The 57th annual Wessex Brass Band Association Open Contest was held on a cold bright sun shining day, at the Life-Centre in Bournemouth recently, where a new adjudication system and some top class brass band playing from the 13 competitors ensured that the audience was warmed by some great entertainment.

Rich form

The honour of being crowned Wessex champion once again went to Woodfalls, who retained their title after continuing on their rich vein of 2103 contesting form.

Under the direction of Phil Randell they gave a high class reprise of ‘From Distant Memories’ which saw them claim a historic sixth place at the recent National Finals in London, to take away the £175 first prize as well as the separate ‘Best March’ category with a robust run through TJ Powell’s appropriately named, ‘The Contestor.’

They also celebrated by claiming the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award won by their principal Eb Bass player, as well as awards for ‘Best Euphonium’ and ‘Best Bass Section’.

Pushed hard

They were pushed hard for the title however by an inspired Michelmersh Silver, directed by Melvin White. They produced an excellent performance of another major Gregson work, ‘Dances & Arias’ to come runner-up, as well as take the prizes for ‘Best Percussion’ and ‘Best Trombones’, with the MD also claiming the ‘Best Conductor’ trophy.

The final podium slot was taken by a fine performance of ‘Tallis Variations’ from Otterbourne Brass conducted by Gareth Pritchard, which was aided by a ‘Best Cornet’ contribution from their principal cornet, which enabled them to beat Hyde’s well delivered rendition of ‘Pageantry’ under Helen Kinder.

New adjudication system

For the first time this year, the contest organisers decided to copy the system of adjudication pioneered in New Zealand, as Duncan Beckley provided oral as well as written remarks to accompany each performance.

Wessex BBA Secretary Lesley Knapton later told 4BR that they were encouraged by the response the new initiative had received from the competing bands.

"It's a first for this contest and we are delighted with the results.

Each band received a CD of their performance, as well as one with Duncan’s remarks spoken over the top. In addition the remarks were transcribed in writing."

Excellent response

Lesley added: "We have received an excellent response and our thanks go to the helpers, supporters and families who had helped to make the 2013 event a success, and especially to Dr Chris Davis and Ben Bennett of Pro-Live Ltd, who put the new adjudication system in place."

Innovative approach

Duncan Beckley was also delighted that the system had been employed with such success.

“I always bring along a scribe to provide my written remarks, but this was further enhanced with this innovative approach. I believe it will help all the bands and I hope it can be used by other forward looking contest organisers in the future.”

Outstanding winner

Duncan was also delighted with the quality of performances he heard on the day. “There was an outstanding performance from the winners and one that wasn’t that far behind from the runners-up up either.

The overall standard was very good on well chosen repertoire, although one or two bands perhaps didn’t quite play to the form they would have liked.”

Legends

Fifth placed Ocean Brass returned home after taking the award as the highest placed Second Section band thanks to their performance of 'California Legends', which beat a rather misfiring Sandhurst Silver in sixth.

Just behind, a delighted A.W. Parker (Drybrook) took the award for the ‘Best March’ in the Second, Third and Fourth Section category with Kenneth J Alford’s 'Army of the Nile'.

Joyful
Andover Town were the joyful winners of the Third Section honours with a well worked performance of 'The Dark Side of the Moon', whilst the impressive Corsham delivered a fine performance of 'Metropolis' to take the Fourth Section award.

Each band received a CD of their performance, as well as one with Duncan’s remarks spoken over the top. In addition the remarks were transcribed in writingContest Secretary, Lesley Knapton

Results:
Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley
Test Piece: Own Choice

1. Woodfalls (Phil Randell)
2. Michelmersh Silver (Melvin White)
3. Otterbourne Brass (Gareth Pritchard)
4. Hyde Band (Helen Kinder)
5. Ocean Brass (J. Lush-Camps)
6. Sandhurst Silver (Ian McElliott)
7. A.W. Parker (Drybrook) (Josh Ruck)
8. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)
9. Shrewton Silver (Michael Dunford)
10. Andover Town (Steve Large)
11. Corsham (Colin Hogg)
12. Swindon Brass (Francis Cowley)
13. New Forest Brass (Ian Luxford)

March:
1. Woodfalls
2. Michelmersh Silver
3. A.W.Packer (Drybrook)
4. Sandhurst Silver
5. Ocean Brass
6. Shrewton Silver
7. Swindon Brass

(Seven bands competed)

Best Instrumentalist: Eb Bass player — Woodfalls
Best Euphonium: Woodfalls
Best Cornet: Otterborne Brass
Best Bass Section: Woodfalls
Best Percussion Section: Michelmersh Silver
Best Trombone Section: Michelmersh Silver
Best Conductor: Melvin White (Michelmersh Silver)