Torquay Contest 2014

Sunday saw us make our annual trip to Torquay for the West of England Brass Band Championships. Competing under our new MD, Adam Glynn, we were prepped and ready to take to the stage and perform our version of Dr Michael Ball's, "Chaucers Tunes".

Overall we were pleased with our performance on stage, albeit there were a few nervous wobbles which we hadn't heard in rehearsals. Sadly these few blips cost us as we were placed 12th out of the 16 bands that competed.

New arrival

On Friday night Adam took a calll from our timpanist, Jim, who explained that his wfe had gone into labour several weeks early. Obviously band had to take second stage to the imminent arrival of his baby, so Jim had to pull out. Thankfully under these circumstances we were allowed to borrow the timpanist from the band that played before us (see below).

The great news is that Jim and Vicki became parents for the first time to a healthy baby girl. Congratulations Jim and Vicki from all at the band.

Thanks to our helpers

There were a few poeple which we need to thank who helped the band on Sunday. Firstly to Duncan Pavey, who represented us at the draw in the morning. Secondly to a few players who stepped in to help us on stage, these include: Jason, Graham and Liz (all cornet), Jaz (horn), Dave (percussion) and Glyn (2nd Trombone).

Finally a huge thanks to the timpanist from St. Keverne who stayed on stage to play with us, after our Jim was unavailable.

Looking to the future

There was a little confusion as to whether we had done enough to stay in the 2nd section (banding is graded like football divisions with your annual grading being taken on an average of the past 3 years' results). Whether we stay up seems to depend on the outcome of one band who were disqualified on Sunday for a breach of the association's rules.

Fingers crossed we'll stay up and keep our place in the 2nd section, but this does place us under a little pressure next year to get a good result.

Released On 10th Mar 2014