Report & Results: 2026 ODBBA Winter Contest

Michelmersh Silver, Chinnor Silver, Towcester Studio, Avonbank (Evesham), City of Oxford Silver lead the way in showcasing their Area preparations

A fine turn out of bands took the opportunity to present their 'work in progress' preparations ahead of their forthcoming Area battles in Bedworth, Torquay, Swansea and Stevenage as they took to the stage in Witney for the annual Oxfordshire & District BBA Winter Contest.

Adjudicator Steve Pritchard-Jones certainly had plenty to ponder in each section with their performances of 'Elgar Variations', 'Variations on 'Was Lebet'', '20,000 Leagues under the Sea', 'Three Haworth Impressions' and 'Indian Summer', whilst there was also some great own-choice variety on show in the Unregistered Section.

Michelmersh victory

In a keenly fought Championships Section, victory went to Michelmersh Silver as they boosted their 'Elgar' confidence ahead of their West of England challenge in a few weeks' time by taking the honours ahead of Tongwynlais Temperance from Wales and Regent Brass for London & SC.

Led by Kevin Smith, the band came fifth at Torquay last year, and with an extra Albert Hall qualification place of offer, the performance will have given them a good idea of what they need to further polish up on in the coming fortnight.

As they later stated on their Facebook page: "Today was a very good day! We loved performing the piece and look forward to the next two weeks of hard work before we head to Torquay."

Chinnor victory

Just a point also separated each of the prize winners in the First Section as newly promoted Chinnor Silver secured a fine victory under Chris Andrews with their solid account of Andrew Wainwright's 'Was Lebet' Area set-work.

They later stated: "We competed in the First Section for the first time — a big milestone for the band and our new Musical Director Chris Andrews. We're beyond delighted to have been awarded 1st place, as well as Best Bass Section. We couldn't be prouder."

Fellow Stevenage contender St Sebastian Wokingham was second with Midlands contender Rushden Town in third.

Towcester's dip

Towcester Studio successfully dipped their toes into the deep waters of Philip Harper's '20,000 Leagues under the Sea', ahead of their forthcoming Midlands Area appearance in Bedworth, as they claimed the title from the Torquay bound pairing of Shrewton Silver and Wooton under Edge & District.

Avonbank's fine impression

Avonbank (Evesham) retained the Third Section title they won last year as they produced a fine account of 'Three Haworth Impressions' under Micah Dominic Parson, who the following day was listening to the performances of the same work as part of his AoBBA professional development training in Blackpool.

Fellow Midlanders, Shipston Town was second with Stevenage bound Tadley Concert Brass in third.

Encouraging

It was highly encouraging to see nine bands take to the stage in the Fourth Section where defending champion City of Oxford Silver topped the 'Indian Summer' performances under MD, Douglas Brown.

In what promises to be an equally hard fought battle in Stevenage in a few week's time (the bands all came in the top 5 in 2025), close on their heels were podium finishers Brighton & Hove City with Wantage Academy in third.

In the Unregistered Section, Hook Norton took the honours with a very nicely worked rendition of 'Oregon' to finish a clear four points ahead of Coleshill Youth ('Stantonbury Festival') and Chinnor Training ('Oregon').

Today was a very good day! We loved performing the piece and look forward to the next two weeks of hard work before we head to Torquay.Michelmersh Silver