South West Brass Band Association 2006

The decision to enter the South West Brass Band Association's 60th Annual Championships paid off for Michelmersh Silver Band last weekend as they earned a very creditable second place in the Second Section.

The Band had made the decision to forego entering the local Wessex Championships in favour of making the journey to Torquay to face the tougher opposition of the south-western bands in preparation for the regional qualifying contest for the 2007 National Championships. Band Contest Secretary Martin Prince explained, "We decided to pit ourselves against the very high standard of competition in Torquay as most of the bands we competed against will be our opposition at the Qualifiers, and also to familiarise ourselves with performing at the Riviera Centre where the contest is to be held in March of next year. We are absolutely delighted with the result."

Under the expert baton of new resident Musical Director Lawrence Butchart, the Band gave a masterly performance of the highly technical and melodic Philip Sparke test piece 'Diversions'. Based on variations on a Swedish folk song, the piece required The Band to display its dynamic range and the skill of its soloists to the full. Euphonium player Darren Walton was also awarded the Best Instrumentalist Trophy by the adjudicator who placed Michelmersh just one point behind the winning Phoenix Crewkerne Band.