| Format: | Test Piece Contest |
|---|---|
| Test Piece: | La Forza del Destino [arr. Smythe] 1863 |
| Adjudicators: | Mr. Basquit , T. Coward , Charles (sr) Godfrey , E. Hanson , Mr. Hurst , James Smythe |
| Venue: | Crystal Palace, Crystal Palace Park, Sydenham, County of London, England, UK |
Sources:
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper (London, England), Sunday, August 2, 1863; Issue 1080.
The Era (London, England), Sunday, August 2, 1863; Issue 1297.
"The Brass Band Movement", Russell & Eliot, 1936
Also see
http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/cultures-of-brass/british-brass-band/crystal_palace_results.pdf
http://www.ibew.org.uk/misc4286.htm
44 bands entered, 21 played.
A two-stage contest. The qualifying stage divided the 21 bands into three separate contests, adjudicated by 2 judges each (1 - Hurst and Hanson; 2 - Smythe and Godfrey; 3 - Basquit and Coward). The final stage comprised 12 bands - Brighton, Civil Service, Albion Mills, Blandford, Kirkstall, Matlock, Leyburn, Compstall, Dewsbury, Darlington, Doncaster, and Kirkburton.
There appears to be some confusion between sources; Darlington is not listed in the full list of entries - but is presumably a regimental band, either the 15th or 20th Durham. In the absence of more information, both forms are listed for now.
Prizes:
1st: £30, "together with free gift of superb massive cup, worked in aluminium gold, oxydised and burnished, ornamented with appropriate devices, for bandmaster; also a magnificent champion circular contre bass, in double B fiat, with three rotary cylinders, splendidly electroplated; manufactured and presented by the firm of Messrs. Henry Distin, and Co. military musical instrument makers".
2nd: £20
3rd: £15
4th: £10
Best band in the counties of Middlesex, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, or Hampshire: £10; Brighton (1st Sussex).
Solo prizes -
Cornet: Robert de Lacy (Leyburn Band)
Baritone horn: Thomas Hunt (Blandford Band)