As well as performing concerts, Gillingham band takes part in several contests throughout the year. Perhaps the most important contest the band take part in every year is the regional qualifier (also known as ‘the areas’).
There are 8 separate area contests in the UK which take place on the weekends throughout March & April time every year. Gillingham Band compete every year in their local area contest, the Southwest Areas, which is held at the Riviera Centre, Torquay.
The winning bands and 2nd placed bands for each section qualify to play at the National Finals, held in September at Harrogate International Centre. Gillingham band has, on several occasions, qualified to compete at the National Finals, the most recent being in 2006.
As well as the areas, the band competes in a number of other contests throughout the year, including Weston-Super-Mare, Weymouth, and Wychavon. To find out more information on the band’s performances at these contests please view our results archive .
To find out more about how bands are graded and where Gillingham band is ranked within the Southwest area, take a look at our ‘Grading Tables ‘ page in the ‘Resources ‘ section of this website.