Blowing their own trumpets at the Queen's Cup

A Bunbury concert band has demonstrated the city’s excellent musical pedigree recently in making a clean sweep of the annual Queen’s Cup band competition in Busselton.

The SouthWestWind Orchestra won four trophies and one individual award in what was believed to be its most successful year at a competition regarded as one of the most competitive in the region.

Kerry Jeffreys plays clarinet and said while the orchestra had been competing in the annual competition for many years this was the best result since she had been playing.

Under the control of musical director Nicky Hair, the orchestra competed in the A Grade Concert Band division, performing four pieces.

It won its grade as well as taking out the highest score for any brass or concert band in A grade, the highest score for a concert band across any grade and the Deportment Trophy.

Vivian Laws, the orchestra’s first clarinet, also won the woodwind instrumentalist award for an individual performance.

Ms Jeffreys said the success, and the Queen’s Cup competition in general, had demonstrated the wealth of musical talent in Bunbury and the South West.

The competition’s adjudicators Rob Smithies and David Parkinson had commended the extremely high standard of bands at this year’s event.

Ms Jeffreys said the orchestra’s 30 members included musicians across a wide range of ages, including young people straight out of high school to retirees.

She said the band was constantly on the lookout for new members who were keen to play in a friendly atmosphere.

The orchestra meets each Tuesday night from 7pm to 9pm at the band rooms in Queen’s Gardens in Bunbury.