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.

 

 

1922

1^st Hayle Town Band Contest

19^th April 1922

(Hayle Town Band)

Adjudicator: G H Mercer of Sheffield

 

Second Section test piece: The Gondoliers

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	St Ives Silver	John Tanner

 

Third Section test piece: Song Echoes

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Helston	A J Harris
2	St Erth	S Rowe
3	Four Lanes	W Floyd

 

Fourth Section test piece: Classic Gems No. 2

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Truro Town	A J Hubbard

 

March Past: Own Choice?

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	St Ives	A J Hubbard
2	St Erth
	Four Lanes
	Helston
	Truro (Victor’s Return)

 

Band Contest at Hayle. At the band contest held at the Brewen- Field, Hayle, Saturday, there were five competitors, viz., St. Ives Silver, Fourlanes, Helston, St. Erth, and Truro Town. Sickness prevented the appearance of Constantine. Cold and showery weather and small entry evoked the sympathy of the judge (Mr. G. H. Mercer, Sheffield) with the promoters, whose offer of £60 in prizes, said, was worthy of better rivalry. Two the bands had opposition. St. Ives Silver (Bandmaster J. Tanner) were alone in the second section, where the test piece was “The Gondoliers”; and Truro Town (Bandmaster A. J. Hubbard) gave the only performance “Classic Gems No. 2” in, the fourth section. The committee, however, allowed them the first prizes, and £6 respectively. “A rattling good performance” commented the judge of the St. Ives Band. “There were some faults, but the precision, accent, and character appealed to me.” “Song echoes” was the selection in the third section, and the awards were : First, £10, Helston (A. J. Harris); second, ‘£6. St. Erth (S. Rowe); third, Fourlanes (W. Floyd), who were only three points behind St. Erth. For the march past, “Victor’s Return”, the first prize was, won by St. Ives, and the second St. Erth, the adjudicator remarking that there was not much to choose between all the competitors. Mr. Polglase, (euphonium), adjudged the ‘best soloist, and received silver medal. …” (19 April 1922 – Cornishman)

“Mr. Thomas Hubbard, Truro Town Band, writes: Your report the band contest at Hayle last Saturday states there were two bands which had no opposition. This was quite correct, but when it is said the committee allowed us both first prizes it is altogether wrong. Both bands were judged by the adjudicator on their merits, and had they not deserved first prize they would not have received it. The statement that “The victors’ return” was the march past is also wrong. The Truro Town Band was the only band that this march; the march contest was an “own choice” contest.” (26 April 1922 – Cornishman)

 

 

1923

2^nd Hayle Town Band Contest

 (Hayle Town Band)

1^st September 1923

Adjudicator:

 

The Hayle Town Band Committee are holding a Second section band contest on September 1^st 1923. For further particulars apply to the secretary. Alf. J. Wearne. (4 July 1923 – Cornishman)

 

No report found of this contest taking place.

 

 

 

Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)