There was a mighty contesting shock sent through Scottish banding in Troon on the weekend, when First Section Johnstone Silver took the Land O’ Burns Entertainment title – beating two of Scotland’s British Open contenders in the process.
Musically shaped
Conducted by Raymond Tennant, Johnstone delivered a high quality marker off the number 7 draw in a 15 band field that was described by adjudicator C. Brian Buckley as, 'musically well shaped and delivered throughout'.
It was enough to gain them a narrow one point winning margin over six time defending champion Whitburn, directed by Frank Renton, with English Championship Section representatives Blackburn & Darwen in third and All England Masters Champions, Co-operative FuneralCare five points behind in fourth.
Cloud Nine
Understandably, the winning MD was still on cloud nine when he spoke to 4BR: "This has been the result of so much hard work by the band. We played really well and we came off stage knowing we had produced a performance of quality on a programme that suited our strengths."
"All the players did me proud today," Ray added, "...but I must give a special mention to our soloist June Deans on trombone who was fantastic, soprano Clare Thomas and our three bass players who gave everything!"
All the players did me proud today, but I must give a special mention to our soloist June Deans on trombone who was fantastic, soprano Clare Thomas and our three bass players who gave everything!MD, Ray Tennant
Prizes
Those contributions gave the two principal players and the bass team individual awards, whilst Johnstone picked up the £2,500 first prize, which was boosted by another £300 as the 'Best Fist Section Band' at the contest.
Johnstone’s winning programme started with Howard Snell’s, 'Postcard from Mexico', and was followed by 'Feeling Good' featuring June Deans on flugel, Alan Fernie’s arrangement of 'Greensleeves' and finishing with the 'Fugue' from Philip Sparke’s 'Graduation Day' suite.
Impressed
Ray was equally pleased that Alan Fernie had also earmarked their performance of 'Greensleeves' as one of the best on the day too. "All the bands had to perform one of Alan’s works in celebration of his 50th birthday, and I have always liked this arrangement. For him to say how well we played it was a real extra bonus."
No celebrations
There were to be no celebrations however for the British Open bound heavyweights of Scottish banding, as both returned to their pre-Symphony Hall rehearsals licking their contesting wounds.
Although both Whitburn and Scottish Co-op bands certainly had one eye on Birmingham, the reprises of their recent entertainment concert repertoire didn’t quite have enough sparkle about them to impress C Brian Buckley in the box.
Classy trombone
Whitburn’s classy solo trombone player Alex Philip took the 'Best Trombone' prize for his performance of 'My Funny Valentine', whilst the West Lothian champion also picked up awards for percussion and euphonium.
It still wasn’t enough though and they had to be content with the second prize of £1,000 – the first time they had been defeated at the contest in seven years.
English runner up
Blackburn & Darwen directed by Nick Sheppard will have returned home pleased with their efforts in bagging the £500 on offer for coming third, with their performance enhanced by the playing of Iain Culross who ended his tenure as principal cornet before his move to Fairey (Geneva), by picking up the 'Best Principal Cornet' Award.
A depleted Co-operative Funeralcare Band (minus principal cornet Jim Hayes amongst others) had the consolation seeing Caroline Farren win the 'Best Flugel' Award, although they will be disappointed that her skills will be missing at Symphony Hall on the weekend.
Encouraging
Elsewhere, on what was an encouraging day in terms of audience numbers Bass Trombonist Paul Wilson of Downshire Brass took home the 'Best Instrumentalist' Award for the second year in a row, whilst the prizes for 'Best Placed Ayrshire Band', 'Best Second Section' and 'Best Third Section' bands went to Newmilns & Galston, Shott’s St Patrick’s and Irvine & Dreghorn respectively.
Great day
Bert Ritchie of contest organisers Dalmellington Band was equally delighted at the day’s contest too. "We had a great day, with a great response from the bands and the audience. It’s just my hope now to try and get a Welsh band up to compete next year so that we really become a ‘National’ event."
Domestic bragging rights
The last word however went to the winning conductor Ray Tennant, who as well as enjoying a contest triumph on the day, also enjoyed some domestic bragging rights too – as his wife Caroline played with Co-operative Funeralcare.
"It’s not often I get to enjoy coming out on top," he said with tongue firmly in cheek. "I’ll enjoy it while it lasts, but I hope Caroline won’t mind – especially if she gets to do well at the Open on the weekend."
Results:
1. Johnstone Silver (Raymond Tennant) — 195
2. Whitburn (Frank Renton) — 194
3. Blackburn & Darwen (Nick Sheppard) — 191
4. Co-operative Funeralcare (Michael Fowles) — 190
5. Easington Colliery (Nigel Stedman) — 187
6. Newmilns & Galston (Alex McCutcheon) — 186
7. Shotts St. Patrick’s (Michael Marzella) — 185
8. Irvine & Dreghorn (John Boax) — 184
9. Downshire Brass (Michael Alcorn) — 183
10. Kilmarnock Concert Brass (Craig Anderson) — 182
11. Dunaskin Doon (John Boax) — 181
12. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan) — 180
13. Renfrew Burgh (David Hutcheson) — 179
14. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman) — 178
15. Brass Sounds Inverclyde (Gareth Bowman) — 177
Adjudicator: C. Brian Buckley
Best Instrumentalist: Paul Wilson (Bass Trombone) — Downshire Brass
Best Principal Cornet: Iain Culross — Blackburn & Darwen
Best Soprano Cornet: Clare Thomas — Johnstone Silver
Best Flugel Horn: Caroline Farren — Co-op Funeralcare
Best Tenor Horn: Jennifer Crockett — Irvine & Dreghorn
Best Trombone: Alex Philip — Whitburn
Best Euphonium: Andy Robson — Whitburn
Best Bass Section: Johnstone Silver
Best Percussion Section: Whitburn
Highest Placed Ayrshire Band: Newmilns & Galston
