Camborne made it four wins in a row at the SWBBA Open Contest in Torquay on the weekend, as they led a fine return of South West competitive banding following the two year Covid-19 break.

It may have been damp and a little dismal outside the Riviera Centre, but inside there was a warm and welcoming atmosphere with plenty of fine own-choice test-piece playing on show from the 22 bands for both audiences and adjudicators alike to enjoy.

Camborne win

It was led by the defending Open Section champion under MD Kevin Mackenzie with a high quality rendition of Thierry Deleruyelle's 'Fraternity' to take the honours once again.

Chalford's vibrant account of 'Symphony No.3' by Swiss composer Etienne Crausaz came runner-up and took the 'Best First Section' prize, with St Austell's solid take on 'Coventry Variations' by Bram Tovey in third.

The remaining top-six places in a contest where there were no 'repeat' performances went to Glastonbury Brass ('London Overture'), Sherborne Town ('Brass Metamorphosis') and Roche Brass ('Tallis Variations')

Chuffed

Camborne certainly showed that they will be a band to watch out for when the 2023 Regional Championships return here in a few months time, led by their excellent 'Best Cornet' award winner, Lee Wylde

Speaking about their victory on their Facebook page after the contest, the band said: "We are absolutely chuffed. It was a great piece to perform and our soloists were so awesome too. Lee Wylde was amazing!"

Porthleven stamina

Unfortunately there was just the one entrant in the Second Section, although Porthleven Town led by Tom Bassatt took the opportunity to test their stamina levels by playing Paul Lovatt-Cooper's 'Fire in the Blood' for a second time, after performing it to win the Third Section a little earlier in the day.

Their excellent solo euphonium was presented with the 'Best Instrumentalist' award, whilst their 'Best Horn Section' also shone in the Third Section victory

There they managed to pip Bratton Silver who played 'The Lost Village of Umber', the piece that was written for them by composer Christopher Bond, with Bideford's energised 'Music for a Festival' coming third.

Bideford test

Bideford was also another band that tested themselves twice on the day, with Mark Durham certainly asking a great deal of his well-drilled band. They showed their quality though with their first of two performances of the Philip Sparke work giving them victory in the Fourth Section, and their tuba team the 'Best Bass Section' award.

Saltash Town pushed them all the way with a fine take on 'Saint-Saens Variations', with Indian Queen's in third with their rendition of Christopher Bond's clever 'Neverland'.

There was also much to enjoy from the other bands with St Breward ('A Saddleworth Festival') who took the 'Best Ungraded Band' award, Wincanton ('A Haslemere Suite'), St Stythians ('Labour and Love') and Okehampton Excelsior ('Anglian Dances') all providing the judges with plenty of well-rehearsed playing to compare and contrast.

Training lift

The Training Band Section also saw a highly encouraging performance set from Soundhouse Training led by Gary Thompson with super playing from 'The Sound of Music', a bit of 'Uptown Funk' and some traditional hymn tune playing of 'Angelus'.

The band later said: "Our Training/Academy Band enjoyed their day out and were pleased with their performance on the day and positive comments received as the only entrant in their section. It is great to see our young players developing into confident and stylish musicians."

Hard work

Speaking about the event, SWBBA Chairman Ray Kingdon told 4BR: "After the committee's extremely hard work in getting the contest off the ground again, we were delighted at the outcome and thank all the bands who entered and congratulate all the bands and individuals who went home with trophies.

We had a very entertaining day and listened to some cracking performances."

They added: "Our grateful thanks go to the adjudicators, Nicholas Garman, Paul Norley and trainee adjudicator Stephanie Binns, to the staff at the Riviera Centre and of course to our stalwart team of stewards who worked tirelessly throughout the day.

we were delighted at the outcome and thank all the bands who entered and congratulate all the bands and individuals who went home with trophiesSWBBA

Results:
Open Section:

Adjudicators: Paul Norley & Nicholas Garman

1. Camborne (Kevin MacKenzie)
2. Chalford (Steve Tubb)
3. St Austell (Stuart Chappell)
4. Glastonbury Brass (David Hayward)
5. Sherborne Town (Jonathan Lush-Camps)
6. Roche Brass (Keith Maxwell)
7. Lanner & District (Aaron Harvey)
8. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
9. Soundhouse Brass (Lee Clayson)

Highest Placed First Section Band: Chalford
Best Cornet Player: Camborne

Second Section:

Adjudicator: Paul Norley

1. Porthleven Town (Tom Bassatt)

Best Instrumentalist: Solo Euphonium

Third Section:

Adjudicator: Paul Norley

1. Porthleven Town (Tom Bassett)
2. Bratton Silver (David Hayward)
3. Bideford Town (Mark Durham)
4. Verwood Town (Kevin Smith)

Best Horn Section: Porthleven Town

Fourth Section:

Adjudicators: Nicholas Garman & Stephanie Binns

1. Bideford Town (Mark Durham)
2. Saltash Town (Neil Ellis)
3. Indian Queens (Ben Martin)
4. St Breward Silver (Tom Howard)
5. Wincanton Silver (James White)
6. St Stythians Silver (James Burns)
7. Okehampton Silver (Paul Pennicotte-Henrie)

Highest Ungraded Band: St Breward Silver
Best Bass Section: Bideford Town

Training Band Section:

Adjudicators: Nicholas Garman, Stephanie Binns & Paul Norley

1. Soundhouse Training Band
Best Instrumentalist: Solo Cornet