The Ipswich and Norwich Co-Op Band are looking to enter a contest between late September and late November this year but, upon looking on the web, I can't find many dates listed. Preferably a test-piece contest rather than entertainments (although we'll consider either) can anybody recommend and give us dates and contact details for any events this year. We are Championship graded so that would also need to be available for entries. In particular does anybody know the dates or have more info for the Folkestone or Leamington Spa contests? Looking forward to some good suggestions.
HI Robin, Early October NWBBA Fleetwood Contest 1st week of October last year was the SCABA Folkestone contest There is a SWWBBA contest in early october as well Gloucester Association do a contest in early November I believe October is always Pontins Weekend as well. Cheers Rich
If your band fancied a wekend away then you could consider the following Scottish dates. September 2nd Brass in the Park Contest, Newtongrange Entertainment October 28th Fife Charities Open Contest, Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline March, Hymn Tune and Test Piece November 4th Whitburn Invitation Contest, Whitburn Academy Entertainment 26th Scottish Open Contest Test Piece There is of course Pontins in early November too.
The Oxford contest should run sometime around then too - I haven't got the date with me at the moment though.
You could consider the Leicester Contest. It's normally the weekend before Leamington, which is normally the last weekend in November. Both are own-choice testpiece contests. Not sure of the exact dates though - December 3rd is a Sunday, I'm assuming Leamington is the 25th November and Leicester is the 19th November. Can anyone confirm one or the other (or both)?
We have a contest in torquay in the 1st weekend in November, you should come down! I think it might be the one Bones quoted, but minus a "W" and in November rather than October!
Folkestone is always a great weekend, especially if you stay in Folkestone on the Saturday night, like we usually do. Checking the SCABA wesite, here, it seems the final date isn't confirmed, but last year it was 1st-2nd October. The Championship section is always on the Sunday afternoon. It's an own-choice test piece contest, usually with a hymn first, though they did drop that just for the 2004 contest (I think that's the right year) to save time. If you look on the site under "Officers and Officials", you'll see their contact details, and I'm sure someone should be able to tell you the most likely date this year.
Newtongrange is great fun, done it twice and I think United Co-op Yorkshire are there again this year. It is without a doubt, one of the best, and well-run, contests I have ever played at.... The beer tent is huge as well!!!! Andy
Brass in the park I'm sure isnt open to Championship bands unless it's changed. I've always thought it a pity but the turnout from the rest of the sections is good and it's a great day.
Wychavon, Leamington and Leicester are all decent contests. A good chance to vary rehearsals too as one is entertainments and the other two own choice test piece. You even get to see my smiley face there (maybe sober next time) so what more could you want! Hope to see you at Butlins sir.
wychaven is a decent contest although it's an entertainment contest, and in nov is the leicester contest which is own choice test piece, it's my favourite and always a good few TMPers there.
It hasn't run for the last couple of years, but we are very hopeful that it will run this year on October 1st. DaveR
