The annual Wessex Brass Band Association Open Contest took place on a cold but welcoming day at the Life-Centre in Bournemouth on the weekend.

Overall title success

A fine performance by A W Parker (Drybrook) of ‘Cloudcatcher Fells’ drew rich praise from adjudicator Paul Holland, as the nationally graded Second Section band secured overall victory under the baton of Josh Ruck.

The young MD also received the South Wiltshire Cup as ‘Best Conductor’ as he led the Gloucestershire outfit to victory over a number of higher ranked bands, including Championship Section Michelmersh Silver and third placed Bournemouth Concert Brass.

Drybrook’s bass section claimed the Arthur Spencer Trophy for their fine contribution, whilst the band also enjoyed the added bonus of claiming an additional £175 first prize as the ‘Best Second Section Band’ and giving the ‘Best March’ in the Second, Third and Fourth Section competitors, with their rendition of Kenneth J Alford’s 'Army of the Nile'.

Championship prize

Michelmersh, who performed ‘Paganini Varitations’ under Melvin White, had to be content with winning the ‘Championship Section’ award in addition to the overall ‘March’ prize for their rendition of Luc Vertommen’s, `Emblem of Unity'. The band’s flugel player Wayne Langden took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ prize, with the trombone section winning the Stan & Barry Willis Cup.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth Concert performed ‘English Heritage’ by George Lloyd, with their percussion team claiming the James Winter Trophy.

First Section awards

In the First Section placings, it was Verwood Concert Brass under Kevin Smith, who gave a strong performance of ‘Spectrum’ to secure the top prize from Hyde’s rendition of ‘Les Francs Juges’ directed by Jonathan Lush-Camps.

The ‘Best Euphonium’ and ‘Best Solo Cornet’ awards were claimed by Verwood’s Ian Harris and Susan Johnson respectively.

Second Section awards

With AW Parker (Drybrook) claiming swaths of silverware on the day, it was Poole Borough under Chris Davis playing 'Quintessence' who came runner-up in the Second Section, with Ocean Brass lead by Edward March who played ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ in third.

Third Section

Andover Town Band was the joyful winner of the Third Section award under MD Steve Large, with their well crafted performance of ‘Purcell Variations’.

Bath Spa, directed by Dave Walker, who played ‘Kaleidoscope’ came runner-up with the welcome Swiss visitors of Musikgesellschaft Muehlau in third, with a fine rendition of Gion Andrea Casanova’s ‘Antruras’.

The band also took the opportunity to entertain the audience with a lunch time mini concert.

Fourth Section

The impressive Corsham Band, with a fine performance of 'A Malvern Suite’ conducted by Colin Hogg took the Fourth Section award, closely followed by Verwood Town conducted by Emma Brunton playing Malcolm Arnold’s 'Little Suite for Brass’.

Thanks

The contest organisers were delighted by the great atmosphere and support shown on the day by competitors and audience alike.

Lesley Knapton told 4BR: “We would like to thank all the bands who entered the competition and to congratulate all the prize winners and winning instrumentalists.

Thanks also go to the volunteers, supporters and families who had helped to make the 2014 event a success, and to our most welcome Swiss visitors.

Lesley added: “This was also the second time the Wessex Brass Band Association had used the Audio Adjudication System which had been compiled by Dr Chris Davis and Ben Bennett of Pro-Live Ltd, and it proved to be very successful.”

The young MD also received the South Wiltshire Cup as ‘Best Conductor’ as he led the Gloucestershire outfit to victory over a number of higher ranked bands4BR

Results:
Adjudicator: Paul Holland BMus (Hons)

Own Choice:

1. A W Parker (Drybrook) (Josh Ruck)
2. Michelmersh Silver (Melvin White)
3. Bournemouth Concert (Nigel Taken)
4. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)
5. Hyde (Jonathan Lush-Camps)
6. Andover Town (Steve Large)
7. Poole Borough (Chris Davis)
8. Ocean Brass (Edward March)
9. Bath Spa (Dave Walker)
10. Musikgesellschaft Muehlau (Martin Aregger)
11. Corsham Band (Colin Hogg)
12. Swindon Brass (Francis Cowley)
13. Denmead Brass (Estelle Flood)
14. New Forest Brass (Ian Luxford)
15. Verwood Town (Emma Brunton)
16. Gillingham Imperial (Jim Bennett)
17. Downton (Paul Williams)
18. Chichester City (Tim Cooper)

March:
1. Michelmersh Silver
2. Verwood Concert Brass
3. A W Parker (Drybrook)
4. Poole Borough
5. Hyde
6. Musikgesellschaft Muehlau
7. Denmead Brass
8. Bath Spa
9. Gillingham Imperial
10. Ocean Brass
11. Verwood Town
12. Downton
13. Chichester City

Best Flugel: Wayne Langden (Michelmersh Silver)
Best Euphonium: Ian Harris (Verwood Concert)
Best Solo Cornet: Susan Johnson (Verwood Concert)
Best Bass Section: A W Parker (Drybrook)
Best Percussion Section: Bournemouth Concert
Best Trombone Section: Michelmersh Silver
Best Conductor: Josh Ruck — A W Parker (Drybrook)