Contest Rules

Please note that the Denshaw Band Contest Committee will not tolerate abuse from bands and/or their adherents to other bands, committee members, volunteers or members of the public. We reserve the right to disqualify any band which fails to meet this requirement.

1. Contest open to bands of not more than 25 performers (35 for Youth Bands)

2. Youth bands may play up to 4 senior players (over 19 years)

3. Bands with players under the age of 16 must declare the number of players involved and the number of chaperones accompanying them

4. Conductors may play but must count as one of the 25 performers

5. Conductors may conduct as many bands as they wish

6. All bands must report to the book-in desk adjacent to the Oddfellows Club, at which point they will be given a playing number. Bands must play in the order in which they booked in.

7. All members of the band must be present before booking-in takes place

8. The final booking-in time is 10.30 p.m. 

9. The Committee reserves the right to regulate the number of bands entering after 10.00 p.m.

10. Bands must be ready to play when asked. If any band wishes to play out of turn they must have the approval of the band with whom they wish to swap and they must agree this with the ringmaster prior to marching down.

11. All bands must play a march from the starting point. However, in the event of inclement weather, or in order to ensure that all booked-in bands are able to play before the end of the Contest, the ringmaster reserves the right to waive the requirement to march down.

12. The contest march is to be played once through with a DC to the Fine or Pause

13. Bands may play any published march they wish

14. Prizes will be awarded according to the decision of the adjudicator

15. Objections to be made in the ring to the ringmaster

16. Objections to be made by competing bands only

17. No band may win more than one prize (excluding soprano cornet, best bass section and conductor of winning band prize)

18. Prize money will be paid out by cheque or BACS within seven days of the contest and forwarded to the postal address or bank account details given when signing in. Trophies are awarded at the Presentation Evening.