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.
1920
1st St Newlyn East Contest
Parknoweth
(St Newlyn East Band)
12th June 1920
Adjudicator: J Brindle
Single section test piece: The Maid of Orleans
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | Wadebridge | W T Lobb | |
2 | Four Lanes | W Floyd | |
3 | Greensplat Band | E J Williams | |
Carharrack | J F Bray | ||
Newquay | L Abram | ||
Truro | L Abrams | ||
Specials:
Horn: G Kellow (Greensplat Band)
Trombone: W Kellow (Greensplat Band)
Single section march:
Placed | Points | |
1 | Carharrack | |
2 | Truro | |
Four Lanes | ||
Greensplat Band | ||
Newquay | ||
Wadebridge | ||
“Some dissatisfaction was expressed of the decisions at Newlyn East Band Contest, winners and losers and many of the public, doubting whether or not a mistake was made in numbers in the bands or the order in which they played. Several openly expressed regret at the result in the interest of “banding” and some contestants stated they would never compete again. Fortunately the large majority seemed to treat the whole episode of the awards as more or less of a joke. The adjudicator Mr, J. Brindle (Heath Chorely) made no attempt to indicate the reasons for his awards, or to criticism of the respective merits of the bands. All he said “There has been some very close playing indeed in my opinion.”
It is not considered good enough for adjudicators to reserve their reports or criticisms, as has been done in several cases, for some band journal published in some distant parts of the Kingdom which seldom finds their way into the hands of the performers at contests. Committees arranging these events, it is thought, should make it stipulation with the judges that they shall declare to the spectators and contestants their reasons for the placing of the awards.
The contest was held in a field lent, by Mr. W. J. Lugg at Parknoweth, and about fourteen or fifteen hundred people attended. Mr. W. Lanyon was president. Revs A. L. Price and B. Harpur vice-chairmen. Messrs. W. Hawkey and E. Halls, hon. secretaries, and Mr. H. Kent hon. treasurer. The test piece was the tuneful music “Maid of Orleans,” by Michel Laurent. It gave scope for good all round concerted and solo work. … The winners of the cup were Wadebridge Band. It has to be won three times in succession or any four times. The bands contesting were Greensplat (Mr. A. J. Williams), Wadebridge (Mr V. T. Lobb), Truro Town (Mr. L. Abram). Four Lanes (Mr. W. Floyd), Newquay (Mr. L. Abram), and Carharrack (Mr. J. F. Bray)
Awards: March Contest. l, Carharrack: 2, Truro. Test Piece, l. Wadebridge (cup) and cornet medallist (W. T. Lobb); 2. Fourlanes; equal 3. Greensplat and Truro Town. … At the close Mr. W. Lanvon, the president, welcomed the contestants and the public. They were, he said, living in troublous times, but if they could tune themselves to harmony as well as the instruments had been tuned that day, and do their part in life as well the performers, they would soon get over the difficulties that were besetting the nation, and by bearing with one another and banishing the selfish spirit, have better times ahead. … Before leaving the ground the bands massed under the adjudicator and placed “Kenilworth ” march. In the evening a concert was given in The “Pit” was crowded, and the Bands, under Mr. L. Abram, … Encores were numerous, and the playing the massed bands was excellent. The pit was crowded, and the adjudicator at the contest, who was among those present, afterwards congratulated Mr. Abram being conductor of force so large and good. Truro band was accorded hearty cheers leaving at the close.” (14 June 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1921
2nd Annual St Newlyn East Contest
(St Newlyn East Band)
11th June 1921
Adjudicator: A Tiffany of Huddersfield
Second section test piece: Recollections of Wales plus own choice hymn
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | Stenalees Silver | J Hinchcliffe | |
2 | Foxhole Brass | John Morcom | |
3 | Indian Queens Band | Ford Knight | |
St Columb Town | W H Webber | ||
Wadebridge Town | W T Lobb | ||
Cornet: M Minear (Stenalees)
Horn: William Tamblyn (Indian Queens)
Trombone (J Stephens (Stenalees)
Euphonium M Kessell (Foxhole)
Third section test piece: Spirit of the Nations plus own choice hymn
Placed | Conductor | Points | |
1 | St Minver Band | J F Wills | |
2 | Fraddon Temperance Band | William Juleff | |
3 | Newquay Town Band | J Lennon | |
W | Bugle Silver Band | ||
Soprano: W A Wills (St Minver)
Cornet: T Cock (St Minver)
Euphonium: T Wills (S Minver)
Open section march for all bands
Placed | Points | |
1 | Stenalees | |
2 | Newquay | |
Percussion: Guy Martin (Stenalees)
1921: Stenalees Silver Band won the march contest at Newlyn East Band Contest recently and the medal for the best drummer went Guy Martyn a member of Stenalees Band. (15 June 1921 – Western Morning News)
Compiled by Tony Mansell (Bardh Kernow)