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.
1873
Gweek Contest
October 1873
Adjudicator:
The Recent Band Contest. Mr Thomas Veal, bandmaster of the Constantine band, writes to us to correct sundry errors, which he alleges appeared in our paragraph respecting the contest at Gweek between the Constantine and Seworgan bands. Mr Veal declares that the bands did not play together at all; the Seworgan band was not invited into the Ship Inn by the landlord, who was away from home at the time. Moreover, the Constantine band has the honour of being styled the “Teetotal Band,” and when employed by Sunday schools the members always avoid entering public houses. In conclusion Mr Veal says that if a contest piece is provided and an impartial judge appointed, the Constantine band will not hesitate to try their skill. (24 May 1873 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
“We see in your last week’s paper that the Constantine Band is titled ‘The Teetotal Band’. We know very different from that, for if the leader, Mr Veal, is a teetotal he must have signed the pledge very lately. Besides, we see that the Constantine band have challenged us to play, if a contest is provided. We shall not back out. We had the praise at Gweek and that is the reason why the Constantine Band is not very well pleased. Yours respectfully, Seworgan May 26th 1873. Seworgan Band.” (RCG)
From the comments here it seems that the Seworgan Band came off best at the contest.
1921
Gweek Contest
October 1921
Adjudicator: Mr Boudier
Selection
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Hayle Town | E. C. Wills | |
| 2 | Helston Town | ||
| 3 | Constantine | ||
| 4 | St Erth | ||
| Four Lanes | |||
| St Keverne | |||
March
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | St Erth | ||
| 2 | Hayle Town | ||
| 3 | Four Lanes | ||
| Helston Town | |||
| Constantine | |||
| 6 | St Keverne | ||
Great interest was taken in the Band contest at Gweek on Saturday. The bands present were St. Keverne, Helston, Constantine, Four Lanes, St. Erth and Hayle. The adjudicator was Mr. Boudier, Bandmaster Royal Naval Barracks, Plymouth. The bands were lined up for the march contest at one o’clock, in the following order: 1, Helston; 2, Constantine; 3, St Erth: 4, Four Lanes; 5, St. Keverne; 6, Hayle Town. Result: First prize. No. 3, St. Erth. Hayle Town was second in order of merit. After this contest the Bandmaster entered the ring to draw for order of play on the stand with the following results: No. 1, Helston; 2, Four Lanes; 3, Hayle; 4. St. Keverne; 5, Constantine; 6, St. Erth. The awards were follows: First prize, Hayle Town; second, Helston; third, Constantine; fourth, St. Erth. Medals for soloists: Euphonium medal, Mr. Harvey Polglase, Helston Band. Cornet medal, Mr. E. C. Wills, Bandmaster of Hayle Town Band. Trombone medal was awarded to Constantine Band. After the awards were made known the judge said it was a very great pleasure for him to come to Gweek and to listen to such generally very good brass band music. He had no hesitation in saying that taken as a whole, the performances were good, but he would like to make special mention of the first prize band, whose performance he considered was creditable. The rendering of the selection by this band in intonation, balance and the expression marks in his opinion were excellent. (12 October 1921 – Cornishman)
1921: “…unemployed distress funds, it has certainly damaged the popularity of the Band Contests. The awards were as follows: 1st prize, Hayle Town Band; 2nd, Helston Town Band; 3rd, Constantine Brass Band. To the majority of the people present this decision was a great surprise…” (12 October 1921 – Cornishman)
1921: “…Ist, St. Erth; 2nd, Hayle; 3rd, Four Lanes; Helston; 4th, Constantine and 9th, St. I admire the pluck of the St. Keverne Band; they were outclassed it’s true, but they have the spirit that good bands are made of; the lack of numbers was very …”(12 October 1921 – Cornishman)
“Band Contest Gweek. Sir, The letter of Mr. F. W. Yenton is calculated to arouse spirit altogether antagonistic to that in which band contests are promoted, and his remarks concerning the judge at the Gweek contest are, to put it mildly, in very bad taste. The presence of the five bands and the audience (including Mr. Vennor), indicated their confidence in the judge, and all good sportsmen, having entered the lists under the published conditions, will accept his decision, however disappointing that decision may be to certain individuals.” (19 October 1921 – Cornishman)
1946
Gweek Band Music Festival
(Gweek Band)
September 1946
Adjudicator: C H Baker
Selection:
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Mabe | J Thomas | |
| 2 | Porthleven | ||
Hymn:
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Mabe | J Thomas | |
| 2 | Porthleven | ||
March
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Mabe | J Thomas | |
| 2 | Porthleven | ||
Gweek Band Holds Music Festival. Disappointing entries. Instead of the usual gala day, Gweek Silver Band on Saturday, organised a band contest for third section bands, junior open solos. Entries were disappointing, only two bands, Mabe and Porthleven competing. The adjudicator was Mr. C. H. Baker (musical director, St. Austell Band). Awards were: Mabe (bandmaster, J. Thomas); firsts for march, hymn and selection; silver medals for solo cornet (S. Roberts) and solo euphonium (T. Groves). Prizes were presented by Mrs. N. Danby (Port Navas). After tea the junior and open solo contests were held in the Methodist schoolroom. Mr. Jose Collins (Gweek) (vice-president of the band), gave the prizes so that a special class for boys under 14 was held. In the junior solo contest there were nine entries, in the open solo six. Stanley Oliver Porthleven (Camborne Town Band) won first, silver medal (euphonium) and silver medal for best player. G. Fletcher (Camborne, tenor horn), took first for juniors, silver medal for best horn player and second in the open. W. Hoxton (Falmouth Town Band) won the open medal for trombone. Results were: Boys under 14 —1. D. Oliver (Porthleven), cornet; 2. T. Jory (Camborne), cornet; 3, C.. Williams (Camborne), cornet. Junior solo—l, and medal—G. Fletcher (Camborne), tenor horn: 2. T. Jory cornet; 3, C. Williams cornet. Open solo —1, S. Oliver (Porthleven) euphonium; 2, G. Fletcher tenor horn; 3. G. Travarthen euphonium. Mr. T. Boulden thanked Mr.. Baker, and Mr. E. H. Moyle seconded. Mr. J. Mill (Gweek), was the M.C. at a social and dance in the Band Room in the evening. Music was Miss Nellie Sobey (Porthallow) and Messrs. Arthur Oates (Trelowarren), piano accordions, and C. Goldsworthy (Gweek), trumpet.” (26 September 1946 – Cornishman)
Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)