2024 UniBrass Results
Congratulations to Birmingham Conservatoire Brass Band on winning a hat-trick of trophy victories at the UniBrass Championships. Under the direction of post-graduate Masters conducting students Joshua Geddes and Alan Gifford, the 2022 and 2023 champion performed 'HumAnIty', a programme written by composer Daniel Hall which was first performed by Stavanger Band at the recent Siddis Entertainment Championships in Norway. The five-movements included a horn solo entitled 'Lament' performed by student Anabel Voigt which was actually written through the use of a computer algorithm. The performance marked Alan and Joshua's final appearance with the band, with both now concentrating on making an impression with the judges at the Area Championships.
Former champions University of Huddersfield pushed their rivals all the way with their 'Most Entertaining' award winning set reflecting on those 'Upon the Water'. Conducted by Jonathan Beatty, who has directed each UniBrass performance since 2011, the band won the 'Best March' prize for ‘Padstow Lifeboat’ and featured 'Best Soloist' Jacob Hickson on euphonium. Some distance apart from the top two, the final podium place went to the University of Chichester who opened the contest day with their clever 'Weather' themed set led by MD Emma Button.
Competition founders Lancaster University Brass Band claimed it’s first victory with the Shield honours. Led by conductors Hugh Streets and Christopher Pollock, their set entitled 'Pendle Witch Trails' was inspired by the history of the university area. Featuring soloists in each item they also secured the 'Most Entertaining Band' prize. Southampton University Brass Band, led by Oliver Picken coming runner-up and University of Birmingham Music Society Brass Band were placed, third conducted by Stuart Birnie. At the awards ceremony the 'Spirit of UniBrass' prize, given to someone who exemplifies the qualities of all that is good about university brass banding, was presented to Scott Henderson of Lancaster University. The event will now move to Cardiff University in 2025.
Results
UniBrass Trophy Section:
Adjudicators: John Barber & Mark Landon
1. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (Joshua Geddes & Alan Gifford): 97+42 = 139
2. The University of Huddersfield Brass Band (Johnathan Beatty): 95+43 = 138
3. University of Chichester Brass Band (Emma Button): 91+39 = 130
4. University of Warwick Brass Society (Tom Stoneman): 88+41 = 129
5. University of York Brass Band (Abigail Rongong): 87+37 = 124
6. The University of Manchester, University of Salford & Manchester Metropolitan University Brass Band (Ben Hill-Wilson): 86+36 = 122
7. Durham University Brass Band (Alex Romanec): 81+40 = 121
8. Royal Holloway University of London Brass Band (James Begg): 85+35 = 120*
9. Oxford University Brass Band (Alice Knight & David Pugh): 82+38 = 120
10. University of Sheffield Brass Band (David McLaren): 84+33 = 117*
11. University of Leeds (Matthew Pitman): 83+34 = 117
12. University of Bristol (Imogen McAra): 80+32 = 112
* Higher music points take precedent
Most Entertaining Band: The University of Huddersfield Brass Band
Best Student Conductor(s): Joshua Geddes & Alan Gifford (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire)
Best Soloist: Jacob Hickson (euphonium) — The University of Huddersfield Brass Band
Best March: The University of Huddersfield Brass Band
Best Percussion Section: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Audience Award: University of York Brass Band
UniBrass Shield Section:
Adjudicators: Dr Brett Baker & Helen Varley
1. Lancaster University Brass Band (Hugh Streets & Christopher Pollock): 96+48 = 144
2. Southampton University Brass Band (Oliver Picken): 97+45 = 142
3. University of Birmingham Music Society Brass Band (Stuart Birnie): 98+43 = 141*
4. Nottingham (Becky Brundrett-Hall & Jonathan Fielden): 95+46 = 141
5. Bangor & Liverpool Universities' Brass Band (Dominic Wearne): 94+44 = 138
6. Cambridge University Brass Band (Sam Thackray): 90+45 = 135
7. King's College London Brass Band (Alex Borland): 93+41 = 134*
8. Cardiff University Brass Band (Ianto Williams): 92+42 = 134
9. Keele University Brass Band (Ben Spindler): 91+40 = 131
10. University of Bath Brass Band (Aaron Jones): 89+39 = 128
11. UEA Brass Ensemble (Katy Stone): 88+39 = 127
* Higher music points take precedent
Most Entertaining Band: Lancaster University Brass Band
Best Student Conductor: Oliver Picken (Southampton University Brass Band)
Best Soloist: Luke Barker (cornet) — University of Birmingham Music Society Brass Band
Best March: University of Birmingham Music Society Brass Band
Best Percussion Section: Bangor & Liverpool Universities' Brass Band
Audience Award: Cardiff University Brass Band
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