The Leyland Band were delighted to have been placed 4th at the 2015 British Open Championships held at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham. The contest was a debut performance for several of the bands’ players and also for our new Musical Director Thomas Wyss. Special thanks go to Swiss cornet star Vincent Bearpark and also Simon Moore who deputised on Principal Cornet and Solo Trombone respectively.
Widely regarded as the toughest contest, the band achieved its best result since 2009. Amongst a field of 17 of the world’s best brass bands; the band were drawn number 11, delivering a fine performance of Stephen Roberts’ ‘Reflections on Swan Lake’
From the adjudicators box, Stephen Roberts wrote, ‘A commanding performance brimming with refined musicality and engaging drama’ and Adrian Morris added, ‘This is a fine performance with plenty of cultural playing, thank you.’
Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent, Adrian Morris, Stephen Roberts
1. Grimethorpe Colliery (Dr Robert Childs)
2. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof. David King)
3. Cory (Philip Harper)
4. Leyland (Thomas Wyss)
5. Fodens (Allan Withington)
6. Black Dyke (Prof. Nicholas Childs)
7. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
8. Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern (Michael Bach)
9. Co-operative Funeralcare (Allan Ramsay)
10. Flowers (Paul Holland)
11. Fairey (Garry Cutt)
12. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
13. Milnrow (Mark Bentham)
14. Desford Colliery (Tom Davoren)
15. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths)
16. Woodfalls (Erik Janssen)
17. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Phillip McCann)*
18. Kirkintilloch (Russell Gray)*
*Relegated to Grand Shield
Stanley Wainwright Memorial Trophy: Dr Roger Webster (cornet) – Grimethorpe Colliery
Brian Evans Memorial Trophy: Kevin Crockford, (soprano) – Grimethorpe Colliery
The Geoffrey Whitham Memorial Trophy: Glyn Williams (euphonium) – Cory
Our MD talks to 4BR post performance.