The world-famous Grimethorpe Band yesterday claimed victory at the annual Brass in Concert Championships at the Sage Gateshead, opening with a striking new work by Christopher Bond ‘Lest We Forget’. Indeed their entire 25-minute programme was also entitled ‘Lest We Forget’, with each of their five pieces based on the World Wars, and the 100-year anniversary commemorated this year since the outbreak of the First World War.
Led by Dr Robert Childs, their programme based on remembrance of sacrifice and selfless commitment also gave the audience a timely memory jolt to why they are still regarded by fans all over the banding world as the ultimate brass band entertainment specialist. Theirs was a brave, evocative programme choice; one the MD revealed to 4BR that he had thought long and hard about presenting over the past few years. It proved to be one that certainly found consistent favour with the five separate judges.
First and third place positions from Alan Morrison and David Thornton for ‘Quality of Performance’ were backed by another first for ‘Programme Content’ from Paul Cosh, and second and fourth from Jo Wheeler and Steve Sykes for ’Entertainment & Presentation’.