Contest Results
November - 2008
On Sunday, the Band attended The 'Wilkinson Championships' at St Helens where they performed their test piece 'The Shipbuilders' in the Third Section. The band won a Third Placed position and they were presented with The E R Ratcliffe Builders Ltd Cup. Yet another trophy for the cabinet, on this, the last contest of 2008. Altogether a great year of contesting for the band.
Principal Cornet player, Tom Gibb was awarded 'The Bill Sherwood Memorial Trophy' for ' Best Cornet Player' in the Third Section.
Very well done Tom !
"wae'aye man !!"
October - 2008
4th Section Pontins Brass Band Champions 2008
For the second year running the Band have been crowned 4th Section Pontins Champions, a brilliant result from a number one draw. With everyone gathered to hear the announcement of the results in the hall on Saturday, we were all thrilled to be given first place. Our MD, Mr Alan Widdop, should once again be thanked for all his dedication and hard work given to the Band. It has been a tremendous four years for the Band, under the direction of Alan, which has culminated in winning our last contest in the Fourth Section this weekend in true style. After so much hard work we are looking forward to our promotion into the Third Section Nationally in January.
Our Congratulations go to all the Fourth Section prize winners at Pontins, the top six of which are all from The North West Area. A wonderful result !
National Brass Band Championships - Harrogate - September 2008
This weekend saw the Band represent The North West Area and secure their Second Place win at the NATIONAL FINALS in Harrogate . A splendid result, for all the hard work that has gone into the preparation leading up to the ‘ Finals'. As always, a special mention of thanks goes to our Musical Director Mr Alan Widdop. The Band is now looking forward to their well earned promotion into the 3rd Section Nationally in January 2009.
We are delighted to announce our CONGRATULATIONS to Our Solo Euphonium player, Trevor Hughes, who was honoured with the title of
Best Instrumentalist (4thSection) at the
NATIONAL BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS this weekend at Harrogate.
Well done Trevor !
Congratulations also go to Lostock Hall Memorial Band, who claimed their First Place as Champions, well done!
June- 2008
Hebden Bridge March Contest
4th Section - 1st prize
Marsden March Contest
Riverhead Contest = 3rd & 4th Section - 1st prize
Marsden Bandroom Contest = 3rd & 4th Section - 1st prize
Holmfirth Contest 2008 - Champions
Section B (3rd & 4th Section) =
1st prize = Hymn Tune
1st prize = Test Piece
Outstanding Trombone Section prize
Outstanding Conductor prize - Alan Widdop
Section A (Championship / 1st /2nd Section) & Section B (3rd & 2th Section) =
Outstanding Cornet player of the day- Tom Gibb (Principle Cornet)
May- 2008
Whit Friday Results 2008
Denshaw - 1st Prize Fourth Section - 14th overall out of 52 bands
Friezland - 6th Place Band Overall out of 48 Bands
Greenfield - 1st Prize Fourth Section - 22nd overall out of 66 bands
Lydgate - 1st Prize Fourth Section (correction) - 25th overall out of 53 bands
Scouthead & Austerlands - 1st Prize Fourth Section - 22nd overall out of 70 bands
Uppermill - 1st Fourth Section Prize - 20th Overall out of 58 bands
Buxton High Peak District 4th Section Champions!
The Band is delighted to announce, that for the second year running, they received a first placed position at the Buxton Contest on Sunday 4 th May 2008 .
With the chosen Test Piece, Triptych for Brass Band by Philip Sparke, the Band competed against 12 other bands on the day in the 4 th Section. “An excellent performance” was how adjudicator, Steven Pritchard-Jones described the performance and congratulated the Band when he presented ‘The Charles Kitchen Trophy’ to the Band Secretary. Once again, hard work has paid off and thanks to our Musical Director Alan Widdop we brought the Silver wear and the Celebrations home to the Band Room.
Our congratulations go to all the Bands who received prizes at Buxton on the day.
March- 2008
North West Area Contest - 4th Section
The Band had found themselves working hard towards getting a good result this year at Blackpool, which certainly paid off, after a marvelous performance of 'Four Cities Symphony', we were rewarded with a First Placed position, qualifing once again for The National Finals in Harrogate, together with a promotion to the 3rd Section nationally.
Good Luck to all the qualifing bands taking part in The Nationals in September.
February- 2008
Brass at the Guild - 3rd Section
As the contest season starts, we find ourselves once again competing in the 3rd Section at Preston. 'Dark Side Of The Moon' was our chosen piece. However, we had to be content with a dissapointing result of 11th place on the day, but hopefully we will do much better at the Area Contest next month.
November 2007
Wilkinsons Open - 3rd Section
This would be the second year the band would enter the 3rd Section at the contest. Once again they gained a respectable 4th place with a performance of 'Roman Tryptych'.
4th Section Pontins Brass Band Champions 2007
Having only a matter of weeks to prepare and rehearse the test piece for the contest, the band had been working really hard having taken part at the National Brass Band Championships in Harrogate. All the hard work paid off on the day, with a number 10 draw we did not have to wait too long for the results, hoping that we could improve on our previous 3rd placed positions in both 2005 & 2006. The band are delighted to be crowned Pontins 4th Section Champions of 2007. Celebrations went on in true Pontins style with many people congratulating us throughout the weekend.
Once again special Thanks must go to our M.D - Mr Alan Widdop, whose commitment and enthusiasm is always there for us!
We would like to congratulate all bands who contested on the day with a special mention to all the other prize recipients!
Comments & images courtesy of 4barsrest below:
"...Having got that out of the way it has to be said the winners Uppermill were a country mile in front of the others, both in sound, technique and the ability to make the music come alive. On the evidence of this performance they are in the wrong section and they put the obvious disappointment of their recent trip to Harrogate well and truly behind them with a confident and competent display to take the title. It was richly deserved.
Then came what turned out to be the winning performance from Uppermill. This it has to be said was a performance well above Fourth Section standard for us on the day. Well shaped with the musical line always to the fore it was a performance that was well clear of the rest of the field. It was in a nutshell a different piece of music, sensitive when required and full of drive and feeling for the music. If points had been awarded then a four or even five point margin would have been most appropriate for Alan Widdop and his band."
Secretary -Jean Prescott receiving our 1st prize trophy on the day.
National Brass Band Championships - Harrogate - September 2007
Uppermill Band qualified back in March at the Regional Contest in Blackpool, when they came second at Blackpool with the test piece "The Seasons".
A tremendous amount of preparation, work and commitment went into getting to Harrogate , unfortunately the 12 th placed result on the day was not the one we were looking for.
It was an honour to represent the North West Area at the Finals, and the Band did themselves very proud with their performance of Roman Tryptich. The Band would like to thank all their supporters and also 4barsrest for their support and comments on our performance.
Here are the 4barsrest Live comments of our performance on the day & the Retrospectives that followed:
Live:
"Uppermill, A. Widdop, 13
Region: North West
Charioteers: Michael Schumacher in this chariot – what a driver. It doesn't miss a gear and the tigers snarl and growl with real menace. An almost faultless lap of the racetrack.
Pilgrims: Lots of purpose – rock solid in their musical beliefs and not one weak spirited follower on show. The contest Gods are smiling.
Colosseum: Real x-rated blood and guts – just what we have waited for all day. Maximus suffers the odd nick and a bit of spilt blood but it wins through all right.
Overall: Alan Widdop has come, saw and perhaps conquered Harrogate. Hail Widdop. Will take some beating.
Star player: A team effort this with a special mention to Emperor Widdop."
Retrospectives:
"...a bit of a surprise as Uppermill who where the next band to take to the stage certainly made an impression on many people in the hall, but not the two men in the box.
This for us was the most complete performance of the day, but not so for Allan Ramsay and David Hirst. A commanding opening section gave way to a solid middle movement before a well structured, detailed and committed final section rounded off a performance that seemed a clear leader for us and one that did MD Alan Widdop proud.
Speaking to the judges after however it was clear that they felt it lacked for dynamic contrast and control, pointing out that it was too scrappy to really make more of a mark than it eventually did – in 12th place. There is always one band that gets a bit of a rough deal at a contest and perhaps on this occasion Uppermill was it. We had it as our winner, but we were well off the mark – but then again so were many others, as the only correct decision was the one to be found by the two men in the box. "
Click here for more from 4barsrest at the National Championships of Great Britain - Lower sections.
Continued success at Marsden March Contest - June 2007
In the combined 3rd / 4th Section, two first placed results were secured by the Band at Marsden off the number one draw. Another fantastic result in our winning streak!
Triple Win & Hat Trick at Holmfirth Contest !! - June 2007
The Band are delighted with their sucess at this years' Holmfith Contest. For Four Years the band have been awarded 1st place. This year it was a Hat Trick for our conductor, Alan Widdop, taking home first prize in both the Hymn tune & Own Choice Test piece. The Best Euphonium prize in the section was also awarded to the band.
Whit Friday results - June 2007
Denshaw - 1st Prize Saddleworth / 1st Deportment Prize
Friezland - 4th Place Band Overall
Greenacres - 1st Prize Fourth Section
Greenfield - 3rd Prize Fourth Section
Heyrod - 1st Prize Fourth Section
Hurst Cross - 2nd Prize Fourth Section
Lydgate - Highest Placed Fourth Section
Scouthead & Austerlands - 2nd Saddleworth Prize
Uppermill - 1st Saddleworth Prize
1st Prize at Boarshurst March Contest - May 2007
At Boarshurst March Contest The Band competed and once again were delighted with a First Prize in their section. Despite the rain on the evening everyone enjoyed the result.
1st Prize at Buxton - April 2007
Once again The Band took part in the Annual Buxton Brass Band Contest, where they were rewarded with a well deserved First Prize. A Prize was also awarded to The Band for the Best Bass Section.
Band placed 3rd at Tameside - March 2007
Another great performance against strong opposition at the Tameside contest on 25th March. The Band competed in the local Third Section, and won Third Prize on the day. A fantastic result.
Band is through to the National Finals - March 2007
An excellent performance at the regional qualifiers in Blackpool - some considered it a winning performance. Second place but we can't wait to show our mettle in the finals at Harrogate in September.