A total of 16 bands took part in scaba's annual entertainment contest on the weekend, with Friary Guildford maintaining their run of excellent competitive form by taking the top section title for a sixth consecutive year.
Sixth out of six
Their programme of '76 Trombones' arranged by MD Chris King opened their assault, before they segued through the 'Overture to Colas Breugnon', 'Bess You is My Woman', the solo 'Concert Etude' which gave principal cornet Richard Straker the 'Best Soloist' prize and the flamboyant closer, 'Nightingale Dances'.
Victory rounded off a fine few months for the band — following on from their qualification to the National Finals earlier in the year — with this victory coming soon after their promotion to the Grand Shield in Blackpool.
Second place went to the improving Soham Comrades, with the final podium slot taken by Horsham Borough.
LGB victory
In the B Section there was also a clear cut victory for LGB Brass, as they secured their third victory in five years at the event under the direction of Ian Stewart.
They beat off the challenge of Amersham in second, with Hangleton further back in third, whilst Iona Harrison, principal cornet of Chichester City took the 'Best Soloist' award.
Adjudicator John Maines had a total of 100 points available to award each performance, with marks for Musical Performance (max. 60) / Entertainment Value (30) / Presentation & Deportment (10).
Bands exceeding the 24 minute time limited were penalised -1 point for each 30 seconds (or part thereof) over time.
Results:
A Section:
(Championship & First Section)
Music/Entertainment/Presentation = Total
1. Friary Guildford (Chris King): 58/27/8 = 93
2. Soham Comrades (Jayne Murrill): 56/25/7 = 88
3. Horsham Borough (Andrew Kershaw): 55/25/7 = 87
4. Alder Valley Brass (Roger Burke): 55/23/7 = 85
5. Tilbury (Andrew Austin): 54/23/7 = 84
6. BAE Systems (Jonathan Crowhurst): 52/23/8 = 83
7. Otterbourne (Gareth Pritchard): 52/22/7 -1* = 80
Best Soloist: Richard Straker (cornet) — Friary Guildford
Best March: Friary Guildford
Highest unplaced First Section Band: Tilbury
Highest placed scaba Member Band: Friary Guildford
B Section:
(Second, Third & Youth)
Music/Entertainment/Presentation = Total
1. LGB Brass (Ian Stewart): 57/26/6 = 89
2. Amersham (Paul Fisher): 54/25/7 = 86
3. Hangleton (Richard Baker): 53/23/7 = 83
4. St Sebastian Wokingham (Lee Woodward): 53/22/6 = 81
5. Chichester City (Tim Cooper): 51/23/6 = 80
6. Hangleton Youth (Richard Baker): 47/20/5 = 72
7. Mole Valley Silver (Andrew Wilson): 48/18/5 = 71
8. Cobham (Glenn Hayter): 47/17/6 -2* = 68
9. Patcham Silver (James Benka-Coker): 49/15/6 -6* = 64
Best Soloist: Iona Harrison (cornet) — Chichester
Best Trombone Section: St Sebastian Wokingham
Best Compere/Conductor: Paul Fisher (Amersham)
Highest unplaced Third Section Band: Mole Valley
Highest placed Youth Band: Hangleton Youth
