TORPOINT Sea Cadets Band have been crowned victorious after their performance at the South West Area Band Contest.

Held at HMS Raleigh, the competition hopes to find the best of the best in the South West, as each group take to the stage to perform for a panel of judges and audiences from across the area.

Following their success, the group will now take on the National Sea Cadet Band Contest at the Old Naval College in Greenwich this August.

The band of 20 cadets from the Torpoint unit won a near clean sweep of all trophies at the South West event, including Best Overall Band, Best Corps of Drums, Best Musical Display and Best Dressed Band. The group were representing Cornwall against bands from the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Avon and Warwickshire.

The Torpoint Sea Cadets Band was formed at HMS Raleigh's own Sea Cadet Unit in 2018, but had to restart from scratch after the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions fully lifted at the start of 2022.  

The cadets train every week and regularly perform at community events such as the recent Liskeard Show, Torpoint Civic Parade and Pillaton Cherry Feast. In addition to a busy summer of community performances, the band have spent the last six weeks rehearsing a 15-minute marching display for the Area Band Contest, judged by experienced professional musicians from the Royal Marines Band Service. 

Many of the cadets had no musical experience before joining Torpoint Sea Cadets and have learnt their instruments entirely within Sea Cadet band training and rehearsal sessions — a testament to their efforts.

Seventeen year old Petty Officer Cadet Will additionally won trophies as the best 'Solo Musician' for his clarinet piece, and best 'Original Composition' for the quick march entitled 'Rame Head' which he composed entirely on his own, taking inspiration from the rugged coastline and rhythmic and triumphant crashes of waves at Whitsand Bay.

He said: "I'm so grateful for the opportunity to have a go at composing my own piece and to receive such helpful feedback from professional musicians from the Royal Marines." 

Leading Cadet Emily, who was part of winning the corps of drums and took the bronze medal as a 'solo drummer' added: "We're all delighted with the result and can't wait to perform in London at the Greenwich Old Naval College in a few weeks' time." 

Torpoint Unit Bandmaster, Petty Officer Tye Huntley (SCC), said: "The cadets did themselves proud with a fantastic display after many months of dedication and hard work"

The cadets will represent the entire South West Area of the UK at the National Sea Cadet Band Contest in Greenwich on Saturday, August 17.