There was an encouraging turn out of competing bands at the recent Gloucestershire Brass Band Association March & Own Choice contest held at All Saints Academy in Cheltenham.

The excellent facilities certainly enhanced the day for competitors and listeners alike with the smooth organisation also seeing bands enjoy the opportunity of having time to prepare in a warm up room before taking to the stage.

Delighted

After recent GBBA contests were cancelled due to insufficient entries, the GBBA committee was delighted with the latest response, with bands attracted from Essex, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, south Wales and Gloucestershire.

Adjudicator Steve Pritchard-Jones was also impressed by what he heard, praising the standard of all bands and the diversity of the music performed.

The Class A honors went to Forest of Dean led by Chris Howley, whilst section awards were picked up by Chinnor, Malvern Hills and City of Bristol Learners, with a host of individual and ensemble awards.

There was also the first presentation of a new youth band prize in memory of Fred Pensom who recently passed away. Fred was a long time player in the Forest of Dean, a good friend of the GBBA and an advocate for encouraging youth in brass banding.

Adjudicator Steve Pritchard-Jones was also impressed by what he heard, praising the standard of all bands and the diversity of the music performed4BR

Results:

Class A: (Championship/First Section)

Own Choice:

1. Forest of Dean Brass
2. Wotton under Edge

Best Instrumentalist: flugel (Forest of Dean Brass)
Winning Conductor: Chris Howley

March:
1. Wotton under Edge
2. Forest of Dean Brass

Class B/C: (Second/Third/Fourth Section)

Own Choice work:
1. Chinnor
2. Bream Silver
3. Abergavenny Borough
4. Cinderford
5. Arrow Valley
6. Tilbury
7. Malvern Hills

Best Instrumentalist: flugel (Chinnor)

March:
1. Chinnor
2. Cinderford
3. Abergavenny Borough
4. Bream Silver
5. Arrow Valley
6. Tilbury
7. Malvern Hills

Highest Placed Fourth Section Band: Malvern Hills District
Highest Placed Third Section Band: Cinderford
Highest Placed Second Section Band: Chinnor

Fourth Section Prizes:
John Jones Memorial Trophy: Trombones (Malvern Hills)
Boosey & Hawkes Challenge Cup (Best March): Malvern Hills
Test Piece: Malvern Hills
Winning Conductor: Chris Licence (Malvern Hills)

Class D: (Training/Youth/Unregistered)

Gold Award: City of Bristol Leaners

Gold Award: Lydbrook Training
Silver Award: Lydney Training

Best Instrumentalist: soprano (City of Bristol Learners)
Youngest Player: City of Bristol Learners
Band with most players under the age of 14: Lydbrook Training
Best Section: Trombones (City of Bristol Learners)

Special Awards: (All Classes)

Best Cornet Player: Forest of Dean Brass
Best Flugel Player: Forest of Dean Brass
Best Horn Section: Chinnor
Best Euphonium Player: Chinnor
Best Bass Section: Forest of Dean Brass
Best Percussion Section: Bream
Best Instrumentalist: Principal Cornet (Forest of Dean Brass)