scaba's annual entertainment contest took place at The Hawth in Crawley, with bands playing a great selection of music to an appreciative audience, as well as adjudicators Glyn and Helen Williams.

The Cory Band stars were on their first visit to the event, and said they left thoroughly impressed by both the standard of the playing as well as the excellent organisation that made for a suitably entertaining day.

The duo had a total of 100 points available to award each performance, with Glyn listening for the music element and Helen taking care of the content/entertainment and presentation/deportment.

Section A:

In the A Section, Otterbourne Brass carried on their fine run of contesting form with victory under the baton of Melvin White — chalking up their sixth top-two finish in a row, and giving themselves a huge boost of confidence as they start to look towards the Second Section National Finals in Cheltenham in September.

In a closely battled series of 24 minute sets, Bedford Town was second with Sandhurst Silver in third.

Significant step

"It's been another significant step in the right direction,"Melvin told 4BR. "The band works so hard and has a great attitude towards challenging themselves with new music. I really enjoy my trips down to Hampshire as they are always looking to improve. "

On a personal note Melvin was also delighted to become the first recipient of the Kenneth Dennison Memorial Cup, presented in honour of the former Fairey Band trombonist and conductor who spent many happy years living and working in the Association's area.

"It's a real honour. Ken was such a great help to me in my early years of conducting and I was always able to go back to him for advice and even just for a chat. He was an exceptional musician and this award is a fitting way for him to be remembered."

Pushed hard

Otterbourne was certainly pushed hard for the honours. However, their well-worked set that included a brace of new arrangements from the wind band medium, a touch of Billy Joel, some classic Carpenters and the 'Best March', Henry Fillmore's classic, 'Rolling Thunder', saw them pip Bedford Town as the music performance element held sway.

Trombonist Nick West also picked up the 'Best Soloist' award for his performance of 'We've Only Just Begun'.

Section B:

In the B Section there was victory for another form band, as Amersham under Paul Fisher retained their title with a clear-cut victory over their nearest rivals LGB Brass, with Crystal Palace in third.

"The result has come just at the right time,"MD Paul Fisher told 4BR. "We are currently in the middle of one of the most important and busiest time in the band's recent history.

We have the National Finals in Cheltenham to come, have a concert with the amazing Mike Lovatt and Foden's Band in a few weeks time and we are putting the finishing touches to our application to open our Academy through the local council. This showed that all the hard work the players have been putting in around the stands has paid off too."

12 year old Acrobat

Amersham opened with 'O.B. 1 Fanfare' followed by 'Alleluia Amen' and 'I Know Though Art Mine', before 12 year old trombonist Emily Nicholas wowed everyone with her rendition of 'The Acrobat'. They rounded things off with 'Escape Velocity'.

LGB Brass didn't go away empty handed as their solo euphonium John Smith took the 'Best Soloist' prize and their trombone team taking the section award.

During the B Section results ceremony, a special presentation was made to Colin and Sybil Morrison, stalwarts of the scaba Executive Committee and the London & Southern Counties regional team, honouring 50 years of service to brass banding.

With thanks to Alex Stevens

It's been another significant step in the right direction. The band works so hard and has a great attitude towards challenging themselves with new musicOtterbourne MD, Melvin White

Results:

A Section:

Championship & First Section:
Adjudicators: Glyn & Helen Williams
Music/entertainment/deportment = total

1. Otterbourne Brass (Melvin White): 56/27/8 = 91*
2. Bedford Town (Steve Philips): 54/28/9 = 91
3. Sandhurst Silver (Andrew Porter): 51/26/9 = 86
4. Tilbury (Ben Jones): 47/26/7 = 80

Best Soloist: Nick West (trombone) — Otterbourne
Best Performed March: Otterbourne
Best Conductor: Melvin White (Otterbourne)
Highest unplaced First Section Band: Tilbury
Highest placed scaba Member Band: Otterbourne

B Section:

Second, Third & Youth Section:
Adjudicators: Glyn & Helen Williams
Music/entertainment/deportment = total

1. Amersham (Paul Fisher): 54/30/10** (-2) = 92
2. LGB Brass (Ian Stewart): 52/27/9 = 88
3. Crystal Palace (Danny Wakefield): 44/ 25/9 = 78
4. St Sebastian Wokingham (Nigel Howard): 48/ 21/7 = 76*
5. Brighton & Hove City Brass (Matthew Hackett): 46/23/7= 76
6. Chichester City (Rom Stanko): 42/22/8 = 72

Hangleton Youth played for adjudication only

Best Soloist: Jon Smith (euphonium) — LGB Brass
Best Trombone Section: LGB Brass
Best Compere/Conductor: Nigel Howard (St Sebastian Wokingham)

* Music mark takes precedent
** Time penalty