The 62nd Annual Championships of the South West Brass Band Association were held at the Riviera International Conference Centre, Torquay on Saturday 15th November where 34 bands competed in 6 sections.
Winners
Milton Keynes Brass took the title of SWBBA Championship Band 2008 by winning the Open Section, but the undoubted highlight of the day was to listen and see the two Training Bands, ‘Double T Brass’ of Totnes and Lostwithiel Junior.
If only 20% of these enthusiastic and smiling youngsters (age range 5 years to 13 years) continue playing, then the future of brass banding is secure.
...a day of quality music making and the standard of performance was extremely high from the Training section right through to the Open sectionSteve Pritchard Jones
Popular
Once again Torquay proved to be a popular venue, which reflected in the high overall standard of music making and everybody enjoying the competitive but friendly atmosphere for which these Championships are noted.
Quality music making
Adjudicator, Steve Pritchard-Jones, said it was “…a day of quality music making and the standard of performance was extremely high from the Training section right through to the Open section. It was a very well organised event and an excellent venue”.
The large audience gave a most sincere and warm welcome to the Association’s President, Goff Richards, who presented the trophies to the winning bands, along with the Chairman‘s wife Gwen Kingdon.
Results:
Open Section:
Test-Piece "Own Choice”
1. Milton Keynes Brass (Paul Fensom)
2. St Austell Town (Gareth Pritchard)
3. Lympstone South West Telecoms (Charlie Fleming)
4. Portishead Town (Ian Dickinson)
5. Poole Borough (Phil Randell)
6. St Keverne (Brian Buckley)
7. Yeovil Town (Kevin Robbins)
8. Hyde (Ivan Hutchinson)
9. Lanner & District Silver (Colin Toghill)
Highest Placed First Section Band: Lympstone South West Telecoms
Second Section:
Test-Piece: Variations on Laudate Dominum (Edward Gregson)
1. Michelmersh Silver (Melvin White)
2. Camborne “B” (Alan Pope)
3. St Pinnock (Jeremy Willcock)
4. Forest of Dean Brass (Jackie Gwynne)
5. Phoenix Brass Crewkerne (Paul Slator)
6. Soundhouse Brass (Gary Pumford)
Special Award for Best Instrumentalist: Timpanist (Michelmersh Silver)
Third Section:
Test-Piece: Episodes for Brass (Gareth Churcher)
1. Pillowell Silver (S Ruck)
2. St Stythians (James Burns)
3. Weston Brass (John Bryant)
4. Heyl Town (Derek Johnston)
5. Pendennis Brass Falmouth (Steve Thomas)
6. Sidmouth Town (Adrian Harvey)
Special Award for Best Horn Section — Pillowell Silver
Fourth Section:
Test-Piece: Anglian Dances (Alan Fernie)
1. Weymouth Concert Brass (Adam Glynn)
2. St Breward Silver (Garry Lannie)
3. Downton (Roland Wright)
4. Totnes (Ian Wilkinson)
5. Hatherleigh Silver (R Wonnacott)
6. City of Exeter Railway (Colin Dance)
7. Okehampton Excelsior Silver (Des Law)
8. Porthleven Town (F Ralph)
9. Lostwithiel Town (Denzil Stephens)
Special Award for Best Bass Section — Downton
Training Section:
Test-Piece: Own choice of any music preceded by own choice March
Gold Award: Double T Brass — Totnes (John Hales)
Silver Award: Lostwithiel Junior (Jane Whitehead)
Special Award for Best Instrumentalist: Kit Percussionist (Double T Brass)
Youth Section:
Test-Piece: English Folksong Suite (Vaughan Williams)
Gold Award: Mount Charles Youth (Simon Dobson)
Special Award for Best Instrumentalist — Solo Cornet with Mount Charles Youth
