The 20th Exmouth Brass Band Festival promoted and organised by the South West Brass Band Association resulted in a great day of brass banding.
10 competitors each gave fine 30 minute concert programme performances in the town's Pavilion in pursuit of the Exmouth Town Council Challenge Trophy, in their bid to both entertain the audience as well as catch the ear of adjudicator Steve Pritchard-Jones.
In addition the bands also took to adjacent Pavilion Gardens to provide the general public with entertainment with further half an hour concert programmes.
Winners
In the end it was the First Section SW Comms that took the honours for the third time in the last four years ahead of Sherborne Town with Phoenix Brass in third.
It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm and enjoyment on the faces of the young players of all the bands throughout the day, especially Lanner Academy Band. They gained first prize in the Ungraded Section, as well as picking up the prize as being the 'Best Entertaining Band' at both the contest and in the Gardens.
With a bright start at 10.00am, the contest was packed with great music making, with the prize giving ceremony led by Chairman of SWBBA, Ray Kingdon, and Exmouth Town Council Mayor Councilor Steve Gazzard.
Following the results there was still time for a short massed bands concert performed by many of the day's competitors in the Pavilion Gardens, conducted by Steve Pritchard-Jones.
Thanks
A spokesperson told 4BR: "The Association is greatly indebted to the Exmouth Town Council, LED Leisure and Trevada Music for their generous support of the Festival, and to Leisure East Devon and management and staff of The Pavilion for their logistical assistance in promoting the Festival."
Result:
Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard Jones
1. SW Comms
2. Sherborne Town
3. Phoenix Brass
4. Soundhouse Brass
5. Bideford Town
6. Indian Queens
7. Tiverton Town
8. Lanner Brass Academy
9. Newquay Town
10. Appledore Band
Best Section Prizes:
Overall: SW Comms
First Section: SW Comms
Second Section: Phoenix Brass
Third Section: Indian Queens
Fourth Section: Bideford Town
Ungraded: Lanner Brass Academy
Solo Prizes:
Best Trombone: Phoenix Brass
Best Percussion: Bideford Town
Best Soloist: SW Comms
Best Contest Entertainment: Lanner Brass Academy
Best Garden Entertainment: Lanner Brass Academy
