St Austell Town Band Wins National Championship – Cornish Talent Shines!

St Austell Town Band Triumphs in Cheltenham

St Austell Town Band has achieved national glory by winning the Second Section title at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. The band represented Cornwall and the West of England region at the prestigious event held at Cheltenham Racecourse on Sunday, 15th September.

Performing with Excellence

The band performed “Albinus Variations,” a challenging piece composed by Etienne Crausaz, under the direction of their resident Musical Director Anna Minear and professional conductor Steve Sykes. The performance was met with high praise from the adjudicators, who singled out soloists Hannah Hawken (cornet), Jason Wilton (horn), and Sue Pope (euphonium) for their “colourful,” “dramatic,” and “evocative” playing.

National Champions

St Austell Town Band emerged victorious among 18 competing bands, becoming the Second Section National Champion. This win adds to a string of successes for the band, which has also claimed titles at the Regional Championships and the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival this year. Notably, the band’s commitment to nurturing young talent was evident, with 11 of the 30 players on stage aged 20 or under. Nine of those young musicians are members of the band’s award-winning Youth Band.

A Year of Success

This victory caps off a remarkable year for the St Austell Town Band. The Senior Band has collected several accolades, while the Youth Band took home the Youth Section title at the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival and secured third place at the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.

Looking Ahead

The band’s focus now shifts to community engagements, including Remembrance Sunday events and a busy Christmas schedule. Meanwhile, the Youth Band is preparing to compete at the South West Brass Band Association annual contest in Torquay this November. The Senior Band will return to the contesting arena in 2025, with promotion to the First Section effective from January.

For more information, visit the St Austell Town Band website or follow them on Facebook.