There was a large line-up of bands at this year’s GBBA contest, held at Chosen Hill School, Churchdown. Christopher Binns was given the task of choosing the destiny of the many trophies on offer, including prizes from Denis Wick, Wright & Round and EV-ENTZ

Class B (Youth, Training and Unregistered Bands)

The day started with a high standard of six Unregistered and Training Bands. Debutants of Pate’s Brass Band had the honour of playing the National Anthem, led by their enthusiastic young music teacher David Pilkington-Crowe. Despite only being formed two years ago, this young band gave energetic performances, winning a silver award and the admiration of the large audience.

It was great to see Lybrook and Lydney supporting the event again and many Gloucestershire musicians can trace their musical roots back to these two training bands. Conducted by Robert Morgan and Kevin Ford respectively, both local rivals gave strong performances, each picking up gold awards.

Also making their debut was Kingsley Brass, formed in memory of accomplished local Trombonist Simon Kingsley. Before a loud audience ovation with lots of encouragement from Paul McLaughlin and Pete Richards, this young band performed five pieces to win a bronze award. Eight-year-old Joshua picked up the youngest player of the day award.

Samuel Gawthorne should be proud of his newly formed Nailsworth academy band with their energetic performance, winning them a gold award.

The best class B band award of the day award went to Parkend Silver Band. Louis Thomas conducted the rejuvenated band to a strong performance, with their solo cornet winning the Brett Baker Dennis Wick prize.

Class A (Championship, First, Second, Third and Forth Section Bands)

Bands that had travelled from as far as Leicestershire, Wales and Oxfordshire treated the audience to a wide variety of test pieces. Lydbrook band under the direction of David Barringer, gave a stylish account of Phillip Wilby’s ‘Lowry Sketchbook’ that saw their players dominate the individual awards. Gareth Wood’s ‘Five Blooms in a Welsh Garden’ was an inspired choice for overjoyed conductor Jamie Jones and Usk Brass, coming second. Third place went to a local band, with conductor Josh Ruck leading the A W Parker (Drybrook) band in a fine performance of Malcolm Arnolds ‘Fantasy for Brass Band’.

The audience were treated to a premier of Nightfall, composed by David Pilkington-Crowe for The Lydney Town Band.

The March contest was dominated by A W Parker (Drybrook) and Lydbrook, both choosing to play marches by William Rimmer. Drybrook’s winning performance of ‘The Cossack’ denied local rivals Lydbrook a double win, despite a good rendition of ‘Ravenswood’. Third place went to Wantage Concert Brass, with conductor Daniel Hall also choosing to perform ‘Ravenswood’.

Acknowledgements

Before the result ceremony, Compere David Hayward thanked the team of volunteers and helpers who ensured that the day was a success. This included the GBBA committee, friends, family members, and Flowers Band players. A thankyou was also given to Brett Baker and Denis Wick, Wright and Round and EV-ENTZ Music for their sponsorship of the contest. Gratitude was given to the Gloucestershire police Cadets who marshalled throughout the day.

Class A – Championship, First, Second, Third and Forth Section Bands

Test Piece

Best 4th Section Band – Abbey Brass (Rob Tompkins)

Best 3rd Section Band – Lydney Town Band (Thomas Dunn)

Best 2nd Section Band – Harborough Band (Ben Smith)

Best 1st Section Band – Lydbrook Band (David Barringer)

Best Championship Band - A W Parker (Joshua Ruck)

Test Piece Overall Winners:

1. Lydbrook Band (Wight & Round Award)

2. Usk Brass (Jamie Jones)

3. A W Parker (Drybrook)

March

Best 4th Section Band – City of Oxford Band (Douglas Brown)

Best 3rd Section Band – Lydney Town Band

Best 2nd Section Band – Harborough Band

Best 1st Section Band – Lydbrook Band

Best Championship Band - A W Parker (Drybrook)

March Overall Winners

1. A W Parker (Drybrook) (Wight & Round Award)

2. Lydbrook Band

3. Wantage Concert Brass (Daniel Hall)

Special Awards

Best Horn Section – Wantage Concert Brass

Best Trombone Section – Lydbrook Band

Best Bass Section – Markham & District Band

Best Percussion section – Lydbrook Band (EV-ENTZ Award)

Best Flugel Player - A W Parker (Drybrook)

Best Euphonium Player – Lydbrook Band

Outstanding Contribution – Eb Bass Player of Forest of Dean Brass

Best Soloist/Player (Denis Wick Award) – Lydbrook Solo Cornet

Section B – Youth, Training and Unregistered Bands

Best Youth Section – Lydney Town’s Euphonium and Baritone Section

Youngest Player – Kingsley Brass

Most players aged 14 or under – Pate’s Brass Band

Best Soloist (Denis Wick Award) – Parkend Silver: Cornet Player

Kingsley Brass (Paul McLaughlin) – Bronze Award

Pate’s Brass Band (David Pilkington Crowe) – Silver award

Lydbrook Training Band (Robert Morgan) – Gold Award

Lydney training Band (Kevin Ford) - Gold Award

Nailsworth Academy (Sanual Gawthorne) - Gold Award

Parkend Silver Band (Louis Thomas) - Gold Award

Winning Section B Band (Wright & Round Award) – Parkend Silver