A highly successful 67th South West Brass Band Association Championships were held at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay on the weekend, where a fine turnout of 26 bands competed for the honour of being crowned 2013 SWBBA Champions in six sections.
Adjudicators, Jim Davies and Derek Renshaw later stated that they had enjoyed what they termed, ‘an excellent day of quality music making, and performances in all sections of overall high standard’, in what was yet another very well run event by contest controller Brian Elliott and his team.
Aldbourne victorious
There was a fine array of own choice test piece selections on show in the Open Section, where Aldbourne carried on their excellent contesting form by taking the title of SWBBA Championship Band 2013 under the baton of David Johnson.
Their performance of ‘Year of the Dragon’ also saw principal cornet Richard Hughes take the ‘Best Cornet’ award for his fine personal contribution.
Camborne’s lyrical rendition of ‘On Alderley Edge’ saw them claim second, whilst there was delight for Lanner & District as the Cheltenham National Finalists ended third thanks to an excellent performance of ‘Terra Australis’ to enable them to also become First Section SWBBA champions for the year.
Music from the pens of Edward Gregson, George Lloyd, Philip Harper and Herbert Howells was performed in a contest that showed that the growing competitiveness and ambition of the region’s bands.
Three part welcome
There was a warm welcome for Sue Richards and Kenneth Downie, the composer of the Second Section set work, ‘Three Part Invention’, as he presented the winner’s trophy to Sidmouth Town directed by Adrian Harvey, with the band’s flugel player Esther Harbour winning the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award.
The remaining podium places in a closely fought contest went to City of Bristol conducted by Kevin Robbins with Weston Brass directed by Tony Osborne in third.
Stern test
Gilbert Vinter’s descriptive ‘Entertainment’s suite provided a stern test in the Third Section, as Heyl Town, conducted by Shaun Marsden (and helped by their prize winning horn section) took the honours ahead of Launceston Town and St Stythians.
Excellent
In the Fourth Section there was victory for Porthleven Town directed by Tom Bassett as they repelled the strong challenge of South Molton Town and Pendeen Silver on the set work, ‘Partita’ by Edward Gregson – thanks in no small part to the prize winning contribution of their bass section.
The excellent ongoing development of talented young players in the area was also on display with Mount Charles Youth claiming a Gold Award in the Youth Section, whilst Saltash Town did the same in the Training Section.
A delighted Brian Elliott later told 4BR: "Once again Torquay proved to be a popular venue, which reflected in the high overall standard of music making and everybody enjoying the competitive but friendly atmosphere for which these Championships are noted."
Once again Torquay proved to be a popular venue, which reflected in the high overall standard of music making and everybody enjoying the competitive but friendly atmosphere for which these Championships are notedBrian Elliott
Open Section:
Own Choice:
1. Aldbourne (David Johnson)
2. Camborne Town (Kevin Mackenzie)
3. Lanner & District Silver (Stuart Chappell)
4. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)
5. St Dennis (Darren Hawken)
6. Michelmersh Silver (Melvin White)
7. Helston Town (Derek Johnston)
8. Shrewton Silver (Michael Dunford)
9. Lympstone South West Telecoms (Charles Fleming)
10. Hyde (Helen Kinder)
Highest Placed First Section Band: Lanner & District Silver
Best Cornet Player: Richard Hughes (Aldbourne)
Second Section:
Test Piece: ‘Three Part Invention’ (Kenneth Downie)
1. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
2. City of Bristol Brass (Kevin Robbins)
3. Weston Brass (Tony Osborne)
Best Instrumentalist: Esther Harbour (flugel) — Sidmouth Town
Third Section:
Test Piece: ‘Entertainments’ (Gilbert Vinter)
1. Heyl Town (Shaun Marsden)
2. Launceston Town (Jeremy Taylor)
3. St Stythians (James Burns)
Best Horn Section: Heyl Town
Fourth Section:
Test Piece: ‘Partita’ (Edward Gregson)
1. Porthleven Town (Tom Bassett)
2. South Molton Town (Gil Taylor)
3. Pendeen Silver (Darren Jenkin)
4. Tiverton Town (David Boorer)
5. Okehampton Excelsior Silver (Richard Beardon)
6. Totnes (Alan Wilmott)
Best Set of Basses: Porthleven Town
Youth Section:
Own Choice
Gold Award: Mount Charles Youth (Jane Whitehead) (Malvern Suite/Philip Sparke)
Silver Award: Soundhouse Youth Academy (Emma Heard) (Petit Suite de Ballet/EricBall)
Best Instrumentalist: Mount Charles Youth (solo cornet)
Training Section:
Own Choice
Gold Award: Saltash Training (Simon Manley)
Gold Award: Launceston Training (Ann Brown)
Best Instrumentalist: Saltash Juniors (percussion)
