Exmouth Brass Band Festival
Competitors at the Festival perform in an Open format to claim the 'Exmouth Town Council Challenge Trophy'.
Competitors at the Festival perform in an Open format to claim the 'Exmouth Town Council Challenge Trophy'.
Late July Update:: It is with great sadness and disappointment that the Exmouth Festival of Brass scheduled for 3rd September 2022 has had to be cancelled. The SWBBA Executive Committee took this painful decision as the event would not be viable or pragmatic to run with only the five bands that had entered. Read full press release »
Early July Update: At the closing date for entries to the Exmouth Festival of Brass (8th July) we have just five bands entered.
Unfortunately, unless we can encourage more bands to support this highly enjoyable event, it will not be practical to go ahead with such a low number of entries (15 makes a good day of banding). We are very much aware of all the problems bands are facing post-covid and understand that not all bands are in a position to commit at this point in time.
After the Covid-enforced break of two years, we would very much like to bring this Festival back or it could be gone for ever.
In light of this, SWBBA are now extending the closing date to Friday 22nd July. If, by then, there are still not enough bands entered, we will regrettably be forced to cancel this event. In these circumstances bands who have already entered will be refunded entry fees.
Entries are now open to the 21st Exmouth Brass Band Festival, to be held on the 3rd September 2022 at the Exmouth Pavilion, promoted and organized by the South West Brass Band Association. A maximum entry of 15 bands from South West with over 500 band players and supporters descending on Exmouth for the day. Each band will compete in the Exmouth Pavilion for the "Exmouth Town Council Challenge Trophy", presenting a 25-minute programme of own-choice music to the Adjudicator, Mr Sam Fisher.
Additionally, throughout the day, the same bands will entertain the general public with 30-minute concerts in the adjacent Pavilion Gardens.
Returning after a 2-year break due to the pandemic, this is a day to be enjoyed by bands and public alike, and an opportunity for our bands to demonstrate the best in live brass band entertainment here in the South West. The day's events commence at 10am concluding with the results and presentation ceremony when it is hoped that the Mayor of Exmouth, and the President of the South West Brass Band Association, Mrs Sue Richards, will present the trophies to the winning bands.
SWBBA is greatly indebted to the Exmouth Town Council for their generous support of the Festival, and to Leisure East Devon and management and staff of The Pavilion for their assistance in promoting the Festival.
Closing date for entries is extend to Friday 22nd July 2022.
The 20th Exmouth Brass Band Festival held on 7th September, promoted and organised by the South West Brass Band Association, resulted in a great day of brass banding. The 10 competing bands all gave spirited performances in the Exmouth Pavilion, vying for the "Exmouth Town Council Challenge Trophy" by presenting a 30-minute programme of own-choice music to Adjudicator Mr Steve Pritchard-Jones. Additionally, throughout the day, the same bands entertained the general public with half hour concerts in the adjacent Pavilion Gardens.
It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm and enjoyment in the faces of the young players of all the bands especially the Lanner Brass Academy, who were rewarded with an outstanding result. They were awarded 1st Prize in the Ungraded Section, Gardens Best Entertaining Band of the Day, and Contest Best Entertaining Band of the Day.
It was a wonderful day of brass band music and the weather was again very kind to us, meaning all bands were able to take part in the Gardens concerts.
The day's events commenced at 10am and concluded with the results and presentation ceremony at around 4.00pm when the Chairman of SWBBA, Mr Ray Kingdon, and Exmouth Town Council Mayor Councilor Steve Gazzard presented the trophies to the winning bands and individuals.
Following the results and prize giving, the finale of a short Massed Band concert was performed by many of the day's competitors in the Pavilion Gardens, conducted by Steve Pritchard-Jones, our adjudicator for the day. This proved very popular with the bands and public alike!
The Association is greatly indebted to the Exmouth Town Council, LED Leisure and Trevada Music for their generous support of the Festival, and to Leisure East Devon and management and staff of The Pavilion for their logistical assistance in promoting the Festival.
Lanner Brass Academy Band with their Musical Director Lee Rouse, after their victories in winning both the Best Gardens Concert and the Best Overall Entertaining Band.
| Drawn | Band (+Section) | Contest | Gardens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Soundhouse Brass (1st) | 04 | 04 |
| 02 | Bideford Town Band (4th) | 05 | 06 = |
| 03 | Sherborne Town Band (1st) | 02 | 05 |
| 04 | Appledore Band (UnG) | 10 | 10 |
| 05 | Indian Queens Band (3rd) | 06 | 09 |
| 06 | SW Comms (1st) | 01 | 02 |
| 07 | Newquay Town Band (4th) | 09 | 03 |
| 08 | Tiverton Town Band (4th) | 07 | 08 |
| 09 | Phoenix Brass (2nd) | 03 | 06 = |
| 10 | Lanner Brass Academy (UnG) | 08 | 01 |
Although entries were lower than previous years, the 19th Exmouth Brass Band Festival held on 1st September, promoted and organised by the South West Brass Band Association still resulted in a great day of brass banding. The 6 competing bands all gave spirited performances in the Exmouth Pavilion for the "Exmouth Town Council Challenge Trophy", presenting a 30-minute programme of own-choice music to Adjudicator Mr David Marshall. Additionally, throughout the day, the same bands entertained the general public with half hour concerts in the adjacent Pavilion Gardens.
It was a wonderful day of brass band music and the weather was again very kind to us, meaning all bands were able to take part in the Gardens concerts.
The day's events commenced at 11am and concluded with the results and presentation ceremony at around 3.30pm when the Chairman of SWBBA, Mr Ray Kingdon, and Councillor Richard Scott presented the trophies to the winning bands and individuals.
Following the results and prize giving, the finale of a short Massed Band concert was performed by most of the days competitors in the Pavilion Gardens, conducted by David Marshall, our adjudicator for the day. This proved very popular with the bands and public alike!
The Association is greatly indebted to the Exmouth Town Council, LED Leisure and Trevada Music for their generous support of the Festival, and to Leisure East Devon and management and staff of The Pavilion for their logistical assistance in promoting the Festival.
Photo courtesy of Emma Dennis
| Drawn | Band (+Section) | Contest | Gardens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appledore Town Band (UnG) | W | W |
| 2 | Indian Queens Band (3rd) | 04 | 02 |
| 3 | Camelford Town Band (UnG) | 06 | 04 |
| 4 | Bideford Town Band (4th) | 03 | 05 |
| 5 | Lanner Brass Academy (UnG) | 05 | 06 |
| 6 | South Molton Town Band (3rd) | 02 | 03 |
| 7 | Weston Brass (2nd) | 01 | 01 |
The 18th Exmouth Brass Band Festival, promoted and organised by the South West Brass Band Association, attracted an entry of 13 bands from Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset with over 500 band persons descending on Exmouth for the day. Each band competed in the Exmouth Pavilion for the "Exmouth Town Council Challenge Trophy", presenting a 25-minute programme of own-choice music to the two Adjudicators, Mr David Hirst and Mr Darren Hawken. Additionally, throughout the day, the same bands entertained the general public with 30-minute concerts in the adjacent Pavilion Gardens.
It was a wonderful day of brass band music and the weather was kind to us (unlike last year!), meaning all bands were able to take part in the Gardens concerts.
The day's events commenced at 10am and concluded with the results and presentation ceremony at around 6.30pm when the Mayor of Exmouth, Councillor Brian Cole, and the President of the South West Brass Band Association, Mrs Sue Richards, presented the trophies to the winning bands.
The Association is greatly indebted to the Exmouth Town Council and Trevada Music for their generous support of the Festival, and to Leisure East Devon and management and staff of The Pavilion for their logistical assistance in promoting the Festival.
| Drawn | Band (+Section) | Musicality | Entertainment | Gardens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sidmouth Town Band (1st) | 6 | 7 | 9 |
| 2 | Pendeen Silver Band (4th) | 11 | 10 | 13 |
| 3 | Wincanton Silver Band (4th) | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| 4 | Newquay Town Band (4th) | 12 | 9 | 7 |
| 5 | Redruth Town Band (4th) | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| 6 | Lostwithiel Town Band (4th) | 8 | 12 | 2 |
| 7 | Camelford Town Band (Un/G) | 13 | 13 | 12 |
| 8 | Bideford Town Band (4th) | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| 9 | Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne) (2nd) | 10 | 11 | 11 |
| 10 | Indian Queens Band (4th) | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| 11 | South Molton Town Band (3rd) | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| 12 | Weston Brass (2nd) | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| 13 | SW Comms (1st) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
The 17th Exmouth Brass Band Festival, promoted and organised by the South West Brass Band Association, has attracted a maximum entry of 14 bands from Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset with over 500 band persons descending on Exmouth for the day. Each band will compete in the Exmouth Pavilion for the "Exmouth Town Council Challenge Trophy", presenting a 25-minute programme of own-choice music to the Adjudicator. Additionally, throughout the day, the same bands will entertain the general public with 30-minute concerts in the adjacent Pavilion Gardens.
This is a day to be enjoyed by all, bands and public alike, and an opportunity for our bands to demonstrate the best in brass banding here in the South West. The day's events commence at 10am concluding with the results and presentation ceremony at around 6.45pm when the Deputy Mayor of Exmouth, Councillor Jeff Trail, and the President of the South West Brass Band Association, Mrs Sue Richards, will present the trophies to the winning bands.
The Association is greatly indebted to the Exmouth Town Council and Trevada Music for their generous support of the Festival, and to Leisure East Devon and management and staff of The Pavilion for their logistical assistance in promoting the Festival.
The contest will be held at The Pavilion in Exmouth ( View Larger Map » ).
The Adjudicator for the day will be Sarah Groarge-Booth, who is making her first appearance in the South West.
Tickets to the Entertainment Contest are priced at £8 (concessions £6) available on the day.
The table below shows winners from previous years.
| Year | Winning Band [Conductor] |
|---|---|
| 2019 | SW Comms |
| 2018 | Weston Brass |
| 2017 | South West Communications |
| 2016 | South West Communications [Chris Spreadbury] |