On Saturday 12th October, Regent Brass performed at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
Regent Brass – The Royal Albert Hall 2013
Arguably the most competitive contest in the UK, the even saw all 20 winners/runners-up of the different Championship Section Area Qualifying contests descend on the Royal Albert Hall for the chance to crowned National Champions. For the band, this was only the second time in its history that it had qualified for the event, with the previous occasion being way back in 1994.
The set-work which all bands had to play was Edward Gregson’s “Of Distant Memories”, recently written for the Black Dyke Mills band and their conductor, Dr Nicholas Childs. Although very demanding to play, the band took to the piece well and worked exceptionally hard to represent the area as the London & Southern Counties champions.
Despite some very nice moments in the performance, there were sadly quite a few nervy slips and errors I stage which unfortunately took their toll at such an elite contest against a very high-quality field of bands. Although receiving praise from judges Alan Morrison, Derek Broadbent and David Read for some nice stylistic touches, the band was placed 20th overall.
Although not the result we would have liked, the experience of performing at such an iconic event was really special and the band will be working very hard to return to the contest next year!
Full Results
1. Cory (Philip Harper) (13)*
2. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse) (5)*
3. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Phillip McCann) (7)*
4. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof. David King) (1)*
5. Grimethorpe Colliery (Dr Robert Childs) (19)
6. Woodfalls (Dr Nicholas Childs) (8)
7. Leyland (Michael Bach) (18)
8. Reg Vardy (Russell Gray) (4)
9. Whitburn (Erik Janssen) (14)
10.Flowers (Paul Holland) (9)
11. Foden’s (Allan Withington) (17)
12. Milnrow (Mareika Gray) (20)
13. Jaguar Landrover (Dave Lea) (3)
14. Northop Silver (Thomas Wyss) (16)
15. NASUWT Riverside (Ray Farr) (12)
16. Virtuosi GUS (John Berryman) (11)
17. Friary Guildford (Chris King) (2)
18. Kirkintilloch (David Roberts) (15)
19. Tongwynlais Temperance (Steve Sykes) (10)
20. Regent Brass (Alan Duguid) (6)
