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.

 

 

1923

Helston Nansloe Contest

Nansloe, Helston

5th May 1923

Adjudicator: J T Carter, Lancashire (originally from Breage)

 

Second Section

Test piece: La Traviata

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Newquay	G Cave
2	Bugle	E J Williams
3	Truro	T Hubbard
	St Ives	J Tanner

 

Third Section

Test piece: In sunny lands

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Newlyn East	George Cave
2	Truro	T Hubbard
3	Constantine	L Reynolds
4	Greensplat	J Bassett
	Four Lanes	W Floyd

 

Marching Contest

Test piece: Ironclad

Placed		Points
1	Bugle
2	St Ives
3	Newquay
	Five other bands

 

“BAND CONTEST – Most inauspicious weather mitigated against the band contest held at Helston on Saturday. Heavy rain fell continuously all the morning, and soon after midday a thunderstorm broke and continued for some time. Fortunately, about 3 p.m., the storm abated, and the sun shone out, but the attendance was naturally affected by what had gone before. Despite the weather eight bands put in an appearance, and the programme was duly carried out at Nansloe. There were eight competitors: Truro, Fourlanes, Greensplat, Constantine, St. Ives, Newlyn East, Bugle, and Newquay. … For the march test “Ironclad” was the piece selected, which the bands played in their procession up Meneage-street. In this the 1st prize was won by Bugle; 2nd, St. lives; 3rd, Newquay. Bands entered in Section 2 were Newquay (Mr. G. W. Cave, conductor), St. Ives (Mr. J. Tanner), Truro (Mr. T. Hubbard), and Bugle (Mr. E. J. Williams. “La Traviata” was the test piece. Newquay were awarded first prize …, Bugle second, and Truro, third, Winners of medals for soloists were Cornet, Mr. G. Cave, Newquay; euphonium, Mr W. Tremain, Truro; trombone, Mr. H. Wills, Bugle; soprano, Mr. F. Libby, Truro, Newlyn East. Greensplat, Fourlanes (Mr. W. Floyd), and Constantine played “In sunny lands” in Section 3. Newlyn East (Mr. G. W. Cave) received first prize, Truro second, £7; Constantine (Mr. L. Reynolds) third, £4. Greensplat J. Bassett) were fourth. Medals went to Messrs. Halls, Newlyn East (cornet); W. Tremain, Truro (euphonium); Dingle, Kent, and Juniper, Newlyn East (trombone trio). The “West Briton” medal for the best Soloist on the ground was awarded Bandmaster G. W. Cave (cornet), of the Newquay Band. St. Ives and Greensplat were awarded bandmaster cups. The adjudicator was Mr. J. H. Carter, Lancashire, who has had the honour of being appointed judge at the Crystal Palace for six consecutive seasons. Mr. Carter, who a native of Breage, remarked that much of the playing was very creditable, and he felt proud “to hear it in his native county.” (9 May 1923 – Cornishman)

 

 

Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)

 

There are clearly more results to collect for this contestbut they remain elusiver.

We do have this record for St Dennis Silver:

1927: Test piece: 1st / March: 2nd

July 1928: Test piece: 1st / March: 1st

1929: Test piece: 3rd

1930: Test piece: 1st / March: 1st

1931: Test piece: 1st / March: 1st