Preview: Bugle Contest

Nestled in the rolling hills and serene countryside in the heart of the Cornwall, is the small village of Bugle. Home to less than 3000 people and between the larger towns of St Austell and Bodmin it is, for the most part, far from a hive of activity. Apart from the third weekend in June. That weekend is the West of England Bandsmen’s Festival (or ‘Bugle Contest’) weekend.

Bugle contest is one of my favourite events on the banding calendar. Combining an early morning march contest with an outdoor test piece contest the event is both serious and quirky in equal measure. Bands and supporters travel from across Cornwall and beyond to attend an event that features the perfect blend of summer socialising with serious music making. There can't be many other places where your contest performance is given outdoors, on a temporary stage on a football pitch and at the mercy of the weather.

Committed to Excellence

Having first been held in 1912, and stopping only for the First World War, Second World War and Covid-19 Pandemic and being the only known contest to have a connection to the British Monarchy, through the Royal Trophy (presented in 1913 by Prince Edward of Wales), its longevity is testament not just to its 'unusual' nature but the immense hard work of the organising committee. “My role sees me and our excellent Treasurer Liz Husband ticking boxes in the months leading up to the contest applying for licences from the council to hold the event including road closures and street collections” explains Ian Powell, Committee Secretary. “Other things that need to be dealt with include public liability insurance, St John Ambulance, Sponsorship, BOPA licence, arranging accommodation for both adjudicator and percussion crew, ordering catering equipment (pasty warmer obviously top of the list!), organising all the information for the programmes and getting all of that to the printers plus the social media”. It’s hard to disagree with Ian over the matter of the pasty warmer - Bugle pasties are legendary and another compelling reason for attending the contest. It’s also hard to disagree with Ian’s next assertion that “we have a very hard working committee of around 20 members. We meet four times a year with our May meeting the last one before the contest takes place when all the entries are in”. Once the administrative challenges are out of the way, the physical work commences. “The venue itself we set up in the fortnight before the contest” he explains. This involves “building the stage and getting the canopy on top. Marquees are hired in at considerable expense and we remain very grateful to our major sponsors for their financial help. It is a lot of work for a one day a year event but our band of volunteers are dedicated and just love Bugle Contest so it doesn't seem like a chore in any way”.

An Eye for Detail

The hard work of organisers and bands alike culminates at 10:00 sharp on contest day as the march contest commences. Bands assemble at the top of the village (the main road is on a hill) and march down to the contest grounds, under the watchful eye of Deportment Adjudicator, Jonathan Lush Camps. “To me, this phase makes Bugle contest unique, and is as almost as important as the contest day itself, because there are people who attend the March-down (and in the evening, the March-up) who have no wish to actually attend the contest itself,” Jonathan explains.

A former Royal Marines Musician, Jonathan has a wealth of professional insight on which to draw and, using a mark sheet designed by his predecessor WO Roberts (RAF) has designed a set of criteria which he uses to grade deportment. These are: 

• Straight lines (from front to rear and left to right)
• Personal deportment (heads up, shoulders back, instruments pointing upwards)
• Evenness of spacing between the ranks and files
• Uniform (hats are always well-received in the adjudicators marks!)

“The final criterion is what I call my “general impression”. Little attention to details score well here - the percussionists might be wearing white gloves for example. I like a band to spread wide across the road rather than huddle together in the middle. Clean and shiny instruments are a must of course (from my perch I can look down the bell of each tuba and euphonium!). As I always say to myself, ‘if I was the chairman of Greensplat Carnival committee, and I’d booked this band to lead the procession, how happy would I be with their overall performance?’ The music choice and performance will come into this area too”.

A Testing Venue

This year’s contest will see 17 bands taking part across seven sections, including Youth and Training. Among those taking to the stage will be Bodmin Town, Roche Brass, St Stythians and Illogan Sparnon. But what is it about this contest that continues to attract bands to compete?

This contest is a firm addition to the band’s diary”, explains Colin Hudson who will be taking Bodmin. “It is one of the last remaining ‘field’ contests and one that attracts bands not only from Cornwall but further afield. It is enjoyed by the musicians and supporters alike. Brendan Caddy, leading Roche in the First Section, agrees. “I think the main reason for the band entering the contest is to support a brilliant local event” he says. “It’s a fantastic day and one of the last remaining outdoor brass band contests left in the country. It’s so important to support events like this, if numbers keep dwindling away this brilliant tradition will disappear!” James Burns, MD of St Stythians agrees with this sentiment and “one of the main reasons for entering Bugle competition is to support our local contest” and entered after a conversation with Harry Weir, a close friend and MD of Pendennis Band, in which concerns were expressed over a possible lack of entries. “Bugle was one of my first ever contests I'd ever played at and I would hate to think that it wouldn't be around for future generations”. Of course, there’s nothing like an element of friendly rivalry however and “he [Harry] added that he wanted to 'have another go at me' after the areas, so I put it to the band and they agreed to enter”. For Shaun Marsden at Illogan Sparnon, as well as being the band’s local contest, it provides a good opportunity to prepare for contests later in the year. “I chose to enter Bugle contest to prepare the band for the national finals” he explains ”it's the first time in the band's history that they have qualified”.

For section three and below bands are free to choose their test piece with sections two and above being set work. Needless to say, those with the freedom to choose are keeping their cards close to their chests. “The band have decided to play the set test piece from a few years ago when no bands entered because the music was too difficult!” explains Shaun. “We are playing it very well which demonstrates how much the band has improved although it is a big challenge”. And as James points out, the freedom to make your own selection requires significant thought. “It can be incredibly difficult to choose,” he explains. “What you really need is the best test piece for the band in front of you. I initially went for a Salvation Army piece of music but early on had news that a key player couldn't attend the competition and so had adjust the choice. The test piece we're playing this year has been a closely guarded secret - the only clue I'm giving is it's a very modern exciting piece about the tracking of the sun over the year, and it being fitting that it's being played six days away from the summer solstice”. Having a set work then relieves some of the pressure of choice, although of course it prevents MD’s being able to tailor their choices to the strengths of their band. That said, the music panel has picked (in this writer’s opinion) some crackers this year. While second section bands will take on Edward Gregson’s Variations on Laudate Dominum, bands in the first section will be getting their teeth into a Peter Graham Classic. “Prisms is a great work for Brass Band, and in typical Peter Graham form really shows off everything we have to offer as an ensemble” Brendan enthuses. “Even though the piece was first used in 1988, it is still very much a test for modern day bands. Having just competed at the Spring Festival performing Philip Wilby’s New Jerusalem, Prisms will be a very different challenge but one the band are very much enjoying!” Meanwhile, Roche’s counterparts in the Championship Section will be taking on an altogether different challenge. “Paganini Variations is one of my favourite pieces for brass band”, Colin explains. “Although it is 23 years old, it still tests the whole band, soloists and stamina. The changing styles and mood each variation demand, bring with them a requirement of everyone in the band to ‘by in’ to the scene, colour and musical picture we are trying to portray. There are challenges for EVERY seat in the band that need 100% focus and commitment. As well as a test piece, each band in the upper sections has an additional musical challenge. First and second section bands must perform a hymn arrangement with this year’s choices being The Irish Blessing (arr. Stephen Bradmum) for the first section and Len Ballentine’s sublime Mid All the Traffic for those competing in the second. Championship section bands will get the chance for a rip through Rimmer’s The Australasian before tackling Paganini.

The challenges for competing bands are not limited to musical ones however, and the unique nature of Bugle Contest can test competitors in ways other contests can’t. “There can be several challenges that you may experience and be presented with at Bugle contest” explains Brendan. “Being an outdoor event, weather can have a big impact on your day and performance, especially with plenty of wind and rain. But as with any contest and any distractions that may come your way, it’s important to keep focused on the job in hand!” Shaun is in agreement that “the weather plays a big part! The forecast isn't looking good so plenty of pegs will be needed to stop the music blowing away!”. As well as exposing players to the elements, the outdoor stage presents technical challenges as well. The band ‘sound’ is always crucial in any contest, but with the sound dissipating outside, dynamics have to be adjusted to ensure the correct balance is maintained throughout” explains Colin. “The only thing you can do as an MD is to rehearse outside beforehand as much as you can, so that the change in sound does not come as a surprise to the musicians”. The stage can also lead to players and conductors alike feeling exposed, as James explains. “It can be a very nerve racking as a player and MD, as unlike a hall or stage, you can see other people in the field - there is nowhere to hide as there is a 360 degree view of the band”. The open nature of the contest also means that there is no capacity to prevent people moving around during performances, and the audience can, if they want to, hear every single band. It is key then to ensure you have a “calm head on you on the day” as James puts it. “The only thing that will be said to St Stythians band on this last week of run up will be a reminder to back music onto card, and have enough pegs to hold the music onto a stand in a hurricane!” A large supply of pegs is a crucial element of the Bugle Contest Kit. “As a youngster I was playing with a youth band at the contest and it was blowing a gale with the rain coming in sideways” remembers Brendan. “My music blew off my stand into the audience midway through the performance, and I had to finish the test piece by memory!”

A Red Letter Day

It is the uniqueness, quirkiness and risk of losing your music though that make Bugle such a great contest. There really is nothing (that I’ve come across anyway) quite like it. It is a red letter day in the calendar and something that people spend all year looking forward to for a variety of reasons. For James, as well as trying to beat his close friend Harry, it is the nature of the contest that is so appealing. “Bugle is so unique. It could be piddling with rain, burning your skin off in a blaze of sunshine or somewhere in the middle! There could be car alarms going off or a train horn sounding in the middle of a quiet movement! Shaun and Illogan are “looking forward to competing against the home favourite,who also qualified winning the Regionals, with us in 2nd place”. For Colin, it’s the personal experience he is looking forward to most. “! will be conducting the band for the first time at this event, playing one of my all time favourite test-pieces. What’s not to look forward to? Making music with friends is always a joy”. I must confess that, beyond the music, my personal highlight is the refreshment provision and I know I’m not along in this sentiment! “Bugle contest has so much to offer” admits Brendan” From fantastic brass bands performing at their very best to some of the best hospitality in the world - pasties!! And of course, it’s not just the bands and MD’s who are looking forward to an excellent weekend. “It’s tough to pick out one individual aspect” confesses Ian. “I suppose the highlight this year will be the three Championship Section bands tackling Paganini Variations. The other highlight for me, on a personal level, is watching the winning band playing in the Square at the end of the day. Regular visitors to our event often single out the hymn tune as a very moving and emotional experience and definitely one not to be missed”. It certainly is an incredible thing to watch, and yet another aspect of this wonderful event which sets it apart from other contests.

Look to The Future 

And so we’re set for another brilliant day of music making, socialising and pasty eating. At the time of typing the weather forecast is ‘mixed’ to say the least, but it certainly will not dampen the spirits of everyone travelling to attend. This once a year event, a contest like no other, continues to remain enduringly popular and, as Ian puts it “there is nothing else quite like it in the banding world”. It must be said however that, as unique as Bugle contest is, it shares a commonality with many other events in the movement - the need to ensure the contest continues for future generations to enjoy. To anyone who has never attended before, and is thinking of doing so, “I would say come along and experience it for yourself” says Ian. “We somehow need to find a way to attract bands as well as spectators too. As a committee we are more than a little concerned about the way the number of entries year on year are trending downward. It's no secret that bands in general are struggling to fill seats and this seems to be having a knock on effect for contests like ours”. And yet, there is cause for positivity as the contest is “generally well supported by the Cornish bands, which is the case again this year.” Looking further ahead, a significant anniversary is also on the horizon. “We celebrate our 100th contest in 2026”, Ian explains, “so I am hoping that we might get a decent entry with bands wanting to be part of that momentous occasion. My main hope would be that that contest becomes a catalyst for the continued success of our event. Plans are already being made to make this a memorable occasion and one not to be missed”. Before we get to 2026 however, we have this year’s contest to get stuck into. Whatever the weather, it’s sure to be absolutely brilliant.