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.

 

1902

Chacewater Show Contest

10^th July 1902

(West Briton 17^th July 1902)

Adjudicator: Fred Winterbottom, Bandmaster, Royal Marines, Plymouth

 

Test piece: Sons of Britannia (arr. William Rimmer)

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Camborne Town Band	William Uren
2	Truro DCR Band	Samuel Traise
3	Camborne DCR Band	G Pascoe

 

Marching

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Truro DCR Band	Samuel Traise
2	Camborne Town Band	William Uren
3	Camborne DCR Band	G Pascoe

 

A large crowd assembled in the village witness the departure of the bands the quick step contest, and the attendance the field established record for the morning, large numbers travelling from Truro and Camborne. The Truro Volunteer Band (conductor, Mr. S. Traise) were the first in the ballot for the quick-step contest, and led off with the march “Preciosa,” brassy composition with pretty variations. Camborne Volunteer Band (conductor, Mr. J. Pascoe) followed with ’’Royal Pageant,” statelier and less difficult piece, and Camborne Town Band (conductor, Mr. William Uren) were last with Bond of Friendship,” spirited march which was played with tendency to bold passages. The order of in the selection contest was: Camborne Volunteer Band, Truro Volunteer Band and Camborne Town Band. (10 July 1902 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

 

1903

Chacewater Show Contest

 

The absence of a band contest from the programme of the Chacewater Horse Show is thought by many to have caused a decrease in the takings, while others attribute it to the Royal visit. (16 July 1903 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)

 

 

1904

Chacewater Show Contest

14^th or 16^th July 1904

Adjudicator: Revd T Herbert Spinney, M.A. Oxen, Fellow of the Royal College of Organists

 

Test piece: Songs of Schubert (arr. W Rimmer)  /  Own choice

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Camborne Town	W Uren	690
2	Penzance Independent	J Andrew	620
3	Perranporth Volunteers	H Robins	490

Best euphonium: Mr G Roseveor, Camborne Town Band (Silver Medal)

“The judge was closeted in a bell-tent near the bandstand during the competition. The first band to play was the Camborne town band (conducted by Mr. W. Uren). Perranporth Volunteer band played second, and Penzance Independent band last. Each band played a piece (selected by itself) in addition to the test piece. At the conclusion of the competition, the Rev. Mr. Spinney conducted the bands masse, selecting Bandsmen J. Bawden and G. Roseveare of the Camborne band, to play the cornet and euphonium solos respectively. This was regarded as indicating the result. The hon. sec. of the show (Mr. W. Symons Hooper) announced that the result would be made known from the grandstand, in the front of which the players immediately assembled. Mr. Spinney said it had given him great pleasure to have had the opportunity of judging the bands. He had no hesitation in awarding the lst prize to the first band that played (Camborne town band and their supporters cheered lustily). The second prize would go to the last band that played (Penzance Independent) and the third, of course, to the second playing band (Perranporth Volunteers). He understood that a silver medal for the best euphonium had been offered by Mr. Richardson, of Lancashire (who supplied the music), and did not hesitate to award that to the euphonium player in the first band (Mr. G. Roseveare). This announcement was the cause of an immediate and angry protest the part of certain members of the second and third prize bands, a member of the Perranporth band using such bad language that Police Sergt. Jeffery had to request him to leave the ring. Several ill-mannered remarks were made in the presence of the Rev. gentleman, who had come all the way from the North of England to undertake the unenviable task of deciding the merits of the three bands. But he did not seem to mind. He was satisfied beyond the smallest doubt that he had done what any man calling himself a competent musician would do. It might be mentioned here that this decision upholds that given two years ago by Mr. Frank Winterbottom. That gentleman gave the first prize to the Camborne Town band, and said the euphonium (Roseveare) “acquitted himself excellently and played with plenty of confidence”. The Rev Mr. Spinney has kindly provided us with the table shewing the number of marks awarded for time, tune, attack and so forth. The maximum number in each case was 100, so that it will be seen that the leader of Camborne Town band for power and conception not only secures the maximum number of points, but the additional word of praise “good”. Here is the table (the order is the order of merit: Camborne, Penzance, Perranporth): . Camborne – Attack, precision, and style, 90; time and general tone, 80; expression. 80; time, metrom marks, 90; balance parts, 80; own selection difficulty, etc., 90; conductor’s power of conception and style, …, good; euphonium, 80. Total, 690. Penzance – Attack, precision, and style, time and general tone, 70; expression, 80; time, met rom marks, 80; balance of parts, 70; own selection difficulty, etc., 80 ; conductor’s power of conception and style, …, fair; euphonium, 70. Total, 620. Perranporth – Attack, precision, and style, ?? time and general tone, 50; expression, 70: time, metrom marks 90; balance of parts, 50; own selection difficulty, etc., 50; conductor’s power of conception and style, 60; euphonium, 60. Total, 490. Thus it will be seen that Camborne beat Penzance by 70 points and Perranporth by 200; Seen by our representative, the Rev. Herbert Spinney said the winning band was a great credit to Cornwall. One could judge from the correct and artistic views Judged artistically the winning band made its position very clear. The second prize band ran closely and did very well indeed. He understood there had been some dissatisfaction over the euphonium award, and some players shouted that the winning euphonium slipped in the solo. He did not give his award the solos alone but on the general performance throughout the piece. A man might play every note correctly he said but it might not be artistic for all that The winner (G. Rosevear) played with finish, and was chiefly on that ground that won. Speaking with regard to disputes at contests, Mr. Spinney laughingly told of how he once had the experience of having the tent pulled down on him before he had even given his decision. Even that day he heard a man remark (before the result was announced) that it was a cut and dried affair. Mr. Spinney added that had … experience he could not take much notice of such remarks. Camborne Town band won the prize Chacewater two years ago, Truro Volunteers being second and Camborne Volunteers third. The lst prize was £12; 2nd, £8; 3rd, £4.”  (21 July 1904 – Cornishman)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)