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
