Contesting
Not all bands enter competitions and there are some which shun the contest stage, preferring to concentrate their efforts in providing music for local events. For most players, though, contesting has always been an important part of brass banding, the reason that they spend so many hours trying to perfect their art. It provides them with the opportunity to test their musical skills against others and, of course, to bring home that silverware.
This section includes brass band contests which have taken place in Cornwall. I doubt that all are here, and there are certainly some results missing, but, over time, it is hoped that it will become a comprehensive record of all Cornish Contests.
1878 / 1879 / 1880
Falmouth Contest
From subsequent numbering of contests it appears that contests were held in these years but no reports have been found
1881
4th Falmouth Contest
1881
Adjudicator: Mr Bishop of HMS Ganges
Test piece: Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah (George Frederick Handel)
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | |||
2 | |||
3 | |||
4 | |||
“A correspondent, writing in reference to the band contest at Pendennis Castle and St Day, states that on each occasion Mr Bishop, of HMS Ganges, officiated as judge; that he selected the Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah for the test piece; and that in the first instance he awarded the prize for correct time to a band which went through the piece in four and a half minutes, whilst in the latter instance a band obtained the prize which consumed five minutes in its performance.” “Now,” says my correspondent, “I want to know if the speed of the Hallelujah Chorus is altered since the first named contest, or whether Mr Bishop has changed his opinion on the matter since then.” Of course I can only advise my correspondent to repeat his question on a post card and forward it to Mr Bishop, who, no doubt, is able and, perhaps, willing to afford all information on the point. But, “Lover of Music ” will pardon me if I say that he appears to strain at a gnat: he sticks at trifles, but overlooks the weightier matters of the law.” (9 September 1881 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
No results found
1882
5th Falmouth Contest
Pendennis Castle
Monday 7th August 1882
Adjudicator: Reginald Heath of Redruth
Test piece: Rose d’Amour / Own choice
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | St Dennis (La Favorita – arr. Smith) | ||
2 | Penryn (Honoria) | ||
3 | Truro City (Royal Christies) | ||
Indian Queens (Napolean – de Lacy) | |||
St Buryan (Ernani) | |||
St Agnes Red Coats (Royal Christies) | Joseph Roberts | ||
Sticker (In Memorium – Smith) | |||
“… and Falmouth a spirited amateur band contest; … The grand attraction was, of course, the amateur band contest and musical fete at Pendennis Castle. Upwards of 10,000 persons are said to have visited the grounds during the day, and, the weather being delightful, all must have enjoyed themselves, the heat making it more pleasurable to listen to the competing bands then to indulge in any of the games provided. Mr. R. H. Heath, of Redruth, acted as the umpire, and had little difficulty in awarding the premier position to the St. Dennis band ; but the Penryn band, in taking second honours, were driven rather hard by the Truro band, who won the third prize. Four other bands competed. Much of the success of the arrangements of the fete was due to the indefatigable services of the secretary, Mr. J. F. Mark, of Truro.” (10 August 1882 – Cornishman)
1882 – August Bank Holiday: St Dennis Band won a contest held in Falmouth. They celebrated so well that they missed the last train home and all 12 had to walk the 25 miles back to St Dennis through the night as they were due to report for the early morning shift at the clayworks, where they arrived just in time. (Phillip Hunt in a presentation to Gorsedh Kernow about a story relayed by John Trudgian)
1883
6th Falmouth Contest
Pendennis Castle
August 1883
Adjudicator:
From subsequent numbering of contests it appears that contests were held in this year but no report has been found
1884
7th Falmouth Fete & Contest
(In aid of the
Volunteer Fire Brigade)
Pendennis Castle
August 1884
Adjudicator: Mr Hallett
Test piece: / Own choice
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | Devoran | ||
2 | Constantine | ||
3 | Mawnan | ||
FETE AT FALMOUTH. A fete was held on Monday at Falmouth in aid of the funds of the Falmouth Volunteer Fire Brigade. It consisted of a procession, band contest, and sports, and the whole programme was carried out in a highly successful manner. … Mr T Webber, who acted as umpire of the sports, marshalled the procession on the moor. It consisted of several bicycle clubs, mustering in large numbers, bands, and fire engine, and proceeded to Pendennis Castle, where an extensive programme of sports was gone through. Three bands contested for three prizes, and after some capital music from each, the prizes were awarded as follows: 1, Devoran; 2, Constantine; 3, Mawnan. Mr. Hallett acted as judge.” (8 August 1884 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1885
8th Falmouth Contest
Pendennis Castle
August 1885
Adjudicator: K Stebbing
Test piece: / Own choice
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | St Agnes (red coats) | J Roberts | |
2 | Black Rock | J Corey | |
3 | Truro City | H Phillips | |
4 | St Buryan | H Prowse | |
Unknown | |||
Unknown | |||
“BAND CONTEST AT FALMOUTH. The band contest at Pendennis castle drew large crowds of visitors and was of a financial success. Six bands competed. Mr. K. Stebbing, bandmaster Royal Warwickshire Regiment, officiated as umpire. The first prize (£l4) was awarded to St. Agnes (red coats) band, led by Mr. J. Roberts. This is the second time this band has carried off first honours. The Black-rock band (Mr. J. Corey ) was second (£6 😉 Truro city band (Mr. H. Phillips) third (£4 😉 and St. Buryan band (Mr. H. Prowse) fourth (one year’s Brass Band Journal. …”(7 August 1885 – Royal Cornwall Gazette / 13 August 1885 – Cornishman)
“St. Agnes Brass Band. At the band contest on Bank Holiday at Falmouth the first prize of £7, and plated trombone, valued like sum, was awarded to the St. Agnes Brass Band (redcoats.) Captain J. Roberts the painstaking conductor. Last year the first prize also fell to this band the contest held in Penzance. Six bands competed this year.” (6 August 1885 – The Cornish Telegraph)
Letter from H. Phillips, Truro City Bandmaster, disputing the marking and the result. (21 August 1885 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1886 / 1887
Falmouth Contest
From a statement made in the 1934 report we assume that contests were held in these years but no reports have been found
1888
Falmouth Contest
August 1888
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | Penzance (11 players) | ||
2 | Falmouth Volunteers (24 players) | ||
3 | Penryn Volunteers | ||
4 | Helston volunteers | ||
5 | Unknown | ||
6 | Unknown | ||
7 | Unknown | ||
8 | Unknown | ||
“The first contest the band [Penzance] attended was at Falmouth the August Bank-holiday of 1888, when met seven other bands. Here the Penzance musicians won the first prize with only eleven members; Falmouth Volunteer band second with or 24 members:) Penryn Volunteer band third; Helston Volunteer band fourth.” (20 February 1896 – Cornishman)
Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)