Camborne Town claimed the South West Brass Band Association Championships honours at the Riviera Centre in Torquay last weekend with a classy rendition of 'Paganini Variations' under the direction of MD, Kevin MacKenzie.
Paganini
12 bands took to the stage in the Open Section, with the Cornish Band coming out on top ahead of rivals Aldbourne, who performed 'Music of the Spheres', with Sidmouth Town's 'The Saga of Haakon the Good' beating off top flight rivals Lydbrook to claim third. It was Camborne's first victory at the event since 2012.
Musical Director Kevin Mackenzie told 4BR: "'Paganini Variations' will always remain a real favourite with players and audiences alike. It's still a very good test even though written some 25 years ago.
On the day, I felt our performance was outstanding — the result of a lot of hard work. I really wanted the band to finish their contesting year with a solid performance and they did just that."
Soundhouse success
In the Second Section there was a first victory at the event at Second Section level for Soundhouse Brass led by Lee Clayson as their well worked rendition of 'Purcell Variations' repelled the keen challenge of Shrewton Silver, with Camborne Junior Contesting in third.
Earlier in the day, St Stythians reclaimed the Third Section title they last won in 2015 under James Burns, ahead of South Molton Town and Porthleven Town, whilst Regional champion Hatherleigh Silver won the Fourth Section ahead of Saltash Town and Nailsworth Silver.
There were also highly encouraging performances ot note in the Youth and Training Sections with excellent performances from each competing band — headed by St Dennis Youth and Plymouth Soundhouse Youth respectively.
On the day, I felt our performance was outstanding — the result of a lot of hard work. I really wanted the band to finish their contesting year with a solid performance and they did just thatMusical Director Kevin Mackenzie
Results:
Open Section:
Adjudicators: Steve Pritchard-Jones, Graham Jones
1. Camborne Town (Kevin MacKenzie)
2. Aldbourne (David Johnson)
3. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
4. Lydbrook (Glyn Williams)
5. Chalford (Steve Tubb)
6. Roche Brass (Darren Hendy)
7. South West Comms (Chris Spreadbury)
8. Michelmersh Silver (Melvin White)
9. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)
10. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs)
11. AW Parker (Drybrook) (Joshua Ruck)
12. St Austell (Steve Sykes)
Second Section:
Adjudicators: Steve Pritchard-Jones, Graham Jones
1. Soundhouse Brass (Lee Clayson)
2. Shrewton Silver (Michael Dunford)
3. Camborne Junior Contesting (Alan Pope)
4. Gillingham Imperial (Jim Bennett)
Third Section:
Adjudicators: Steve Pritchard-Jones, Graham Jones
1. St Stythians (James Burns)
2. South Molton Town (Gilbert Taylor)
3. Porthleven Town (Tom Bassett)
4. Gillingham Imperial (Jim Bennett)
5. Bideford Town (Mrk Durham)
6. Bratton Silver (Simon Carr)
Fourth Section:
Adjudicators: Steve Pritchard-Jones, Graham Jones
1. Hatherleigh Silver (Matt Green)
2. Saltash Town (Robert Julian)
3. Nailsworth Silver (Steve Ruck)
4. Exeter Railway (Graham Eaton)
5. Bideford Town (Mark Durham)
6. Wincanton Silver (Joanne Sykes)
7. Okehampton Excelsior Silver (Robert Julian)
8. Tiverton Town (John Fitton)
9. Camelford Town (Stephen Wagstaff)
Youth Section:
Adjudicators: Steve Pritchard-Jones, Graham Jones
1. St Dennis Youth (Rachael Sargent)
2. St Austell Youth (Anna Minear)
Training Section:
Adjudicators: Steve Pritchard-Jones, Graham Jones
1. Plymouth Soundhouse Youth (Gary Thompson)
2. Bratton Silver Training (Mark Gundry)
3. Appledore Training (Neil Hamilton)
4. Saltash Town Training (Lauren Rossiter-Thomas)
