Verwood Concert Brass earned themselves a fantastic result at the 68th Annual Championships of the South West Brass Band Association held on Saturday 1 November. Not only did they win the special award for the highest placed First Section Band but also won the contest out right.
The band travelled the 100 miles down to the Riviera Centre in Torquay to take part in the ‘Open Section’ of the contest which is for Championship Section and First Section Bands to compete in. It was an ‘Own Choice’ event meaning each band could choose a test piece to play.
Verwood played ‘Spectrum’ by Gilbert Vintner. Spectrum, meaning ‘a band of colours’ was most apt as the band put in a very colourful performance finding favour with the contest adjudicators and audience alike.
The band had a long wait before competing, having been drawn last to play but on the upside this meant there was less time for the nerve jangling wait for the results. But no matter how long the wait may have been, the result was worth waiting for.
Band chairman and cornet player, Helen Dunnings said, “This is a great achievement for the band. We have been putting in some consistently good contest performances but in the past have just missed out on winning some silverware. Coming away with the winning cup and special award for highest placed First Section Band has given us all a real boost and is great recognition for everyone’s hard work and efforts.”
Verwood Concert Brass’ next contest was closer to home; the Wessex Brass Band Association Winter Contest on 29 November at the Life Centre, Bournemouth.
