Last weekend, the Wessex Brass Band Association in conjunction with the Royal Marines, held their Youth & Training Band Festival at the Trafalgar School, Downton, near Salisbury.

Turn out

There was an excellent turn out of competitors for adjudicator Captain Ian Davis to enjoy, with a great deal of success for the youngsters of both Andover Town Band and Test Valley Brass in particular.

The youngsters and adult learners of Andover Town Band were awarded the ‘Overall Best Band’ Award in memory of the great Leighton Rich.

In the Training Section, victory went to Andover with their soprano player Adam Large presented with a Gold Certificate for his stunning solo contribution.

Bagpipes

There was also a special mention from the adjudicator for young bagpipe player Diarmind MacDonald from Test Valley for his stunning playing on their performance of ‘Highland Cathedral’.

Andover also triumphed in the Ensemble Class thanks to their innovative and highly entertaining programme, to just pip an excellent set from Bath Spa Training. Andover also won the ‘Best Hymn Tune Performance’.

Excellent

In the Youth Section there was victory to the excellent Vectis Brass Youth who just pipped Test Valley Brass Youth. Vectis took the award for Best Bass Section, whilst Silver and Bronze Awards went to Gillingham Training and Bridge Brass.

The award for Best Instrumentalist went to Izzy Rutherford of Test Valley for her excellent performance of ‘Georgia on My Mind’.

There was also a special mention from the adjudicator for young bagpipe player Diarmind MacDonald from Test Valley for his stunning playing on their performance of ‘Highland Cathedral’4BR

Results:

Training Section:
1. Andover Training
2. Test Valley Brass

Ensemble Class:
1. Andover Training
2. Bath Spa Training

Youth Section:
1. Vectis Brass Youth
2. Test Valley Brass Youth

Silver Award: Gillingham Training Band
Bronze Award: Bridge Brass
Best Bass Section: Vectis Brass Youth
Youngest Player: Finalay Morgan (aged 7) – Gillingham Training Band

Best Performance of hymn tune in either section: Andover Training Band

Best Deportment in either section: Test Valley Brass Training

Gold Awards: Adam Large (soprano) — Andover Training Band

Best Instrumentalist in either sections: Izzy Rutherford (cornet) — Test Valley Brass

Best Overall Band: Andover Training Band