Charlie Fleming
Megan Newbury win solo prize at Wychavon Contest
November 1, 2021
The Wychavon Contest is very popular date in the brass band calendar, spread over the five sections of the brass band movement. This year, 45 bands were involved from all parts of England and Wales.
We were competing in the the Championship section as the first band from Devon to compete at this top level. While not in the prizes against really stiff opposition, our performance was described as "good" and by others as "awesome" and the band weas thrilled with their playing after a lot of very hard work in preparation.
As part of their programme, every band is required to feature a soloist and the winners of this prize are rightly lauded throughout the brass band movement. The absolute brilliant news is that Megan Newbury, our 17-year-old assistant principle cornet player was the star of the entire contest and was the winner of the solo prize.
Her performance of a virtuoso piece, entitled “Paragon” was described by the adjudicator as "just brilliant!" In actual fact, it was absolutely faultless. She delivered a performance with virtuosity that marks her out as one of the country's rising stars of the instrument, equalling the true greats that have gone before her.
The band is immensely proud and honoured to have her among us. She has received our massive congratulations and congratulations have also flooded in from far and wide and from the big names in the brass band movement.
Megan began her career in the swcomms Band Academy and we have watched her rise with much excitement. She is currently the assistant principle of the National Youth Brass Band, which is an extreme accolade in itself and she rushed off to join up with them for a 70th anniversary recording, which took place the following day. Yet again, spreading the word of swcomms and the band to a national audience.
From all your band Megan, we absolutely honoured to have you with us and so, so proud of you.