*
banner

Results: SWBBA Torquay

St Dennis reign supreme in Torquay, with wins for Mount Charles Youth, Hatherleigh, Sidmouth Town and City of Bristol.

SWBBA
 

The 63rd Annual Championships of the South West Brass Band Association were held at the Riviera International Conference Centre, Torquay on Saturday 7th November where 31 bands competed in six Sections, with St Dennis, conducted by Derek Greenwood, taking the title of SWBBA Championship Band 2009 by winning the Open Section with their performance of Peter Graham's 'Essence of Time'.

Delight

Following the introduction last year of a Training Band Section, a large audience enjoyed listening to the talent of so many enthusiastic and smiling youngsters.

Once again Torquay proved to be a popular venue, which reflected in the high overall standard of music making and everybody enjoying the competitive but friendly atmosphere for which these Championships are noted.

I really enjoyed a long day of quality music making and the standard of performance was extremely highAdjudicator, Barry Thompson

High quality

The adjudicator, Barry Thompson stated: "I really enjoyed a long day of quality music making and the standard of performance was extremely high. The highlight was listening, seeing and adjudicating the Training Section — a very well organised event and an excellent venue."

The large audience gave an emotional and sincere welcome to the Association’s President, Goff Richards, who presented the trophies to the winning bands, along with the Chairman, Ray Kingdon.

Results:

Training Section:

Test-Piece: Own choice of any music
Gold Award: St Keverne Junior (Gareth Churcher)
Gold Award: Launceston Training (Ann Brown)
Gold Award: Lostwithiel Junior (Jane Whitehead)

Special Award for Best Instrumentalist: Solo Cornet with Launceston Junior

Youth Section:
Test-Piece: Little Suite for Brass No.1’ (Malcolm Arnold) & Own Choice March
1. Mount Charles Youth (Jeremy Willcock)
2. St Keverne Youth (Gareth Churcher)

Special Award for Best Instrumentalist — Solo Euphonium with Mount Charles Youth

Fourth Section:
Test-Piece: ‘Four Little Maids’ (John Carr)

1. Hatherleigh Silver (David Hayward)
2. Weymouth Concert Brass (Adam Glynn)
3. Indian Queens Silver (Kevin Ackford)
4. Tiverton Town (Gilly Taylor)
5. Okehampton Excelsior Silver (Des Law)
6. Totnes (Steve Young)
7. Porthleven Town (E F Ralph)
8. City of Exeter Railway (Colin G Dance)

Special Award for Best Bass Section — Hatherleigh Silver


Third Section:
Test-Piece: ‘The Haslemere Suite’ (Peter Graham)

1. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
2. Weston Brass (T Osborne)
3. Pendennis Brass Falmouth (Steve Thomas)
4. Pillowell Silver (Steve Ruck)
5. St Stythians (James Burns)
6. Launceston Town (Dave Dobson)

Special Award for Best Horn Section — Sidmouth Town

 
Second Section:
Test-Piece: ‘The Aeronauts’ (Goff Richards)

1. City of Bristol Brass (Ceri Thomas)
2. Phoenix Brass Crewkerne (Paul Slator)
3. Heyl Town (Derek Johnston)
4. St Pinnock (Jeremy Willcock)
5. Weston Brass (T. Osborne)

Special Award for Best Instrumentalist — Solo horn with City of Bristol Brass


Open Section:
Test-Piece: ‘Own Choice’

1. St Dennis (Derek Greenwood)
2. Chalford (Steve Tubb)
3. Michelmersh Silver (Melvin White)
4. Yeovil Town (Kevin Robbins)
5. Swindon Pegasus Brass (Paul Uzzell)
6. Lympstone South West Telecom (Charlie Fleming)
7. Lanner & District Silver (Stuart Chappell)


Highest Placed First Section Band: Chalford

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Besson Horizons

New Horizons Exchange links UK and Swiss youth again

June 6 • The Besson Horizon programme will once again see youngsters from the National Youth Bands of Great Britain and Switzerland enjoy reciprocal musical trips.


British Open

High demand for premium tickets for British Open

June 5 • Premium tickets for the British Open are starting to become increasingly limited — so don't miss out.


Chav Brass

Chav Brass set for serious fun at Whit Friday

June 5 • The scallywags of the Whit Friday circuit will be performing with serious ambition this year as they seek to inspire the next generation with a mix of DJ Sammy and Eric Ball...


Whit Friday

2025 Tameside Whit Friday details confirmed

June 4 • From start times to prize money, contact details and essential information — the details of the Tameside Whit Friday contests have been announced.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Epping Forest Band

June 6 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Chelmsford Silver Bnad

June 6 • Front row cornet, solo horn & trombone players. We are a friendly, active non competition band established 75 years performing regularly in Chelmsford & Essex. Rehearsals averaging 26 players on Wednesday evenings at Broomfield Methodist Church Chelmsford


HYDE BAND

June 5 • WE CURRENTLY HAVE PLAYER VACANCIES FOR BB BASS, BARITONE & EUPHONIUM. Join our friendly 1st Section Band in the New forest, working with our Musical Director: Ben Halstead on a varied programme of concerts and contests. Rehearsals Mon & Thurs 8-10


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd