This year the NTC Band Competition was a busy day packed full of music and marching, with 11 NTC and 3 guest bands competing for top honours in a day long battle across four separate classes. A variety of music and technique were on display from film themes, marching tunes, fanfare and even intricate drum and stick work aiming to impress...
Cadets from as young as 8 years old represented the talent the Corps had to offer including new entrants for this year, Pagham based ship, TS Montrose, who boasted a win in Novice Class after wowing judges.
The contest also attracted a TV crew from ITV Meridian News, who filmed the day and broadcast a report on the evening news, featuring interviews with cadets and corps Patron, Rear Admiral John Lippiett (CB MBE) who commented "This year has seen yet more brilliant performances and a tremendous turnout. What has impressed me the most however, is that ships have been helping each other."
Certainly, this has seen some great results, with the bands of TS. Explorer and TS. Unity competing together. Also, with the help of local units, TS. Resolution managed to put forward an impressive display which marked a comeback for the ships band after some twenty years.
The NTC was also proud to be visited by the Olympic torch, with bearer Elsena Marsden, who kindly allowed photographs to be taken with the torch raising money for both the NTC and cancer charity Grace (grace-charity.org.uk )
The contest saw effective displays and arrangements from a number of different bands, including 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' by TS. Intrepid and an exceptional performance of music taken from the recent Batman movies by Copthorne based TS. Swiftsure; which bagged top honours in the Championship class.
Competition within the classes had been fierce, producing some phenomenal music. Judge Steve Hars, commented "standards had definitely improved, after last years great performances" ensuring that the task of the judges had been harder than ever before.
Perhaps the biggest cheer on the
day was reserved for TS Sturdy, who despite some difficulties, put in a passionate performance, with the crowd clapping in encouragement and rightfully awarding a
standing ovation to complete their display.
As the day drew to a close, awards were presented to many of the deserving bands and individuals. Recognising all the hard work, Commodore Dave Wright was keen to stress that "everybody has worked incredibly hard to deliver such a high standard this year, without each and every one of the cadets there simply wouldn't be a competition. A fantastic effort."
This year, the Corps were honoured to have the support of sponsor CPJ Field. Director, Charlie Field particularly enjoyed the day and commented. "I am delighted to attend and support the NTC. This was a
great demonstration of the reach of this organisation... an inspiring performance by everyone involved."
Many thanks are due to a number of Officers, Cadets and volunteers who worked alongside NTC Director of Music, Commander Craig Knight, to make the day a success.
Essential to the smooth running of the day is 2nd Officer Steve Mayburry, who sadly will be retiring from the NTC and the band competition this year, after many years of tirelessly replacing distance markers that end up being knocked across the arena and to whom particular thanks are due.
Winners by class:
Novice – Training Ship Montrose, Pagham
Open – Training Ship Superb, Crawley
Contest – Training Ship Ambuscade, Merstham, Surrey
Championship – Training Ship Swiftsure, Copthorne
Colour – Training Ship Implacable, Littlehampton
Fanfare – Training Ship Implacable, Littlehampton
Full Photography of the event is available by clicking here
Or you can watch the ITV Meridian News report below.
