The 12th Exmouth Brass Band Festival, promoted by the South West Brass Band Association was held on the weekend at the Exmouth Pavilion, with a capacity audience enjoying a feast of music presented by 13 bands from Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.

High standard

Adjudicator Melvin White congratulated all the competitors and their musical directors for the high standard of playing, with eventual winners St Pinnock taking the honours under MD, Chris Spreadbury.

Their 25-minute entertainment programme certainly caught the ear, with the upbeat opener, arranged by the conductor of ‘Dancing Men’ setting the tome for a performance of purpose and quality.

Lively

This was followed by the march ‘Castell Coch’ before solo euphonium Rachel Crabb delivered a fine rendition of ‘Benedictus’. A change of style with the lively ‘Zambesi’ was contrasted with ‘The Irish Blessing’ before they just had enough time to close with a whip through ‘Toccata in D Minor’.

It gave St Pinnock the overall title as Exmouth Band of the Year, as well as the award for ‘Best Second Section Band’ and ‘Most Entertaining Band’ on the day. Their exciting percussion team of Marcus Bunt, Dan Tamblyn and John and Shirley Hodkin also took the ‘Best Percussion’ Section Award.

The band was thrilled to hear the results winning Best Band and Most Entertaining Band. What a day it proved to beChris Luckhurst, St Pinnock Band

Delighted

Band spokesperson Chris Luckhurst told 4BR: "We’re delighted with the victory as it sets us up to consolidate our position in the Second Section in 2012. We are moving in the right direction and we enjoy playing to our ethos of making music enjoyable for players and audience alike."

That meant that despite the chance to unwind the band also took the opportunity to showcase their talents in the open air concert that saw them also perform solos from Dan Tamblyn as well a touch of 70’s pop with the Bee Gee’s classic’ Words’.

Thrilled

Chris added: "The band was thrilled to hear the results winning Best Band and Most Entertaining Band. What a day it proved to be!"

Second place overall went to Cheltenham bound Pendennis Brass directed by Steve Thomas with Third Section West of England Champion Sidmouth Town under Adrian Harvey also gaining a pre Finals boost in third.

Matt Read, principal cornet of Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne) took the Best Soloist Award for his excellent rendition of ‘Through the Eyes of Love’.

Full Result:

1. St Pinnock (Chris Speadbury)
2. Pendennis Brass (Steve Thomas)
3. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
4. Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne) (David Hatton)
5. Soundhouse Brass (Kevin Robbins)
6. Launceston Town (Dave Dobson)
7. Appledore (Jim Wortley)
8. Bideford Town (Roger Ashby)
9. Tiverton Town (Gil Taylor)
10. Torrington Silver (Terry Hutchings)
11. Hartland Town (John Thompson)
12. City of Exeter Railway (Gareth Davies)

Additional Prizes:

Exmouth Brass Band Festival Band 2011: St Pinnock
Best Entertaining Band: St Pinnock
Best Soloist: Matt Read – cornet: (Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne))
Best Percussion Section: St Pinnock
Best Trombone Section: Sidmouth Town