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.

 

 

 

1933

Redruth Marching Contest

(Redruth Town Band)

May 1933

Adjudicator: Mr. C. F. Woodhead, St Austell

 

Second Section Quick March: Victor’s Return

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Penzance	J Probert
2	Camborne Juniors	Jack Eustace
3	Carharrack and St Day	E J Williams

 

Third Section Quick March: Home Trail

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Camborne Juniors	Jack Eustace
2	Carharrack and St Day	E J Williams
3	Stithians Silver	Tom Hubbard

 

Fourth Section Quick March: True Blue

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Carharrack and St Day	E J Williams
2	Marazion Town	B H David
3	Paul	S Carne

 

Best Dressed Band

Placed		Points
1	Stithians Silver
2	Penzance

 

Deportment

Placed		Points
1	Madron British Legion
=2	Stithians Silver
=2	Penzance

 

“The first band marching contest promoted by Redruth Town Band, was held at the Redruth recreation ground on Saturday. It is proposed that the event, which is confined to junior bands, shall be made an annual fixture. He [Mr Woodhead] thought all band uniforms looked better with a belt. Of all the bands competing Madron Legion were the band he would have chosen to march behind; their discipline was excellent, and they went round the field as if they were tied together with a string. He had never seen even an Army band march better than Madron Legion had that day. Stithians and Penzance Bands, he said, had not got the proper step; they apparently used a step of their own.”  (25 May 1933 – Cornishman)

 

 

 

 

1934

Redruth Marching Contest

(Redruth Town Band)

May 1934

Adjudicator: Mr. C. H. Baker, of Redruth

 

Second Section March: Conqueror

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Falmouth
=2	Camborne Juniors	Jack Eustice
=2	St Stythians Silver	Thomas Hubbard

 

Third Section March: Knight of the Road

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Camborne Junior	Jack Eustice
2	St Stythians Silver	Thomas Hubbard
3	Gweek	M J Chainey

 

Fourth Section March: Old Warriors

Placed		Conductor	Points
1	Marazion	B H David
2	Paul	Samuel Paul
3	Heamoor	H P Richards

 

Best Dressed Band

Placed		Points
1	Camborne Juniors
=2	Falmouth
=2	St Stythians Silver

 

Deportment

Placed		Points
1	St Stythians Silver

“Band Marching Contest Tuneful and Colourful Display at Redruth Local Successes. The second annual Band Marching Contest, which was promoted by Redruth Town Band, the president of which is Mr. C. J. Cooke, was held in the Recreation Ground, Redruth, on Saturday afternoon and evening. Before the start of this unique and very interesting contest the bands assembled at the Fair Meadow, and played through the town to the Recreation Ground. The first was the Open Dress and Deportment competition which was judged by Major Cyril Pengelly, R.A. (T). Marazion were the first band to take the field, under the conductorship of Mr. B. H. David. After the Marazion band had finished the march they assembled in front of the grand-stand and played the contest piece in the fourth section, “Old Warriors.” They were followed by Heamoor and then by Paul. These were also in the fourth section. Heamoor and Paul bands were conducted by Mr. H. P. Richards and Mr. Samuel Carne respectively. In the third section which was then adjudged, Heamoor Band took the field first. The contest piece for this section was “Knight of the Road.” Heamoor were succeeded by Gweek band, who first marched around, and then played the contest piece. Gweek band was under the very able baton of Mr. M. J. Chainey. Marazion then followed and then Camborne Juniors, who marched and played. They were conducted by Mr. J. Eustace. The dress of this band is exceedingly smart. St. Stithians Silver Band were also very neatly and smartly dressed in navy-blue uniforms, with red leads. The formation at the end of their march was very fine indeed, and was well worthy of the applause from the onlookers in the grand-stand. St. Stythians were conducted by Mr. Thomas Hubbard. Paul was the last band to play in this section. “Conqueror,” a rousing tune, was the piece for the second and last section, and the first band on the field was Marazion. Camborne Junior Band followed, and then Falmouth marched around the field and then played the contest piece. Falmouth Band were also very smartly dressed in brown and yellow uniforms. St. Stythians Silver Band were the next to play. Mr. C. H. Baker, of Redruth, adjudicated the contest. The very finest item of the afternoon was the playing of “Knight of the Road” (the contest piece for the third section) by the massed bands. This was conducted by Mr. Baker, the adjudicator. ADJUDICATOR’S COMMENTS. After the excellent playing of the massed bands, Mr. C. J. Cooke, who presided, called upon Mr. Baker, the adjudicator, to comment on the various bands. Mr. Baker said that this was the first contest of the season, and that the bands found it rather difficult, after being boxed up in the band-rooms all the winter, to get into form. As the season advanced the bands would find their form improving… Dealing with the fourth section, Mr. Baker said that in that section he had had very little difficulty. The band that had played the piece best was the one that had played first (Marazion Town), the third band (Paul) came next, and the second band (Heamoor) third. In the third section Mr. Baker said that two bands were very close together. One band, however, was slightly out of tune and so he awarded the first prize to the band that played fourth (Camborne Junior), the second to the band that played fifth (St. Stythians Silver), and the third prize to the band that played second (Gweek). In the second and last section Mr. Baker said that two bands had again come very close together, so close that he was going to divide the second and third prizes equally. The band that had rendered the piece best was the third band to play (Falmouth Town), the second band to play (Camborne Junior), and the fourth (St. Stythians Silver) had tied for second place. IMPORTANCE OF DEPORTMENT AND DRESS. Major Pengelly, who judged the Open Dress and Deportment competition, said that did not think that they could emphasise too much the importance of a class for deportment and dress. A first-class band, badly turned out, lost prestige. The class should beneficial to all bands. “There are one two things I noticed, Major Pengelly continued, “In the first place some of the instruments should have been polished a bit before they came on the field, especially the brass instruments. “Some of the bands not in uniform were quite excellent in deportment. I have tried to be impartial and conscientious as possible.” Major Pengelly awarded the first prize to Camborne Juniors, while Falmouth Town Silver and St. Stythians came next with an equal second. St. Stythians won the deportment prize and were heartily congratulated by Major Pengelly “on being a very smart band. Mr. Cooke then said that before he called Mr. Glasson (vice-chairman of the Camborne-Redruth Council) he would like to say one or two things. Mr. J. Carah Roberts (chairman of the Camborne-Redruth Council) had been with them earlier in the afternoon, but, having an important engagement, they could not stay to present the prizes. Mr. J. Glasson would deputise for Mr. Roberts. Mr. Cooke went on to say that one of the objects of the contest was to help the Redruth Town Band. The Redruth Town Band had been extremely fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr. Baker as their conductor, and in order to keep such a fine conductor with the band, the band must have support. Those who were in a position to finance the band were not doing what they could. “This band is doing well at the present” Mr Cooke added, “and there is doubt about it, they will take a high place among Cornish bands. Redruth is known as the hub of the Cornish Riviera and we want a first-class band here. “I ask you to do as much as can to help the band,” Mr. Cooke concluded. Mr. J. Glasson, in presenting the prizes, said that was very pleased to be there that afternoon. He toad thoroughly enjoyed himself. He added that all cheques would be sent on to the successful bands by the secretary (Mr. J. Pascoe) m due course, The Redruth Town Band are to be sincerely congratulated on organising such an interesting contest. (10 May 1934 – Cornishman)

 

 

 

 

Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)