Wardle Academy has the Brass Factor!

Wardle Academy Intermediate Band win first place ATA National Brass Competition, the Brass Factor

Wardle Academy Intermediate Band took first place in the ATA National Brass Competition, the Brass Factor.

The competition, held at The Engine Shed in Wetherby, saw six brass bands compete, in front of an all-star judging panel including BBC weather presenter Kay Crewdson, BBC Radio Leeds presenter David Hoyle and two Brass Band experts, Kevin Wadsworth and Sandy Smith, for the title of Brass Factor Champions.

The Wardle Academy Intermediate Band kicked off the competition with John Williams’ Olympic Fanfare and Theme and followed this with the 1914 March by Gordon MacKenzie. Then Londonderry Air featured the Euphoniums: Amelia Mills, Olivia Turner and Ewan Giles.

They earned a special mention from the judges because, unlike the other bands, they performed the piece without music.

The band finished with Darrol Barry’s arrangement of Essential James Bond, which featured a solo from Louise Rigg, and the upbeat Bandstand Boogie by Stuart Johnson.

The judges commented on the band’s impressive musical ability, tuning and precision and, after listening to the rest of the bands, Wardle Academy were thrilled to find out they were the winners of the Brass Factor.

Janet Emsley, Director of Performing Arts at Wardle Academy, said: “It was our first time competing in the Brass Factor and the band did us proud.

“They played an entertaining set which the audience obviously really enjoyed. We appreciated the positive remarks from the judges and will act upon their advice next time and smile more.

“We would like to thank the sponsors of the Brass Factor and are looking forward to going down to London in the near future, courtesy of Grand Central.”