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2nd Place for Barton Town Band in the National Finals

Saturday 29th September saw Barton Town Band making the journey to Harrogate International Conference
Centre to take part in the National Brass Banding Finals of Great Britain, having won its place by becoming the
Northern area Champions earlier in the year.

Brass band competitions require all competing band to perform the same test piece, in this case, ‘Imperium’, a 3
movement description of Roman Emperors. Adjudication is by 2 judges who sit in a private box and who are not
allowed to know the identity of the bands performing, the order of play is decided on the day by a
representative from each band drawing numbered balls out of a bag, this (draw) requires all the bands to be
present from the start of the contest which meant an early start for all.

Barton Band had to leave at 6am; they had to fit a practice in before the draw and then psyche themselves up
for the contest. However their preparation had started months before with the appointment of top conductor
Richard Evans. Richard has been described as the Sir Alex Fergusson of Brass bands, he is one of the most
colourful and flamboyant characters on the British brass band scene today. With a unique ability to instill pride
and passion into every player, he is ultimately the driving force behind each band he conducts. Barton felt very
fortunate to engage a conductor of his standing. After many hard practices with their resident conductor Garry
Oglesby, Richard stepped in during the last few weeks and started to shape and polish the performance, the
Band and conductor got on very well. Their Chairman Jonathan Evison had this to say, “We found Richard to
be a delightful man, very well schooled in managing personalities and a terrific motivator. Add to this his musical
skill and we had a terrific time under his direction and I certainly got the impression that the feeling was mutual”.
The band were drawn 17 out of a field of 18 which they thought was a good place for them to play, Jonathan
again, “To an outsider it may seem irrelevant where you are drawn but experience tells us that later draw times
give the adjudicating team time and space to develop their opinions and very few win competitions off the No1
spot”.

The Band played well and the adjudicators awarded them 184 out of 200, unfortunately they were just pipped
by 1 point and had to settle for second place, a very nice trophy and cheque for £750.00.

4 Bars rest, the best known brass band web sight, had this to say about their performance,” Test Piece
Imperium 1st movement Pompey: A good start and a swagger march [what would you expect from the old
General Tickius Dickius]. Some scrapes but nicely done.
2nd movement Cicero: Perhaps a little less secure but well shaped and atmospheric. You sense the critique
and the dark deeds. 3rd movement Caesar: Again the Romans are all swagger and show – chests puffed out
as they head back home to Rome.
Overall: A good one this – and should be rewarded with a share of the spoils from the box. Star player: Cornet
– Neil Day – Brutus to Dickie’s Caesar – but he didn’t end up stabbing him! “

All in all a good day for the Band this, and year to date the band have been in the prizes in every contest they
have entered with a 1st prize and two 2nd prizes to their credit so far. The Band’s actual contest performance of
Imperium can be down loaded from their web site at www.bartontownband.com