Competing for the first time under the baton of newly-appointed Musical Director Wayne Landen, the members of Michelmersh Silver Band enjoyed a very successful day at the Oxford and District Brass Band Association Entertainment Contest yesterday. Performing a twenty minute programme of diverse concert music from the stirring march ‘Emblem of Unity’ to the comedy feature ‘Under the Boardwalk’, the band impressed adjudicator Derek Broadbent (of Floral Dance fame) who, in placing it first out of a strong field of 15 bands, praised the band’s “fine and consistent performance full of conviction and much enjoyed”. Former flugel horn player Wayne teaches music locally and took over as conductor just over a month ago.
The cup for first place was not the only award being taken home to the trophy cabinet in the band’s Timsbury home at the end of the day. A product of the MSB Training Band who progressed in to the main band, soprano cornet player Connie Boler was awarded the trophy for Best Soprano Cornet Player of the day.