West of England Regionals 2002

The first Sunday in April 2002 proved to be an auspicious and exciting day for Michelmersh Band. At the Colston Hall in Bristol they beat off strong opposition from eighteen other bands to become Third Section Champions in the Boosey & Hawkes West of England Brass Band Championships. Weeks of hard work and a gruelling rehearsal schedule paid off as their performance of Winchester's own Salvation Army Bandmaster and Composer Kenneth Downie's test piece "St Austell Suite" earned glowing praise from adjudicator Michael Fowles. In his comments on stage, he referred to Michelmersh's performance as the highlight of the two-day championship for him, admitting that the Band's moving interpretation of the haunting second movement of the piece had brought a tear to his eye.

This achievement follows the Band's December success at the Wessex Brass Band Championships, and is the second successive victory under the baton of Brian Kelloway. Brian's huge contribution to the Band was also acknowledged by the adjudicator who simply ended his report on the performance with the words "BRAVO MD!"

Prior to the contest our Eb Bass player, Terry Parsons, vowed to shave off his beard if the Band won. Once the result was announced, the beard had to go! It was a smooth chinned Terry that joined the rest of the Band in their celebrations the following evening.

As West of England Champions, Michelmersh Silver Band qualify to compete in the Natonal Championships to be held in Torquay in September. In order to finance this trip, the Band are planning various fundraising events throughout the summer.