The Friary Guildford Band maintained their impressive record at the Southern Counties Amateur Band Association Solo, Quartet & Ensemble contest at Burgess Hill recently, winning both the Quartet and Ensemble classes for the fourth successive year.

Determined opposition

"We know that there was some determined opposition, bent on taking the Ensemble title away from us," explained Band Chairman, Nigel Stevens.

"But we managed to pull it off once again. We’d put in some serious practice over the past few weeks, and this clearly paid off."

In the open solo classes, Friary’s principal euphonium, Chris Straker picked up wins in both the Air Varie and Slow Melody categories, with flugel horn Lauren Cave taking second place in the Slow Melody, and principal cornet Richard Straker taking second in the Air Varie and third in the Slow Melody.

Family fortunes

"It was something of a family affair," acknowledged Chris, "...particularly as my brother Richard will be getting married to Lauren in September!"

Lauren’s youngest brother Braedyn aged 8 and sister Madisyn aged 6 , who play for Aveley & Newham Juniors, took first and second in their Junior Slow Melody class, whilst younger brother Rhys (aged 18), from Thundersley Brass won the Youth Slow Melody class, with Braedyn taking third place. Madisyn also won the award for the youngest player on the day.

LGB wins

In the other sections there was a Youth Ensemble victory for Patcham Silver and a Youth Quartet win for LGB Brass, who also enjoyed a good overall day with victory in the B Ensemble and Second Section Quartet categories, whilst Christina Kearley won the Senior Solo event.

Results:
Adjudicators: Nicholas Garman & Alan Duguid

Juniors & Youth:

Youth Ensemble:
1. Patcham Silver
2. Mid Sussex Brass

Youth Quartet:
1. LGB Brass

Youth Slow Melody:
1. Rhys Cave (Thundersley Brass)
2. Hannah Labus (Uckfield Concert)
3. Braedyn Cave (Aveley & Newham Jnr)

Junior Slow Melody:
1. Braedyn Cave (Aveley & Newham Jnr)
2. Madisyn Cave (Aveley & Newham Jnr)
3. Samuel Banfield (Patcham Silver)

Best Interpretation of Test Piece (Junior & Youth Sections): Patcham Silver Youth Ensemble
Youngest Player: Madisyn Cave (Aveley & Newham Juniors)

Seniors:
A Ensemble (Open Section):
1. Friary Guildford
2. Horsham Borough
3. Diversity Brass

B Ensemble (2nd & 3rd Sections):
1. LGB Brass
2. Patcham Silver
3. Lingfield Silver

Open Quartet:
1. Friary Guildford
2. Diversity Brass
3. Yiewsley & West Drayton A

Highest Placed First Section Band: Yiewsley & West Drayton

Second Section Quartet:
1. LGB Brass B
2. LGB Brass C

Third Section Quartet:
1. Lingfield Silver A
2. Patcham Silver C
3. Lingfield Silver B

Best Interpretation of Test Piece (Senior Sections): Lingfield Silver B

Open Slow Melody:
1. Chris Straker (Friary Guildford)
2. Lauren Cave (Friary Guildford)
3. Richard Straker (Friary Guildford)

Open Solo (Air Varie):
1. Chris Straker (Friary Guildford)
2. Richard Straker (Friary Guildford)
3. Stephen Lomas (Diversity Brass)

Senior Solo (Second & Third Sections):
1. Christina Kearley (LGB Brass)
2. Hannah Labus (Uckfield Concert)
3. Adam Kearley (LGB Brass)