a Mon Junior Band at Warwick School last weekend.
In a re-launch of this much loved event Brass Bands England really set the bar high with 28 youth bands competing over four sections including the wonderful non-competitive Debut Section. Adjudicators for this youngest of sections, Owen Farr and Sam Fisher, paid tribute to the huge team of supporters that enabled these youngsters to take to the stage and deliver performances thoroughly deserving of their ‘Merit Awards’.
The Elementary Section saw 7 bands perform for judges Simone Rebello and Christopher Bond in the main Warwick Hall, where Gwynedd a Mon Junior Band won the Gold Award and National title, led by Lois Eifion. The runners-up receiving Silver Awards were Lions Junior Brass conducted by Tom Hancock and Outwood Academy Brass led Michael Dodd.
The Intermediate Section required bands to perform programmes lasting 20 minutes and including an original work for brass band. Adjudicators Sam Fisher and Owen Farr felt the title and Gold Award had to go to Wardle Academy School Band, who under their director Lee Rigg delivered an “astonishing” performance. Silver Awards were won by runners-up Elland Silver Training Band and Chalford Youth led by Samantha Harrison and Steve Tubb respectively.
Twelve bands competed for adjudicators Steve Sykes and Richard Ward in the Championship Section, to not only win the National Title but also earn a place to compete in the Premier Section of the 2020 European Championships. Claiming the Gold Award and a sixth successive title it was Youth Brass 2000 and conductor Chris Jeans who won the spoils. Rochdale Borough Youth led by Ben Dixon took the runner-up spot, with Tewit Youth Senior Band and Martin Hall placed third. The judges were keen to highlight the fine levels of musicianship on show in complete juxtaposition to the dwindling resources afforded music education currently. The Championship was a totally uplifting and positive event and numbers are sure to be even higher next year.
Full Results:
Championship Section:
1. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans) — Gold
2. Rochdale Borough Youth (Ben Dixon) — Gold
3. Tewit Youth Senior Band (Martin Hall) — Gold
Gold Award:
Northamptonshire County Youth (Brad Turnbull)
Silver Awards:
Lions Youth Brass (Nigel Birch)
Band Hyn Gwasanaeth Cerdd Ysgolion Gwynedd a Mon (Dylan Williams)
Macclesfield Youth (Louise Renshaw)
Bronze Awards:
Oldham Music Centre (Jonathan Leedale)
Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Youth (Charles Maynard)
Merit Awards:
Enderby Youth (Trevour Hounsome)
MK Youth Brass (Phil Devine)
Stockport Schools' Senior Brass Band (Iain McKnight)*
Best Soloist: Gabriel Snowden (tenor horn) — Tewit Youth Senior Band
*Performing to receive an adjudication only
Intermediate Section:
1. Wardle Academy School Band (Lee Rigg) — Gold
2. Elland Silver Training Band (Samantha Harrison) — Silver
3. Chalford Youth Band (Steve Tubb) — Silver
Bronze Awards:
Stockport Schools' Intermediate Band (Tom Ridgley)
Egglescliffe School Brass Band (Matthew Haworth)
Merit Award:
Tewit Youth Intermediate Band (Martin Tromans)
Best Soloist: Adam Warburton (trombone) — Wardle Academy School Band
Elementary Section:
1. Gwynedd a Mon Junior Band (Lois Eifion) — Gold
2. Lions Junior Brass (Tom Hancock) — Silver
3. Outwood Academy Brass (Michael Dodd) — Silver
Silver Awards:
Cottenham Brass Juniors (Craig Gallacher)
Dobcross Youth Training Band (Seth Livingstone)
Macclesfield Youth Junior Band (Tim Grindey)
Bronze Award:
Stockport School's Junior Brass Band (Andrew Myers)
Best Soloist: Elizabeth Francesca Iaecobescu (flugel) — Outwood Academy Brass
Debut Section:
All bands received Merit Award certificates
Lions Beginner Band (Megan Bousfield)
Hounslow Junior Brass (Alan Goodall)
Brass of the Saff (Julie Maxwell)
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