Bratton Silver Band members have been celebrating their greatest ever contest achievement in the band’s 155 year history, having won their section at 2014 West of England Regional Brass Band Championships.
A performance of the test piece ‘Partita for Band’ (Postcards from Home) – by Philip Wilby under the baton of their musical director Simon Carr, saw them win the ‘Third Section’ and gain a place in the National Championships to be held at Cheltenham later in the year.
Despite tough competition with 14 bands competing in their section, the band managed to excite the judges with its musical interpretation and came home with a large shield.
It was a joyous occasion for everyone, particularly for Bratton’s musical director Simon Carr, being the first major success of his three-year conducting career.
“I’m amazed,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to win this title again after playing with Mere Brass in 1993. I used to play E flat tuba with Yeovil and enjoyed a few successes here in Torquay, but to actually conduct a winning band is something else.”
Simon also paid tribute to Tom Davoren, a professional conductor who recently came to work with the band and helped him with his preparation. He said, “Tom really opened my eyes on how to work on a contest score.
“We are a growing band which is going from strength to strength, so we are going to celebrate this victory and then start planning to make a mark at Cheltenham.”
The West of England Regional Championships were held at the Riviera Centre, Torquay, on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th March with 76 brass bands competing in total. The band says it is incredibly proud of its achievement, adding that it is a significant moment in the band’s long history.
