The first National BB Brass Band Association Music Festival was a new venture for us since we were previously involved (particularly the brass) in the BB National Brass Band Contest.
Participants came from as far afield as Doncaster to be involved. There was also local BB and GB involvement from around south Hampshire.
The Festival, although non-competitive, encouraged the individual as well as the team to perform to their highest standard. Performances which are clear, concise and communicate to the audience, bridging the gap between technical ability and artistic nuances, achieve very creditable results.
There were 34 entries in three class groups: brass, woodwind and voice. Entries were fielded by Junior section and Company section groups to form choirs as well as 'brigade friends' from different companies coming together to put forward an entry.
The adjudication was provided by two musicians: Simon Morgan and Simon Pontin, who have established backgrounds in the music industry. Their expertise and professionalism was put across with positive enthusiasm and was a joy to hear.
The broad marking range for participants was:
| Fair | 75-77 | A performance limited in its communications |
| Promising | 78-80 | A performance showing development of technique and/or communications |
| Merit | 81-83 | A capable performance showing some artistic appreciation and/or technical ability |
| Highly Commended | 84-86 | A convincing performance technically and artistically |
| Distinction | 87-89 | An excellent performance technically and artistically |
| Honours | 90+ | An exceptional performance technically and artistically |
The results were very encouraging and all faired very well:
| Fair | 0 |
| Promising | 3 |
| Merit | 6 |
| Highly Commended | 14 |
| Distinction | 8 |
| Honours | 2 |
For the 'best of classes' the adjudicator had the discretion to award cups and trophies to entrants who are awarded the following levels of attainment: Highly commended; Distinction or Honours.
The results for the 2007 Festival were:
| Brass | |
| Most promising Junior brass player (12 years and under) |
Benjamin Knight – 1st Chandlers Ford BB |
| Most promising brass player 13 to 18 years) |
Gemma Bailey – 1st Hedge End GB |
| Most outstanding group in the ensemble classes (12 years and under) |
Not awarded |
| Most outstanding group in the ensemble classes (13 years to Adult) |
1st Chandlers Ford BB |
| Fred Mansfield Shield - Most outstanding group in the brass band classes. | 1st Chandlers Ford BB |
| Woodwind | |
| Most promising woodwind player (12 years and under) |
Thomas Mussell - 1st Chandlers Ford BB |
| Most promising woodwind player (13 to 18 years) |
Rebecca Pitt – 1st Basingstoke GB |
| Most outstanding group in the ensemble classes | Thomas Mussell & Jack Simmonds - 1st Chandlers Ford BB |
| Vocal | |
| Most promising Junior vocalist (12 years and under) |
Not awarded |
| Most promising vocalist | Kerry-Jayne Lilly – 1st Totton GB |
| Most promising Youth Choir | 1st Chandlers Ford BB Company Section |
The singing particularly was interesting as we had BB Junior Section and a Company Section choir formed to enter.
We had a good day of music endeavour and fellowship, and another resounding success for the Boys' and Girls' Brigade.
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