In July 1974, the Southampton Albion Silver Band travelled overseas to compete in the prestigious World Music Contest at Kerkrade in the Netherlands, the Band’s first venture into a continental competition.
Members agreed to pay their own expenses for the trip and a special sub-committee was formed to organise the visit. The Band left Southampton in the early hours of 19 July, travelling by coach to Dover, ferry to Zeebrugge and then onwards through Belgium to Kerkrade.
Preparations had not been straightforward. Musical Director Stanley Willis had been ill for the six weeks leading up to the contest, so former Musical Director Courtney Bosanko agreed to help the Band and was able to take just the final two rehearsals. In Kerkrade, Deputy Conductor and Principal Cornet Lawrence Redstone also led a rehearsal before the contest.
The set work was Simon Called Peter, while the adjudicating jury selected Les Préludes from the Band’s own-choice works.
Albion’s performance earned the Band a Silver Medal and Second Prize in Division 2, followed by a standing ovation from the audience. The international jury included the renowned British brass band composer Eric Ball.
Following the competition, Chairman Bill Barnes, Secretary D. Hunt and Treasurer R. Merefield attended a reception at Kerkrade Town Hall, where representatives from musical and dancing groups from around the world were welcomed by the Burgomaster.
The visit was a memorable international milestone for Albion and added a World Music Contest Silver Medal to the Band’s growing list of achievements.