BRATTON Silver Band competed in the National Brass Band Championships in Cheltenham last weekend.
The silver band, directed by Simon Carr, placed 16th in the third section national finals after qualifying by winning the West of England regional competition in March this year.
They were drawn to give the first performance of the day at Cheltenham Racecourse, and kicked off the section 3 competition with a rendition of Victor Ewald’s ‘Symphony for Brass’.
Bratton Silver Band played in the fourth section finals in 1992, 1996, 2003, 2004 and 2011, but 2014 was their first foray into Section 3. Adjudicator John Winterflood described the band’s performance as “a good effort”.
Musical director Simon Carr said, “Well done to everyone, lovely band sounds; together and controlled. I am proud of you all.” A spokesman for the band said, “We placed 16th but had some real positives to take home to work on, and we had a great weekend in Cheltenham!”
The band competed against 17 others, and section 3 was won by Wales’ Ebbw Valley Brass Band. The championships are divided into four numbered sections and a championship section.
Bratton Silver Band was established in 1859 and rehearses twice a week at the Bratton Church Institute. To find out more, visit www.brattonsilverband.com or find them on Facebook and Twitter.
