The annual Wessex Brass Band Association 'Open' Contest was recently held at the Life-Centre in Bournemouth.

11 bands took part, topped by a fine performance of 'Of Men and Mountains' which saw Verwood Concert Brass under Kevin Smith retain their title, be crowned Wessex Champions and draw rich praise from adjudicator John Winterflood. Second place in the top section category went to Bournemouth Concert Brass with their rendition of 'Year of the Dragon'.

Good end of year

Victory rounded of a good end to the year for the band after their success at the SWBBA contest in Torquay, where they also played Edward Gregson's masterful work.

MD Kevin Smith was presented with The South Wilts Cup for his fine reading and interpretation of the score, whilst the Best Instrumentalist' prize went to principal cornet Elaine Close and the tuba section took the 'Best Basses' award. The 'Best Euphonium' accolade went to Graham Jones of Otterborne Brass.

In the separate 'March' discipline, Hyde Band took the honours with Charles Anderson's famous 'ORB', whilst the lower section was won by Gosport Solent Brass playing 'Bramwyn' by John Carr. The Maurice Woods Trophy was won by Sonja Charters of Otterborne Brass, whilst the 'Best Trombone Section' was won by Bournemouth Concert Brass and the 'Best Percussion' award went to Hyde Band.

Best First Section

It was Otterborne Brass directed by Melvin White that came second overall and won the 'Best First Section' prize with their strong performance of 'The Saga of Haakon the Good', whilst Hyde came second with their rendition of 'Variations on a Ninth' with Michelmersh Silver in third playing 'The Year of the Dragon'

A jubilant Andover Town Band returned home celebrating their victory in the Second Section with a well interpreted performance under Steve Large of 'Essay'. New Forest Brass under Ian Luxford was second with 'Lake of the Moon'.

Impressive

The impressive Verwood Town delivered a fine rendition of 'Saint-Saens Variations' conducted by Emma Button to take the Fourth Section honours with Gosport Solent Brass in second with 'Four Little Maids'.

This new Unregistered Section was won in wonderful fashion by Christchurch & Highcliffe Brass who played 'Divertimento' by Bryan Kelly.

Thanks

The contest organisers told 4BR: "We would like to thank all the bands who entered and congratulate all the prize winners and winning instrumentalists. Thanks also go to the helpers, supporters and families who made this a great success."

Victory rounded of a good end to the year for the band after their success at the SWBBA contest in Torquay, where they also played Edward Gregson's masterful work4BR

Results:

Own Choice Test Piece:

Adjudicator: John Winterflood

1. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)
2. Otterbourne (Melvin White)
3. Hyde (Jonathan Lush Camps)
4. Michelmersh Silver (Wayne Langdon)
5. Bournemouth Concert (N/K)
6. Andover Town (Steve Large)
7. Sherborne Town (N/K)
8. Verwood Town (Emma Button)
9. Gosport Solent (Colin Garner)
10. New Forest Brass (Ian Luxford)
11. Christchurch & Highcliffe (N/K)

March:

1. Hyde
2. Sherborne Town
3. Otterbourne