Whakatane were hosts this year for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Provincial Contest, with solo events on Saturday and band events on Sunday.

With summer like conditions all weekend, and an encouraging number of entries for most events, a good weekend was had by all.

The Adjudicators for the weekend were Brent Large and Mason Elliot from Auckland, and Steve Clayton from Whakatane.

Solos

Trophies for the solo events were well shared around, with Gary Bilton winning both Championship solo events.

Band events

The Sunday events were very keenly competed in both the 'A' and 'B' sections.

The programmes were own choice, with the usual Hymn, test, solo and entertainment items put into a "package".

B Section

In the 'B' section, D grade band Gisborne Civic won the Hymn and Solo (Harry Smith) events while Hamilton Auxiliary won the test selection and entertainment section, with Hamilton Auxiliary named the overall winners.

The win was a fine start for Hamilton Auxiliary newly appointed MD, Blair Stanbridge.

A Section

In the 'A' section, competition was even keener with four very competent bands competing for the honours.

B Grade band, Castle Trust Hamilton Brass (Gary Bilton) won the Hymn, selection and entertainment, while Whakatane won the solo prize with the very talanted young horn player Mitchel Spence. Whakatane also won the public appeal award.

Happy Hamilton

Both Hamilton bands were very pleased with the results, as it was a huge task organising and transporting over eighty band members and supporters to this event.

For the Hamilton Auxiliary band, it was the first time for many of the players and conductor at this level of competition.

Accolades also extend to the members and supporters of the Whakatane Band for their hard work in putting the contest together — never easy when you also have to compete.