NEMBBA Supports Bands’ Regional Preparations
18 performances including all 5 area test pieces kept adjudicator Martin Heartfield busy as the annual North East Midlands Brass Band Association (NEMBBA) contest returned after a year’s break at the Post Mill Centre, South Normanton, on Sunday 13th February.
Summing up after each section, Martin gave feedback on the general playing together with written remarks to help bands in their preparations for Corby, Huddersfield and Stevenage. Martin was joined for the day by Colum O’Shea, one of the trainees currently on the Association of Brass Band adjudicators training programme.
The results were interspersed with presentation of long service awards to members of local bands led by Ted Bradley of Long Eaton Silver Band (75 Years) and Graham Buckley (Shirebrook) and John Slater (Matlock) who both received 70 years awards from Association president Marie Smith. A further two 60 years certificates, fifteen 50 year certificates and seventeen 25 year certificates were awarded, A lifetime achievement certificate was presented to Sharon Stansfield for her ongoing commitment to teaching brass players.
The contest was pre-drawn and results given after each section to assist bands in planning their day gaining positive feedback from attending bands for this first contest arranged by a new organising group from NEMBBA led by contest controller Robert Stansfield.
There was also a reminder of how precarious bands’ contest preparations still are with one band having to withdraw on the eve of the contest owing to several players obtaining positive Covid test results.
Contest Results
Championship section (Contest Music by Wilfred Heaton)
1. Unite the Union (Jonathan Beatty)
2. Hucknall-Linby MC Brass (Paul Whyley)
3. Newstead Brass (Jim Davies)
Best Horn: Unite
Best Soprano: Newstead
Section 1 (Spectrum by Gilbert Vinter)
1. East of England Co-op (Nigel Cooper)
2. Oddfellows (Ben Smith)
3. Old Silkstone (George Newbould)
4. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Graham Cardwell)
Best soloist: Principal Cornet, East of England Co-op
Section 2 (The Aeronauts by Goff Richards)
1. Audley (Tom Hancock)
2. City of Coventry (David Nicholson)
3. Shirland MW (Lynden Cooper)
4. Leicester Co-op (Luke Pallister)
5. Shirebrook MW (Geoff Wood)
6. Dronfield Genquip (Adrian Wood)
Best Euphonium: Audley
Section 3 (Facets of Glass by Gordon Langford)
1. Long Eaton Silver Prize (Sharon Stansfield)
2. Newhall (Kevin Holdgate)
3. Ireland Colliery (Richard Windle)
4. Maltby Miners Welfare (Terry Clifford)
Section 4 (Argos by Stephen Hodel)
1. Matlock (Chris Banks)
Other awards.
Youngest player in section 3 and 4: Newhall
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