The 65th Annual Championships of the South West Brass Band Association was held at the Riviera Conference Centre in Torquay on the weekend, where 37 bands competed in 7 sections on what proved to be a highly successful and enjoyable event.
Impressive champions
In a keenly fought Open Section, Lanner & District Silver, conducted by Stuart Chappell, claimed the Jerwood Bowl and title of South West Champions.
According to adjudicator Peter Bassano, their ‘very impressive’ rendition of ‘Frontier!’ by Michael Ball proved good enough to repel the strong challenge of National First Section champions Aldbourne.
They showed their growing ambition with their selection of ‘On the Shoulders of Giants’ under the baton David Johnson, whilst Chalford, directed by Steve Tubb was third performing ‘Equilibrium’ by Paul Lovatt- Cooper.
Second win
It was Lanner’s second win at the contest, following their initial success in 2005, whilst principal cornet player Richard Rowe picked up the Maurice Gooding Trophy as ‘Best Cornet’.
The winning MD, Stuart Chappell, told 4BR: "The players not only rose to the challenging technical difficulties posed by the music but also played with great musicality. I thought that we gave a highly commendable performance and it was a great reward for all the hard work put in preparing for the contest."
I thought that we gave a highly commendable performance and it was a great reward for all the hard work put in preparing for the contestLanner & District MD, Stuart Chappell
Great day
Band Chairman, Lee Rouse added: "Becoming the South West Champions marks another great day in the history of the band, and the result is testament to the commitment and determination of all those involved."
Fine victory
Elsewhere, there was a fine victory in the Second Section for St Pinnock conducted by Chris Spreadbury.
Their rendition of the set work, ‘Suite Gothique’ claimed victory over Cornish rivals Bugle Silver and Bodmin Town, with principal cornet player Lauren Carroll taking the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.
Strong challenge
Weston Brass conducted by Tony Osborne beat off the strong challenge of the pre contest favourites Sidmouth Town and Bream Silver to take the Third Section honours. Their fine performance of ‘Saint Saens Variations’ also saw their horn section taking the individual ‘Best Section’ award.
Earlier, Launceston Town made a fine return to contest winning form in taking the Fourth Section title under the baton of Dave Dobson on the set work, ‘First Suite in Eb’, ahead of Midsommer Norton and Tiverton Town.
Rising Generation
TT Brass Totnes delivered a fine performance under Alan Wilmott of their own choice selection, ‘The Rising Generation’ to take the Un-Graded Section honours, whilst the highly competitive Youth Section saw Mount Charles Youth, conducted by Jeremy Willcock pip St Keverne Youth and Launceston Youth.
Following the introduction a few years ago of the Training Band Section, it was highly encouraging to see five bands take to the stage this year top produce playing of a remarkably high standard.
Gold award
Soundhouse Brass under the direction of Emma Heard took the Gold Award from adjudicator Brian Minear.
Adjudicators Peter Bassano and Brian Minear told 4BR that the day had proven to be a delightful musical success: "We really enjoyed ourselves. It was an excellent day of quality music making, and the performances in all sections were of an overall high standard."
The Association’s guest of honour, Sue Richards, assisted by the chairman Ray Kingdon, presented the trophies.
Results:
Open Section:
Test-Piece: Own Choice
1. Lanner & District Silver (Stuart Chappell)
2. Aldbourne (David Johnson)
3. Chalford (Steve Tubb)
4. St Dennis (Darren Hawken)
5. Milton Keynes Brass (Paul Fensom)
6. Helston Town (John Hitchens)
7. Lympstone South West Telecoms (Charles Fleming)
8. Poole Borough (Phil Randell)
Highest Placed First Section Band: Lanner & District Silver
Best Cornet Player: Lanner & District Silver
Second Section:
Test-Piece: Suite Gothique — arr Eric Ball
1. St Pinnock (Chris Spreadbury)
2. Bugle Silver (Jeremy Willcock)
3. Bodmin Town (Garry Lannie)
4. City of Bristol (Ceri Thomas)
5. Soundhouse Brass (Kevin Robbins)
6. Phoenix Brass Crewkerne (David Hatton)
7. Weston Brass (Tony Osborne)
8. Heyl Town (David Loukes)
Best Instrumentalist: Lauren Carroll (St Pinnock)
Third Section:
Test-Piece: Saint-Saens Variations — Philip Sparke
1. Weston Brass (Tony Osborne)
2. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
3. Bream Silver (Bryn James)
4. South Molton Town (Gil Taylor)
5. Downton (Roland Wright)
6. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn)
Best Horn Section: Weston Brass
Fourth Section:
Test-Piece: First Suite in Eb — Gustav Holst
1. Launceston Town (Dave Dobson)
2. Midsomer Norton & Radstock Silver (Joanne Sykes)
3. Tiverton Town (Gil Taylor)
4. Wincanton Silver (David Bertie)
5. Okehampton Excelsior Silver (Des Law)
6. Torbay Brass (Tom Finnegan)
Best Set of Basses: Launceston Town
Un-Graded Section:
Test-Piece: Own Choice
1. TT Brass Totnes (Alan Wilmott)
Youth Section:
Test-Piece: Three Saints — Goff Richards
1. Mount Charles Youth (Jeremy Willcock)
2. St Keverne Youth (Gareth Churcher)
3. Launceston Town Youth (Ann Brown)
Best Instrumentalist: Solo Cornet (St Keverne Youth)
Training Section:
Test-Piece: Own Choice
Gold Award: Soundhouse Brass Training (Emma Heard)
Gold Award: St Keverne Junior (Gareth Churcher)
Silver Award: Pendennis Youth/Training (Arthur Allen)
Bronze Award: TT Brass Totnes (Alan Wilmott)
Bronze Award: Lostwithiel Junior (Jane Whitehead)
Best Instrumentalist: Trombone (St Keverne Junior)
