SCABA Autumn Contest Report
Saturday the 13th of October saw the band play in the SCABA Autumn Contest at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone. After last year’s cancelled event and no entry in the Spring, the band were keen to get back in to contesting and had spent numerous rehearsals on Goff Richards “Aeronauts”, an a-typical piece for the band, but one that many of us enjoyed playing.
Drawn eighth of eleven bands taking part in the second section, it wasn’t until late afternoon that the band finally reached the stage. Starting well and more importantly together with the hymn St. Clement, we continued in the same fashion with the test piece and gave an exciting and enjoyable performance (so noted by the adjudicator) that was at the end of the day perhaps the best we have played the piece.
This resulted in numerous positive responses by audience members and a 4th place in both contest piece and hymn tune from adjudicator Havid Hirst.
We were very pleased with the result particularly as the top band, new to our section and first time visitors from Belgium played to an exceptional standard (Lets hope they are promoted to the First section next year).
Not to be outdone by the trombones who have had several section prizes in the past, it was the turn of the Horn section to be awarded the “Pip Hall Memorial Trophy” for best Horn section. So well done to tenor horns Alan, Mark, Liz and Flugel player Chris who has mysteriously adopted the section as his own !
Even more surprising was the fact that Ian actually seemed to agree with the Adjudicators comment sheet so all in all a successful outing for the band.
The Aeronauts
In 1978 Goff Richards received a commission to write a Championship Test Piece for The West of England Bandsman’s Festival at Bugle. This resulted in The Aeronauts which mirrored his fascination for the world of aviation and reflects the dramatic and romantic aspects of flying.