The annual Gloucestershire BBA own choice contest at the Larruperz Centre in Ross-on-Wye saw a great day of competition as a full house audience enjoyed performances of marches and test pieces from 20 competing bands.
Evenly matched
Forest of Dean Brass and Brunel Brass were evenly matched in Section A, with only a single point separating them overall.
They also shared all but one of the Special Awards presented on the day – the only one to elude them going the ‘Best Bass Section’ which was claimed by Fourth Section National champions Ebbw Valley.
They took the honours in Section C, whilst City of Bristol were the band that impressed adjudicator Steve Sykes in Section B. Stourport-on-Severn Band was placed the highest third section contenders.
Great to see
A spokesperson told 4BR: "It is always great to see our youth and training bands, and to witness their enjoyable contributions.
Lydbrook Training took a Gold award, with City of Bristol Learner and Lydney Training taking Silver awards."
They added: "The best instrumentalist award went to Lydney Training and City of Bristol had the most under players aged under 14, including the youngest player of the day who was just 8 years old.
Now that has to make a lot of us feel very old, but very confident that the brass band movement will continue to thrive for many more years to come.
Over all it was a great day with some fabulous performances. The GBBA would like to thank Steve Sykes for adjudicating all sections."
New admin roles
It was also announced that following the contest, David Harding and Mark Windsor have both formally stepped down from their positions as Secretary and Treasurer respectively, decisions that were announced at the last AGM.
Adrian Bodenham (Vice Chairman) has picked up Contest Secretary duties and Sharon Stratford has become Treasurer with Ian Ford in charge of trophies.
Karin Lythell is now Secretary, alongside her existing Gloucestershire Music Liaison role.
For all general queries, please contact Karin by emailing karin@gbba-online.org.uk
A spokesperson added: "The new committee is already busy preparing for the Entertainments Contest on Sunday February 2nd 2014, entry forms for which can be downloaded from the GBBA website.
The GBBA would like to thank them both for their hard work."
It is always great to see our youth and training bands, and to witness their enjoyable contributionsGBBA spokepserson
Results:
Section A — Championship & First Section:
Adjudicator: Steve Sykes
Test Piece:
1. Brunel Brass — 88pts
2. Forest of Dean Brass — 87pts
March:
1. Forest of Dean Brass — 91pts
2. Brunel Brass — 89pts
Best Instrumentalist: Soprano (Brunel Brass)
Section B — Second & Third Section:
Test Piece:
1. City of Bristol — 88pts
2. Ebbw Valley Brass — 87pts
3. AW Parker (Drybrook) — 86pts
4. Tilbury — 84pts
5. Cinderford — 82pts
6. Bream Silver — 81pts
7. Stouport on Severn — 80pts
8. Chinnor Silver — 79pts
9. Shipston Town — 78pts
10. Pillowell Silver — 77pts
March:
1. City of Bristol — 89pts
3. AW Parker (Drybrook) — 88pts
2. Ebbw Valley Brass — 86pts
6. Bream Silver — 85pts
9. Shipston Town — 82pts
5. Cinderford — 81pts
4. Tilbury — 80pts
7. Stouport on Severn — 79pts
8. Chinnor Silver — 78pts
10. Pillowell Silver — 77pts
Best Instrumentalist: Soprano (City of Bristol)
Highest Placed Third Section Band: Stourport-on-Severn
Section C — Fourth Section:
Test Piece Result:
1. Ebbw Valley Brass — 89pts
2. Usk — 85pts
3. Coleshill Town — 81pts
4. Lydney Town — 80pts
5. Malvern Hills District – 79pts
March Result:
1. Ebbw Valley Brass — 89pts
2. Usk — 85pts
3. Lydney Town — 81pts
4. Coleshill Town — 80pts
5. Malvern Hill District — 79pts
Best Instrumentalist: Principal Cornet — Usk
Best Trombone Section: Ebbw Valley Brass
Section D — Youth, Training & Un-registered:
Lydbrook Training — Gold Award
City of Bristol Learner — Silver Award
Lydney Training — Silver Award
Best Instrumentalist: Rory Gordon (principal cornet) — Lydney Training
Most Players Under 14 Years of Age: City of Bristol Learner Band
Youngest Player: Lily Tovey (aged 8) City of Bristol Learner Band
Special Awards: All Sections
Best Horn Section: Brunel Brass
Best Bass Section: Ebbw Valley Brass
Best Percussion: Forest of Dean Brass
Best Cornet Player: Craig Wintle (principal cornet) — Forest of Dean Brass
Best Flugel: Brunel Brass
Best Euphonium: Brunel Brass
Best Instrumentalist of the Day: Craig Wintle (principal cornet) — Forest of Dean Brass
