There was yet another fine cross channel battle on show at the scaba Autumn Contest held at The Hawth Theatre, Crawley on the weekend, with a wide variety of ambitious own choice selections on offer from the competing bands.

David Horsfield and Chris Davis had plenty to consider, compare and contrast in the box in each of the four sections, from blockbusters to old classics.

Belgian win

One of Belgium’s rising top flight outfits, Brass Band Zele, took the Championship Section honours with a fine performance of ‘Red Priest’ conducted by Bart van der Streickt. The band’s basses took their section award, with Imanuel van Daele picking up the ‘Best Euphonium’ prize.

It proved good enough to repel the challenge of a trio of London based rivals, with Wantage Silver A coming runner-up thanks to their well worked rendition of ‘Variations on an Enigma’, featuring an outstanding ‘Best Instrumentalist’ contribution from trombonist Michael Wallbridge and from their 'Best Percussion' section.

East London Brass was third, playing ‘A Tale As Yet Untold’, with recently crowned Wychavon champion Aveley & Newham in fourth.

Tallis success for Thundersley

The successful partnership between Thundersley Brass and MD John Ward continued in the First Section, where a finely structured performance of ‘Tallis Variations’, saw them take the title.

It was enhanced by the excellent individual contributions from ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Rhys Cave on flugel and Jeffrey Keir on euphonium, not forgetting the support provided by their ‘best’ bass section.

Fulham Brass pushed them all the way to the finishing line with their performance of ‘Royal Parks’, with Tilbury in third with their rendition of ‘Diversions — Variations on a Swiss Folk Song’.

The conductor’s prize was won by Fairlop’s MD, Kevin Jordan.

Hangleton inspired by Arkansas

There was certainly a wide geographical selection of music to enjoy in the Second Section, where Hangleton, directed by Richard Baker took the honours with their enjoyable performance of ‘Arkansas’.

The MD also won the Conductor's Prize, with the band picking up the Margaret Mortimer Prize as the highest placed SCABA member band.

Meanwhile, second placed Cold Ash Brass was inspired by ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’, with Regent Community Brass opting for the tragic Cornish seafaring tale of ‘Penlee’, which featured the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ contribution of principal cornet Gillian Park and their ‘Best Percussion’ section.

Fourth placed Shanklin Town’s performance of ‘Olympus’ saw their horn section and solo horn player, Charlotte Lewis pick up well deserved prizes.

Brighton’s prize winning Dimensions:

Brighton & Hove City Brass certainly showed their quality in winning the Third Section under Matthew Hackett, thanks to a fine performance of ‘Dimensions’, which was enhanced by ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Graeme Cornish on cornet and section awards to basses, percussion and back row cornets. The MD also picked up the conductor’s prize.

Vectis Brass came second with a well worked rendition of ‘A Malvern Suite’ with Charles Church Camberley in third playing ‘The Journeyman’.

V for Vectis victory

There was plenty of great music making to enjoy from the twin youth entrants, with Vectis Youth Brass conducted by Mary Teague taking the honours thanks to their excellent performance of ‘A Northumberland Suite’

Shanklin Town Youth Brass pushed them all the way with their rendition of ‘Stantonbury Festival’, helped by another outstanding ‘Best Instrumentalist’ contribution from Charlotte Lewis on horn.

David Horsfield and Chris Davis had plenty to consider, compare and contrast in the box in each of the four sections, from blockbusters to old classics4BR

Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicator: David Horsfield

1. Brass Band Zele (Bart van der Streickt)
2. Wantage Silver ‘A’ (Philip Bailey)
3. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)
4. Aveley & Newham (Melvin White)
5. Ipswich & Norwich Co-op (Ian Johnson)
6. Egham (Gareth Green)
7. Medway (Melvin White)

Best Instrumentalist: Michael Wallbridge (trombone) — Wantage
Best Percussion: Wantage
Best Euphonium: Imanuel van Daele (Brass Band Zele)
Best Basses: Brass Band Zele
Conductor's prize: Bart van der Streickt (Brass Band Zele)

First Section:
Adjudicator: David Horsfield

1. Thundersley Brass (John Ward)
2. Fulham (Chris Augustine)
3. Tilbury (Andrew Austin)
4. Fairlop Brass (Kevin Jordan)
5. Welwyn Garden City (John Campbell)
6. Horsham Borough (Andy Kershaw)
7. Yiewsley & West Drayton (Chris Cole)

Best Instrumentalist: Rhys Cave (flugel) — Thundersley
Best Euphonium: Jeffrey Keir — Thundersley
Best Basses: Thundersley
Conductor's Prize: Kevin Jordan, Fairlop

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Chris Davis

1. Hangleton (Richard Baker)
2. Cold Ash Brass (Jemma Evans)
3. Regent Community Brass (Alan Duguid)
4. Shanklin Town (Malcolm Lewis)
5. Snowdown Colliery Welfare (Christer Aberg)
6. Crystal Palace (Michael Gray)
7. Medway Concert Brass (John Campbell)

Best Instrumentalist: Gillian Park (Cornet) — Regent Community Brass
Best Horn Section: Shanklin Town
Best Solo Horn: Charlotte Lewis — Shanklin Town
Best Percussion: Regent Community Brass
Conductor's Prize: Richard Baker (Hangleton)
Highest placed SCABA Member Band (Margaret Mortimer Trophy): Hangleton

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Chris Davis

1. Brighton & Hove City Brass (Matthew Hackett)
2. Vectis Brass (Mary Teague)
3. Charles Church Camberley (Robert Cherry)

Best Instrumentalist: Graeme Cornish (cornet) — Brighton & Hove
Best Back Row Cornets: Brighton & Hove City Brass
Best Basses, Brighton & Hove City Brass
Best Percussion: Brighton & Hove City Brass
Conductor's Prize: Matthew Hackett (Brighton & Hove City Brass)

Youth Section:
Adjudicator: Chris Davis

1. Vectis Youth Brass (Mary Teague)
2. Shanklin Town Youth Brass (Malcolm Lewis)

Best Instrumentalist: Charlotte Lewis (horn) — Shanklin Town Youth Brass
Conductor's Prize: Mary Teague (Vectis Youth Brass)