At the end of April Tewkesbury Town Band made its annual trip to Hungerford to participate in the Phoenix Festival of Brass, a relaxed and enjoyable competitive music festival for Fourth Section Bands organised by Phoenix Brass.

Change

In a refreshing change to many UK contests, the festival adjudicator speaks his comments onto a recording of the bands performance and also sits out in the open enabling him to enjoy the visual experience of the concert performances as well. The entertainment prize is decided separately by a panel of six judges.

It was a good day for Tewkesbury as they were awarded first place in the hymn tune, first place for their entertainment programme and first place overall4BR

Entertainment programme

After playing 'Eventide', the band’s selected hymn tune, they opened their entertainment programme with 'Hymn to the Mountain' by the young Swiss composer Etienne Crausaz.

This was followed by another Swiss arrangement, by Jean-Francois Michel, of ‘O Happy Day’ before the band's cornet section featured in 'Mexican Holiday'.

Soloist

Tewkesbury’s soloist of the day was Martyn Sudworth playing 'Czardas'. The calm of 'All in the April Evening' was followed by 'Charter Fair' from Peter Graham’s 'Haslemere Suite' to finish their performance.

Good day

It was a good day for Tewkesbury as they were awarded first place in the hymn tune, first place for their entertainment programme and first place overall. The band’s conductor, Nigel Morgan said that it was like waiting for buses; no wins for a while then three turn up together.

The prize for the best soloist of the day went to the principal cornet of the Cricklade Band and the best bass section of the day went to Midsomer Norton and Radstock Silver Band.