Regional Success for GUS
Amongst a turbulent weekend at the Midland Regional Contest this weekend, congratulations are thoroughly deserved by Championship Section winners GUS and the band’s Musical Director David Thornton. Adjudicators Stephen Roberts and Leigh Baker were suitably impressed stating that the performance was “stunning” and “full of musicality and character”.
In a statement on social media a spokesperson for GUS explained, “We are delighted to have been crowned Midlands Regional Champions 2023 - our 90th anniversary year! The band worked extremely hard on this year’s test piece, “Red Priest” and we were incredibly proud of our performance, our soloists in particular were outstanding! We would also like to congratulate Ratby Co-Operative Band Organisation, who will be joining us at the Albert Hall in October after putting on a sterling performance. Finally, a HUGE thanks to all players and their families for their commitment and to Professional Conductor, David Thornton and Resident Conductor, Chris Bond for working tirelessly to prepare us for the competition. Now it’s time for a well deserved week off before we begin work on upcoming concerts and preparations for the Grand Shield in May!”
Joining GUS at London for a third consecutive year (as well as at the Grand Shield), is Ratby Co-operative. MD Ian Porthouse led a detailed account, thoroughly deserving of their runner-up spot. Derwent Brass, under MD Jack Capstaff were awarded third place and will also head to the Senior Cup as a band to watch out for.
Aside from troubling reports of anti-social behaviour in the lower sections on Saturday, the performances on the stage were very well received. Congratulations go to SPAL Sovereign Brass, Foss Dyke and Stourport on Severn for their deserved wins in their respective sections. Joining them at the Cheltenham Finals in September are fellow qualifiers: Thoresby Colliery, Bilton Silver, Rolls Royce and Long Eaton Silver Prize. The Fourth Section with 15 bands returns to the Core Theatre on Saturday 4th March.
Results:
Championship Section:
Test-piece: Red Priest (Philip Wilby)
Adjudicators: Stephen Roberts & Leigh Baker
1. GUS (David Thornton)*
2. Ratby Co-operative (Ian Porthouse)*
3. Derwent Brass (Jack Capstaff)
4. Desford Colliery (Michael Fowles)
5. Newstead Brass (Martin Heartfield)
6. Enderby (Stephen Phillips)
7. Blidworth Welfare (John Roberts)
8. Brass Band of Central England (Howard Evans)
9. Jackfield (Ryan Richards)
10. Shirley (Tom Stoneman)
11. Gresley Colliery (Craig Stevens)
*Qualify for National Final
First Section:
Test-piece: A Day in the Life of a Knight (Philip Lawrence)
Adjudicators: Nicholas Garman & Anne Crookston
1. SPAL Sovereign Brass (Alan Gifford)*
2. Thoresby Colliery (Mike Howley)*
3. Bilton Silver (Rugby) (Jack Fisher)*
4. Kibworth (Brendan Caddy)
5. Langley (Cliff Parker)
6. Staffordshire (Craig Williams)
7. Bedworth Brass (Wayne Ruston)
8. Rushden Town (Adele Hudson)
9. Oddfellows Brass (Ben Smith)Williams)
10. Stamford Brass (Julian Bright)
11. Harborough (Brad Turnbull)
12. Burbage (Buxton) (Steve Critchlow)
13. Hucknall & Linby M.C. (Paul Whyley)
14. Hathern (David Newman)
15. Carlton Brass (Tony Wilson)
Withdrawn: Glossop Old
*Qualify for National Final
Second Section:
Test-piece: The Pilgrim's Progress (Rodney Newton)
Adjudicators: Gary Davies & Sam Fisher
1. Foss Dyke (Gareth Westwood)*
2. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Graham Cardwell)*
3. Raunds Temperance (Jonathan Pippen)
4. City of Coventry (David Nicholson)
5. Shirland Welfare (Lynden Cooper)
6. Tintwistle (Andrew Mallon)
7. Market Rasen (Ian Knapton)
8. Audley Brass (Tom Hancock)
9. Leicestershire Co-op (Snibston) (Keith Leonard)
10. Pleasley Colliery (Geof Benson)
11. Wigston (Ian Needham)
12. Wellington (Telford) (Ian Johnson)
13. Shirebrook MW Unison (Ben Hewlett-Davies)
14. Avonbank (Colin Herbert)
*Qualify for National Final
Third Section:
Test-piece: Chorale & Toccata (Stephen Bulla)
Adjudicators: Sam Fisher & Steve Pritchard-Jones
1. Stourport on Severn (Oliver Wilson)*
2. Long Eaton Silver Prize (Sharon Stansfield)*
3. Cleobury Mortimer Concert Brass (Matthew Ludford-King)*
4. Amington (Alan Gifford)
5. City of Birmingham (Saphran Ali)
6. Towcester Studio (Neil Brownless)
7. Ratby Co-operative Mid (Andrew Mackereth)
8. Shipston Town (Howard Gibbs)
9. Daventry (Ken Ewer)
10. Trentham Brass (Jamie Meredith)
11. Cubbington Silver (Kieron Howe)
12. Ireland Colliery Chesterfield (Sam Johnston)
13. Ibstock Brick Brass (Chris Banks)
14. Melton (Tony Rifugiato)
*Qualify for National Final
Arrow Valley Brass — Withdrawn
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