The ODBBA (Oxford) contest was recently held at Marlborough School in Woodstock when 31 bands performed in six sections on what proved to be a hugely successful event.

Criteria based judging

Most bands saw it as the ideal opportunity not just to impress adjudicator Steven Mead in the box (a very nice gazebo in this case) but to give their forthcoming Regional test pieces a run-out, with Steven using his 10 point adjudication system and remarks to give them a clearer understanding of how they had performed and what areas they may need to work on.

Steve later told 4BR: "It was an excellent day of contesting and it was good to be able to help the bands with the 'Adjudication Criteria System' as I believe it gave a much more detailed assessment of the performances and identified areas that they could work on ahead of the important Regional contests.

My thanks go to the organisers for the invitation and to the bands who all showed that they had worked hard on their preparation."

Brunel victory

In the Championship Section all four contenders opted for Kevin Norbury's 'Odyssey' — resulting in a confidence boosting victory for Brunel Brass ahead of their West of England challenge, as they pipped the Stevenage bound duo of East London Brass with Kidlington Concert Brass in third.

Meanwhile, there was another West of England success in the First Section, as AW Parker led by Joshua Ruck claimed the 'Brass Metamorphosis' honours ahead of Torquay rivals City of Bristol and Michelmersh Silver, whilst the Second Section silverware went to Horsham Borough ahead of Corsham Brass — both playing 'Ex Terra Lucem'.

Victory on the Alps

In the Third Section, Towcester Studio Brass claimed a keenly fought 'Napoleon on the Alps' victory over rivals Oxford Cherwell Brass and Cubbington Silver, whilst Gosport Solent Brass took the 'World Tour' Fourth Section title ahead of Bradwell Silver and Syston.

In an excellent Unregister Section it was Watership Brass playing 'Music from Kantara' that came out on top from Hook Norton Brass and Yarnton Band.

My thanks go to the organisers for the invitation and to the bands who all showed that they had worked hard on their preparationAdjudicator, Steven Mead

Results:

Championship Section:

1. Brunel Brass (Neil Skipper): 90.5
2. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill): 90.0
3. Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson): 84.5
4. Hyde Brass (Jonathan Lush-Camps): 82.5

First Section:

1. A W Parker (Drybrook) (Joshua Ruck): 89.5
2. City of Bristol (Paul McLaughlin): 83.5
3. Michelmersh Silver (Melvin White): 82.0
4. Otterbourne Brass (Melvin White): 79.0
5. Bedworth Brass (David Maplestone): 76.0
6. Oddfellows Brass (Rob Boulter): 73.0
7. Ware Brass (Craig Patterson): 71.0

Second Section:

1. Horsham Borough (David Hatton): 86.5
2. Corsham Brass (Colin Hogg): 78.5

Third Section:

1. Towcester Studio Brass (Neil Brownless): 92.5
2. Oxford Cherwell Brass (Terry Brotherhood): 89.0
3. Cubbington Silver (Mark Phillips): 83.0
4. Bath Spa (Martin Perry): 82.0
5. Olney Brass (Kevin Nicholls): 80.0
6. Tadley Concert Brass (Paul Chapman): 78.5
7. Corby Silver (Catherine Fountain): 74.5

Fourth Section:

1. Gosport Solent Brass (Colin Garner): 89.5
2. Bradwell Silver (Brian Keech): 81.0
3. Syston Band (Gary Smallwood): 80.0
4. Shipston Town (Howard Gibbs): 75.5
5. Malvern Hills District Brass (Chris Licence): 68.5
6. Abbey Brass (Abingdon) Brass (Rob Tompkins): 62.0
7. Witney Town (Steve Sizeland): 60.0

Unregistered Section:

1. Watership Brass (Mark Picken): 77.0
2. Hook Norton Brass (Shaun Humphreys): 74.0
3. Yarnton Band (Guy James): 66.0