Yorkshire Championship
It promises to be a very interesting battle in the First Section on Saturday afternoon, where a whole batch of strong competitors are looking to book their place at National Finals in Harrogate.
Last year’s qualifiers from Yorkshire didn’t make an impression at the National Finals, coming 4th and 14th, but you may expect a few of the bands in the hall will fancy their chances of lifting the silverware in September.
Yorkshire’s record in Harrogate isn’t too bad but if the band’s here really do have realistic ambitions of making mark at Championship level then they need to be able to claim at least some silverware come September.
Holst’s ‘A Moorside Suite’ will not make it easy for any of them though – far from it.
The last time Yorkshire Imperial was in this position was back in 2005. After a set of unfortunate and at times baffling results (adjudicators, what do they know?), some mixed performances (to be fare) and some bad luck meant they were destined for the first section. Members at the time were determined to put right what many felt was an unfair and unjust decision. The band failed to win the Yorkshire title by a single point coming second with a performance that many felt was the best on the day.
Come September 2005 however the strong feeling of camaraderie, passionate emotions and a desire to put right the injustice of relegation and see the band return to the elite, led to the band winning the national title. The Imps became the first band ever to be winners of both the coveted Championship Band of Great Britain (1978), image left, and a Lower National section title.
This year’s band will hope that history will repeat itself but will also know that nothing is free and will be working hard to ensure a good result. So, the Imps invite you all to come down to Bradford on Saturday and show your support for Leeds’ finest band.
Saturday 6th March
Adjudicators: Lynda Nicholson & Kevin Wadsworth
Test Piece: A Moorside Suite (Gustav Holst)
Commences: 2.30pm
Draw: 1.00pm
