Chalford Band Sparkle on 5th November
After Covid disrupted the Southwest Brass Band Association Competition for two years an impressive line up of 10 Bands entered the ‘Own Choice’ First and Championship combined Section in Torquay. MD Steve Tubb chose to play Sinfonietta No. 3 originally commissioned by the Association Suisse des Musiques (ASM) for the Fete Federale des Musiques in Montreux in 2016. It’s a wonderfully challenging energetic work in which lyrical material is altered by rhythmical patterns, jazzy elements and several cadenzas for different instruments.

After several weeks of preparation the Band held its final rehearsal in St Luke’s Church in Torquay before taking the stage in the Riviera Centre playing in number three position following the very capable Roche Brass playing Tallis Variations.

Chalford Band presented a confident and musical rendition of the challenging test piece with players and MD working to the day’s objective of ‘enjoyment of performance’, with the hope that everyone would come off stage saying – ‘I really enjoyed that’!

Objective achieved, and with stunning performances from Cornish Bands Cambourne, playing Fraternity and St Austell playing Coventry Variations, the results were announced at 6pm with Chalford taking trophies for the highest placed 1st Section Band and 2nd Place overall.

The Band are so very proud of this achievement having been methodically working its way back from the Covid lockdown. The band would like to thank its family members and supporters and look forward to the forthcoming Leicestershire Band Association Contest on the 20th of November.

The Band will be performing its Christmas Concert on 4th December Subscription Rooms Stroud (tickets going quickly) and Christmas on the Hill at the Chalford Sports and Social Club on 16th December.

SWBBA Annual Championships 2022 – Open Section Result
1st Camborne
2nd Chalford
3rd St Austell
4th Glastonbury
5th Sherborne
6th Roche Brass
7th Lanner and District
8th Sidmouth Town
9th Soundhouse Brass

Highest placed 1st Section Band – Chalford Band
Best Cornet Player – Camborne