*
banner

SWBBA Torquay Contest

Details announced of the South West BB Association Contest in Torquay in November.

SWBBA
 

The 62nd South West Brass Band Association Annual Championships are due to take place at the Riviera Centre in Torquay on Staurday 15th November.

The organisers have released the following details:

1. Entry to the Championships is OPEN to member and non-member bands with 2008 national grading being recognised.

Test-Pieces will be as follows:-

a) Open Section (Championship & First) “Own Choice”
b) Second Section “Variations on Laudate Dominum” (Edward Gregson)
c) Third Section “Episodes for Brass” (Gareth Churcher)
d) Fourth Section “Anglian Dances” (Alan Fernie)
e) Youth Section “English Folksong Suite” (Vaughan Williams)
f) Training Band Section (* see para 7) Own Choice of any music not exceeding 8 minutes preceded by Own Choice March

All Test Pieces available from Trevada Music, Camborne (tel 01209 714353)

2. Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard-Jones

3. The Contest will be administered under the guidance of the Rules of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain (by kind permission of Kapitol Promotions). With reference to bands being allowed to additionally compete one section above their national grading, this will depend on the number of entries.

Bands entering the Contest must complete the attached Official Entry Form and return it together with the entry fee(s) to the Association’s Secretary by no later than first post on Saturday 20th September 2008organisers

4. All competing players (except Youth/Training Band sections) must be registered with The British Brass Band Registry (by kind permission of British Federation of Brass Bands).

5. Registration:
Registration Cards will be presented at the registration point on the day of the Contest and be verified against a Registry computer print-out prepared by the Registry. Only registered players named on the print-out will be permitted to play (exception para 8).

It will be the responsibility of Band Secretaries to ensure that Registration Cards are complete in every detail, including franking for the current year, up-to-date signature of the player and a valid effective date. Also that the latest Registry print-out supplied to individual competing bands is correct.

Youth/Training Band Registration:
Bands will be required to submit to the Contest Secretary a list of players and dates of birth by no later than 8th November 2008 (ie 7 days prior to the Contest).

The number of registered players permitted to play is 25 brass instrumentalists plus percussion as required by the band. (Youth and Training Bands refer to paragraphs 6 and 7)

6. Youth Section Bands:
The upper age limit for Youth players is 19 years and under; the total number of players allowed to play is 35 including percussionists; and may include a maximum of two (2) senior instrumentalists playing bass or bass trombone.

7. Training Bands Section:
This Section is for Association bands only, with players not competing in any other Section; there will be no upper age limit; the total number of players allowed to play is 35 including percussionists; and may include a maximum of two (2) senior instrumentalists playing bass or bass trombone

8. “One Day Transfers”
will be permitted to a maximum of two (2) players on prior application, in writing on band letterhead, to the Secretary. The “transferred” player(s) must be from the same graded section or below of that competing band (First section bands may draw from a Championship band); must not be competing with any band playing in these Championships; must be in possession of a current registration card; and produce a letter of authority from the parent band

9. Entry
Fee for member bands is £60.00p and for non-member bands £75.00p (both to include 30 bandperson’s tickets). Where a Band elects to enter two or more sections (para 3 above), a nominal entry fee of £15.00p for each additional section entered will be payable.

Withdrawal from the Band’s recognised section automatically disqualifies the Band from playing in the selected higher sections.

Entry fees are not refundable.

10. Draw for Order of Play
for all Sections will take place on the day.

11. The Championships
will commence at 10.00am and conclude mid-evening.

12. Bands will assemble and register in The Arena, thereby keeping the whole event on one level.

13. Coach Parking:
No special provision will be made for Coach Parking, as it is felt adequate parking is available in the vicinity of the Riviera Centre.

Please note that coaches are not permitted to park at the Riviera Centre under any circumstances and will only be allowed entry to set-down and pick-up in the Riviera Centre car park — this will be rigidly enforced on the day by NCP marshals. Please advise your Coach Operator of these provisions when booking your coach.

14. Bands entering the Contest must complete the attached Official Entry Form and return it together with the entry fee(s) to the Association’s Secretary by no later than first post on Saturday 20th September 2008.

No late entries will be accepted.

Enquiries — Brian Elliott, Secretary SWBBA, 1 Woodland Court, Woodland Road, Ivybridge, Devon PL21 9HG (telephone 01752 892056)( brian@swbba.fsnet.co.uk).

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


4BR Podcast

4BR Review — Episode 22

October 2 • A preview of the 2026 Championship Section National Final at the Royal Albert Hall and the issues that arise....


NYBBGB

NYBBGB launches Young Composer competition

October 2 • Young composers aged 30 and under are being asked to create a new work for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.


James Shepherd

New award to be presented at Royal Albert Hall

October 2 • A wonderful new award in memory of one of the greatest ever cornet players will be made at the Royal Albert Hall this weekend.


Black Dyke Band

Tributes to Hammonds duo at Black Dyke

October 2 • The Black Dyke Band has paid tribute to Jon and Tim Hammond as they prepare to take their final contest bow with the Queensbury Band this weekend.


Regent Hall Concerts - Consort Brass Quintet

Friday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - BoneVoyage Trombone Quartet

Friday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Foden's Band

Friday 2 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Nobody Does It Better - The Music of James Bond.

Saturday 3 October • St Andrew's Church, Church Street, Rugby CV21 3PT


Regent Hall Concerts - The Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Sunday 4 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Olney Brass

September 30 • We are a friendly and committed THIRD SECTION band looking for:. . - CORNETS (Front & Back Row). - SOLO HORN. . Engagements and concerts in the Olney/Milton Keynes area.. Rehearsals in Milton Keynes MK15 (5 mins from J14 of M1) on Tuesdays 7.45-9.45pm.


Ashington Colliery Band

September 30 • Tenor Trombone: We're a friendly, ambitious Second Section band based in South East Northumberland just north of Blyth. We rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:30-21:30, and transport can be provided depending on location.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

September 28 • . Our welcoming non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has openings for: . Percussion, kit and tuned: a lovely pair of timps awaits you!.


Jonathan Corry

Ph.D, M.Mus, B.Mus (hons)
Conductor, adjudicator, teacher.


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd