The Band on Saturday 18th October 2008 entered the third section of Southern Counties Amateur Bands Association, Autumn Contest at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. The adjudicator was Roy Sparkes. The Band played the hymn tune, Beethoven followed by Ronald Hanmer’s, Mexican Fiesta. The Band was placed seventh (7th) out of nine (9) in the test piece and the adjudicators’ comments were generally good expressing that the style and musicality had been interpreted correctly. However, the Band is pleased to have WON the hymn tune contest returning with another trophy – a silver cup and certificate! David Ruel is more than pleased with the result, believing that the test of a brass band is how well it plays a hymn tune – the adjudicators comments read, “Good start, well balanced and in tune – nicely controlled – First”.
The Bands’ live performance at the Challenging Brass Contest was broadcast in its entirety on Sunday 12th October 2008 at 4.00p.m. on Brooklands FM, Community Radio for North-West Surrey. The Challenging Brass Contest was held at Addlestone Community Centre on 21st September 2008, which saw three other bands, Staines Lammas, Godalming and Mole Valley Band also competing. The thirty minute slot on Brooklands FM was dedicated to Cobham’s programme which opened with Napoleon Gallop; Napoleon (Overture); The Bold Gendarmes (Trombone Trio); Les Champs Elysees, closing with the test-piece march, Wellington.
