*
banner

Report & Results: 2015 scaba Autumn Contest

A reduced field of competitors but still plenty of fine music making on show in Crawley.

Wantage
 

scaba (Southern Counties Amateur Band Association) held their annual Autumn Contest at the Hawth in Crawley on the weekend, where adjudicator Nick Garman enjoyed performances of march, hymn tune and 'own choice' test pieces from 16 bands.

Year of the Dragon

In the Championship Section there was a fine performance of 'The Year of the Dragon' by Wantage Silver directed by debutant Craig Patterson to enjoy, although it was a pity that the band was the only entrant.

However, Craig made it a personal 'double' as he led Milton Keynes to success in the First Section, with welcome French visitors, Brass Band Atout Vent directed by William Houssoy taking the Second Section honours and Crystal Palace the Third Section title.

Entries

scaba Secretary Alex Stevens told 4BR: "Unfortunately the availability of the venue meant the contest was a couple of weeks earlier this year, which may have affected the level of entries with some bands, particularly the youth bands, not having enough time to prepare after their Summer break.

We are pleased to confirm that the 2016 contest will on the later date of 25th September.

Unfortunately the availability of the venue meant the contest was a couple of weeks earlier this year, which may have affected the level of entries with some bandsscaba Secretary Alex Stevens

Results:

Championship Section:

1. Wantage Silver (Craig Patterson)

Best March: Wantage Silver
Best Hymn Tune: Wantage Silver
Best Percussion Section: Wantage Silver
Best Bass Section: Wantage Silver
Conductor Prize: Wantage Silver
Best Instrumentalist: Mike Wallbridge
Best Euphonium: Sam Wyne

First Section:

1. Milton Keynes Brass (Craig Patterson)
2. Epsom & Ewell (Paul Graham)
3. BAE Systems (Jonathan Crowhurst)
4. Horsham Borough (Jack Smith)

Best Hymn: Horsham Borough
Best March: Epsom & Ewell
Best Instrumentalist: Rachel Scott (Milton Keynes)
Best Euphonium: Kevin Kavanagh (Milton Keynes)
Best Bass Section: Milton Keynes
Conductor Prize: Epsom & Ewell

Second Section:

1. Brass Band Atout Vent (William Houssoy)
2. Regent Community Brass (Chris Bearman)
3. LGB Brass (Ian Stewart)
4. Epping Forest (Keith Schroeter)
5. Cold Ash Brass (Jemma Evans)
6. Chichester City (Tim Cooper)
7. Shanklin Town (Malcolm Lewis)

Best Hymn: Brass Band Atout Vent
Best March: Brass Band Atout Vent
Best instrumentalist: Amaud Peru (Atout Vent)
Best Solo Horn: Peter Maartens (Atout Vent)
Best Horn Section: Best Percussion (Atout Vent)
Conductor Prize: Chris Bearman (Regent Community Brass)

Third Section:

1. Crystal Palace (Michael Gray)
2. Cobham (Glenn Hayter)
3. Snowdown Colliery (Keith Twyman)
4. Mole Valley (Andrew Wilson)

Best Hymn: Crystal Palace
Best March: Crystal Palace
Best instrumentalist: James Simpson (Cobham)
Best Back Row Cornets: Crystal Palace
Best Percussion: Crystal Palace
Best Bass Section: Cobham
Conductor Prize: Crystal Palace

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


4BR Podcast

4BR British Open preview podcast

September 9 • Join 4BR to air your views and opinions this evening at 7.00pm ahead of this year's British Open Championship at Symphony Hall.


Sphere success

British Open Countdown: T minus 3

September 9 • The form guide for the bookies on who has previously tasted success on 'Music of the Spheres' doesn't give much away...


York Barbican

Wobplay video recordings to be made at York National Finals

September 8 • Full video recordings will be made of all the performances at the forthcoming York Barbican National Finals.


Sydney City

British Open Countdown: T minus 4

September 8 • Sydney City Brass is the latest Australian band to try an emulate their remarkable predecessors in winning the famous British Open Gold Shield.


The Hepworth Band - Public Rehearsal ahead of the 2026 British Open

Tuesday 8 September • Ossett Town Hall, Market Place, Ossett WF5 8BE


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

September 8 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on Monday (14th) at 11am in our bandroom.. We welcome players of all abilities who wish to join us in a relaxed friendly rehearsal.. It also involves tea and cake and its free to all..


Barnsley Brass

September 6 • We are looking to recruit a Flugel Horn and Back Row Cornet players. We are based in Worsbrough Bridge by the A61 south of Barnsley. S70 5LJ. Rehearsals are Mondays / Thursdays at 8pm in our purpose-built band room..


Enderby Band

September 5 • Championship section band seeking CORNETS (positions negotiable), Eb BASS, and PERCUSSIONISTS to join our committed, hard-working and friendly team, performing a balanced diary of concerts and contests.


James McLeod

BMus (hons)
Euphonium Soloist, Teacher and Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd