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.
1891
Monster Cornwall Rechabite Demonstration and County Band Contest
(Rechabites)
Tregullow, Scorrier
Monday 6th July 1891
Adjudicator: Frank Winterbottom (Royal Marine Band, Plymouth)
Test piece: The Champion (A Hartmann / Richard Smith) / Own choice
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Camborne DCR | William Uren | 46 |
| 2 | Penzance Independent | John Andrews | 38 |
| 3 | Redruth DCR | R H Heath | 36 |
| 4 | Hayle Volunteers | R Trudgeon | 29 |
| W | St Buryan Independent | ||
“A correspondent writes that Mr John Andrews, conductor of the latter [Penzance], had sunstroke while conducting. Redruth and Hayle bands were third and fourth respectively. …” (9 July 1891 – Cornishman)
“The Rechabites of the Cornwall District held a demonstration at Tregullow, the seat of Mr. C. A. V. Conybeare, M.P., on Monday, and, favoured by fine weather, the event was a great success, thousands of people attending from the district around, and many coming from distant parts of the county. The principal item of the day’s programme was a band contest, in which four bands competed. In the morning the weather was dull and showery, but towards mid-day the sky cleared, and the sun shone out brightly. Excursion trains were run from all parts of the county, and they were exceedingly well patronized. At the gates of Tregullow there was a tremendous crush, and the arrangement for the admission of the people was most inadequate. … Pent. The following bands entered for the contest: Redruth Volunteers, Camborne Volunteers, Hayle Volunteers, Penzance Independent and St Buryan Independent. The last-named band did not put in an appearance. At noon the brethren attending, headed by the four bands, assembled at Redruth, paraded the principal streets of the town and then marched in procession to Tregullow, arriving there at about half-past one. … Each band played a test piece, grand contest fantasia, “The Champion” by R. Smith, and a selection of its own, the latter not exceeding 10 minutes in time. The bands also played the test piece en masse before the awards were made known. … The maximum number of points was fifty. …”(Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 9 July 1891)
1893
Rechabite Fete and Contest
Old Truro College Cricket Ground, St Clement’s Hill, Truro
7th August 1893
Adjudicator: Mr Willis, Bandmaster, 2nd Bedford Regiment
Test piece: Orpheus (Gluck)
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Illogan Brass and Reed (William | Harry Oxland | 480 |
| 2 | Penzance Independent | John Andrew | 475 |
| W | Camborne DCR Band | ||
Test piece: Own choice
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | Illogan Brass and Reed Wm Tell (Rossini) | Harry Oxland | 480 |
| 2 | Penzance Independent Haddon Hall (Sullivan) | John Andrew | 465 |
| W | Camborne DCR Band | ||
“RECHABITE FETE AT TRURO. Cornwall District Rechabites held their annual fete at Truro on Bank Holiday in the old cricket field at the top of St. Clement’s hill. A procession was formed, headed by the Penzance Independent Band, and also accompanied by the Illogan Reed and Brass Band, under the Rev. Harry Oxland. … The principal attraction was a band contest, for which the prizes were the substantial sums of £12, £6, and £3. Two bands only entered. The judge, Mr. R. Willis, band-master of 2nd Bedford Regiment, Devonport, declaring his decision, which seemed to give general satisfaction, said it was one of the hardest contests over which he had presided. …” (Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 10 August 1893)
Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)