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Test match success for Test Valley Brass

Test Valley Brass certainly enjoyed their recent competitive visit to the Basingstoke Music & Arts Festival.

Test Valley Brass
 

The Test Valley Brass family of bands is celebrating successes at the recent Basingstoke Music & Arts Festival.

All five bands

The organisation entered all five of its bands into four different classes, with each having to perform a 15 minute programme of music to the packed audience at Queen Mary's College.

First up were the young players of Frosty's and the Youth Band, who both confidently took to the stage performing in the 16 years and under, and 18 years & under, Wind & Brass Bands classes respectively.

First prizes

Both walked away with fine first prizes, with Frosty's proudly claiming the BMF Salver and the Youth Band, the Hannington Silver Cup.

Meanwhile, the Senior Academy, excelled themselves to claim first place, on what was their first ever contest stage performance in the Open Music Group Class to win the Modern Music Cup.

The Basingstoke event also marked their last time the Senior Band performed under the baton of outgoing Musical Director Keith Thomasson4BR

Final appearance

Finally, Test Valley Senior Band and the smaller 10 Piece ensemble 'Hooters & Tooters' were ranged against each other in the Open Brass and Wind Bands Class, with the experienced Seniors triumphing to take the Festival Brass Cup just ahead of ‘Hooters & Tooters’.

The Basingstoke event also marked their last time the Senior Band performed under the baton of outgoing Musical Director Keith Thomasson.

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Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

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