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.
1875
Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association Contest
High Cross, Truro
17th July 1875
Adjudicator: Mr Fly
Test piece: Own choice
| Placed | Conductor | Points | |
| 1 | St Austell DC Rifles | William Jago | |
| 2 | Penryn DC Rifles | ||
| Grampound | |||
| St Dennis | James Yelland | ||
| Truro Town Band | |||
“Band Content: The somewhat novel arrangement of a band contest was quite a success, it was held in the High Cross, and in the afternoon, notwithstanding the vast numbers who wended their to the show, the square opposite St. Mary’s Church was crowded to the utmost. Five bands competed namely St Austell Volunteer Band, Penryn Rifle Volunteers Band, Truro, Grampound and St Dennis Independent Band. Mr. Fly, bandmaster of the South Devon Militia, acted as umpire, and when each of bands had played a trial piece of their own selection he called for the St Austell and Penryn band to play again and then awarded the first prize to the St. Austell band, and the second prize the Penryn. The unsuccessful bands received £1 each for playing in the town during the day. …” (Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser – Saturday 24 July 1875)
Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)