‘A tough result, but we’ll take it on the chin and move on,’ reflected Friary Chairman, David Wicks, after our disappointing result at the Regional Championships last Sunday.
Despite the many hours of practice, it was not Friary’s day at Stevenage. Drawn to play second was not ideal, and it seems that our interpretation of Derek Bourgeois’ Diversions did not find favour with the adjudicators.
‘Thank you for your performance, mostly successful, and soloists delivered solidly. Some heavier dynamics and balance in the middle movement to think about, and the last movement just felt a little hurried and heavy in places,’ was the summary of adjudicator Anne Crookston, with fellow judge Paul Norley largely in agreement. The placing of 8th felt somewhat harsh but as one former leading conductor said, ‘You can only accept the disappointing results and make the most of the good ones.’
Warmest congratulations to winners East London Brass, their first victory in the Regional top section, and to their Musical Director Jayne Murrill who became only the second woman to conduct a winning band. Our usual main rivals Zone One Brass took second place, also booking their ticket to the National Finals in October. Particular commiserations to Redbridge who recorded yet another so near but yet so far third spot.
Spare a thought, too, for our friends in Cory who also took third place in the Welsh Regional Championships on Sunday. Had the rules remained unchanged, they would have prequalified, having taken fourth place in the National Finals last October. However, the number of finalists for 2025 has been trimmed back from 20 to 19, with only the top three from last year automatically returning to the Royal Albert Hall. It will be the first year since 1999 when they haven’t reached the Finals.
That’s banding! Here’s to next year.
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