Last Saturday, Camborne Band competed in the British Open Spring Festival at the Blackpool Winter Gardens under the direction of renowned conductor John Berryman. Playing Eric Ball’s masterpiece Journey Into Freedom, the band gave a well constructed interpretation which gained favour with both adjudicators, Lynda Nicholson and Simone Rebello.
Having been drawn to play 6 out of 20 bands, Camborne delivered the MD’s understated and controlled performance which was leading the competition until the later stages. A leading brass band publication 4Barsrest said “the dark thematic lines work so well, the deliberate mood with so much control that has true class, overall a very good performance of real calibre”.
John Berryman who was conducting his home-town band for the first time in competition said “this is a very proud and emotional day for me, the band did exactly was I asked of them which I commend them for, it was a quality performance from the first to last note”.
John Berryman who was conducting his home-town band for the first time in competition said “this is a very proud and emotional day for me, the band did exactly was I asked of them which I commend them for, it was a quality performance from the first to last note”.
Come the end of a long days contesting the results were announced in a packed auditorium to which Camborne came 3rd. The band now qualify to the Senior Cup next year, a feat the band has been trying to achieve for a long time. Band Chairman, Nick Sanders, said “this was an all round team effort today and it is a combination of hard work and determination for which the future looks bright indeed”.
The band can next be heard this Wednesday 15th May in concert with Johnny Cowling at the Princess Pavilions, Falmouth.
Results - Senior Trophy:
Test Piece: Journey into Freedom (Eric Ball)
Adjudicators: Lynda Nicholson & Simone Rebello
1. Newtongrange (Lee Skipsey)*
2. Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Trevor Carter)*
3. Camborne (John Berryman)*
4. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)*
5. Drighlington (Jim Davies)
6. Sovereign Brass (David Maplestone)
7. Friary Guildford (Chris King)
8. St Dennis (Darren Hawken)
9. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (John Ward)
10. Oldham Lees (Russell Gray)
11. Dalmellington (Archie Hutchison)
12. Unison Kinneil (Craig Anderson)
13. Easington Colliery (Chris Bentham)
14. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
15. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Gareth Ritter)
16. Hatfield Colliery (Stan Lippeatt)
17. Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins)
18. Wantage Silver A (Phillip Bailey)
19. Meltham & Meltham Mills (Norman Law)
20. Hade Edge (Simon Wood)
Best instrumentalist: Dessie Neill (cornet) - Laganvale (Metal Technology)
*Promoted to Senior Cup