Friary Brass claimed the double honours at the annual Wessex Contest in Bournemouth as their polished renditions of 'A Brussels Requiem' and 'ORB' took the separate awards on offer.

The 2026 Grand Shield contender showed their quality under MD Nigel Taken as they secured a first victory at the event, which celebrated its 68th anniversary this year.

Sandhurst Silver continued their encouraging form under MD Joshua Ruck as they reprised Philip Sparke's 2024 European test-piece 'A Road Less Travelled', on which they won the recent Rochdale Contest, to end runner-up.

The final podium place went to former champion, Verwood Concert Brass, as the West of England band rounded off a solid year of progress under Kevin Smith performing 'Metropolis 1927'.

Ben Halstead took his final conducting bow with Hyde Band as the First Section band ended fourth with their performance of Etienne Crausaz's 'Sinfonietta No.3' ahead of Michelmersh Silver ('Of Distant Memories'), and defending champion, Medway ('Paganini Variations').

Silverware

A huge array of individual silverware was also on offer, with Friary picking up accolades for 'Best Cornet' (Richard Straker), 'Best Euphonium' (Chris Straker), and 'Best Musical Direction' (Nigel Taken) in addition to the separate March prize.

Speaking about their contest success, Friary later posted on their Facebook page that they had enjoyed "a great day at the seaside".

Result:

Adjudicator: John Ward
Own Choice test-piece

1. Friary Brass (Nigel Taken)
2. Sandhurst Silver (Joshua Ruck)
3. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith)
4. Hyde (Ben Halstead)
5. Michelmersh Silver (Kevin Smith)
6. Medway (Alan Gifford)
7. Bournemouth Concert Brass (Lloyd Bartlett)
8. Horsham Borough (Wil Wilkins)
9. Verwood Town (Kevin Smith)
10. Poole Brough (Andrew Elliot)
11. Downton (Lloyd Bartlett)
12. Verwood Community Brass (Mike Dunnings)
13. Downton Training (Miriam Dubas)

March:

1. Friary Brass
2. Medway
3. Sandhurst Silver

Awards:

Best Musical Direction: Nigel Taken (Friary Brass)
Best Instrumentalist: Andy Ashworth (soprano) — Sandhurst
Best Cornet: Richard Straker (Friary Brass)
Best Euphonium: Chris Straker (Friary Brass)
Best Percussion Section: Sandhurst

Best A Section March: Friary Brass
Best B Section March: Verwood Town

Youngest Players: Amiah Hughes, Downtown Training and Jessica Singleton-Legg, Verwood Community

Best Player: Cornet (Verwood Community Brass)
Best Section: Flugel and Horns (Downton Training)
Best Horn Section: Verwood Concert Brass
Best Trombone Section: Hyde
Best Bass Section: Sandhurst