It looks like Pillowell Silver Band may be asking Santa for a new trophy cabinet this year following their triumphant clean sweep at the recent Gloucestershire BBA ‘Own Choice March & Test Piece’ Contest in Ross-on-Wye.

New trophies

The band needs to find a home for seven new trophies, after picking up all five on offer in the Fourth Section. And not to be outdone, they also need to find space for two extra awards brought home by their Training Band (above), who also took to the stage in a fantastic first ever competitive appearance.

Adjudicator Paul Holland was certainly impressed by the senior band’s efforts — and especially the ‘energy and detail’ of the Goff Richards march, ‘Barnard Castle’.

“Time to stop writing, and start listening,” he wrote, before adding complimentary remarks about their performance of ‘Scheherazade’.

Awards

As well as the winner’s trophies for both their march and test piece, Pillowell also picked up silverware for ‘Best Trombone Section’ (Keith Digby, Jane Gething-Lewis, Brian Nelmes), ‘Best Conductor’ (MD Ian Whitburn), and ‘Best Instrumentalist’ for Kristyann Symonds on soprano cornet.

it’s really nice that the hard work put in by the players of both bands has been rewardedMD, Ian Whitburn

Training titles

Meanwhile, Pillowell’s Training Band, conducted by Kristyann, were thrilled to be rewarded for their first contest performance with trophies for ‘Youngest Player’ (Bethan Moore, aged 8) and ‘Band with Most Players Under 14’.

Musical Director Ian Whitburn said he was thrilled with both bands.

“I was very proud to conduct the senior band in such a fantastic performance,” he said.

“However, it’s really nice that the hard work put in by the players of both bands has been rewarded. That we swept the board and won all the prizes is a testament to every single player and a fitting cap to what has been a great year.”

Festive celebration

Celebrations will continue with a festive feel at their cabaret concert later this month, which will mark the end of a very successful year which has seen no less than 11 new trophies added to their collection.