Scottish champion Exchange Communications Whitburn completed the first leg of what turned out to be a profitable weekend of contesting by winning the Brass in the Park ‘March & Hymn Tune’ contest in Newtongrange on Saturday.
High quality
Under the direction of Ian Porthouse they claimed the £600 top prize with two high quality renditions of the march ‘Knight Templar’ and the Goff Richards arrangement of ‘Crimond’ to claim a clear two-point winning margin over Championship Section rivals Unison Kinneil.
First Section Broxburn & Livingston continued on their impressive run of form by coming third.
Whitburn’s principal cornet player Chris Bradley picked up the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award for his impressive contribution.
Pleased
The winning MD was pleased with the victory on what was to be a busy weekend with the band travelling to Middlesborough the following day to play in the Doctor Martin Charitable Trust Contest.
"It was a good run out for the band," Ian told 4BR. "It's been great to come back up to Whitburn again, and I have been impressed by the hard work they have been doing. It really set us up for both contests."
Solid
Two solid performances of ‘Viva Burkinshaw’ and ‘Prelude – Earth’s Confusion’ by Trevor Davies, gave Unison Kinneil second place under the direction of Paul Drury, although they were pushed by a resurgent Broxburn & Livingston conducted by Charlie Farran.
Charlie told 4BR that the result gave his band a boost of confidence just a fortnight before their appearance at the National Finals.
"We’ve been working hard and concentrating on Cheltenham, so to produce two high class performances of ‘Death or Gory’ and ‘Crimond’ gave us a musical break and another contest focal point. It sets us up with confidence for our trip south."
Section awards went to St Ronan’s Silver, Langholm Town, Hawick Saxhorn and Dalmellington Junior.
It's been great to come back up to Whitburn again, and I have been impressed by the hard work they have been doing. It really set us up for both contestsIan Porthouse
Youth awards
The continued growth of youth banding in Scotland saw an impressive list of entrants for adjudicators Peter Roberts and John Boax to enjoy in the ensemble and solo events.
There was a host of impressive entertainment programme performances to enjoy with Gold, Silver and Bronze awards on offer in the various youth sections.
Gold
Abbey Brass took a Gold Award and victory in the Preparatory Section under the direction of Rob Hume, whilst the MD also led Hawick Saxhorn Youth to victory and a Gold Award in the Novice Section too.
Campbeltown Junior Brass claimed a Gold Award and victory in the Development Section under the baton of James McVicar, whilst Ian Taylor led Dalmellington Junior Band to a deserved ‘Gold’ victory in a high quality Senior Section.
There was a great deal to enjoy in the Premier Section despite there only being one entrant, as West Lothian Schools once again showed their outstanding quality with a Gold Award performance under the baton of Nigel Boddice MBE
Solo contest
The hard fought individual Slow Melody Solo Awards saw victory claimed by cornet player Lauren Robb ahead of fellow cornet play Susannah Downs and Stuart Black on flugel.
The Under 18 Award was won by Lloyd Grffin, with his brother Leighton taking the Under 14 title.
Results:
Adjudicator: Stan Lippeatt
1. Exchange Communications Whitburn (Ian Porthouse) — 96
2. Unison Kinneil (Paul Drury) — 93
3. Broxburn & Livingston (Charlie Farran) — 91
4. Newmilns & Galston — 87
5. Bathgate — 86
6. Langholm Town — 85
7. Hawick Saxhorn — 79
8. Jedforest Instrumental — 78
9. Renfrew Burgh — 77
10. St Ronans Silver — 75
11. MacTaggart Scott Loanhead — 74
12. Dalmellington Junior — 73
13. Sanquhar & District Silver — 72
14. Penicuik Silver — 72
Best 1st Section: Broxburn & Livingston
Best 2nd Section: St Ronan's Silver
Best 3rd Section: Langholm Town
Best 4th Section: Hawick Saxhorn
Best Non Competing: Dalmellington Junior
Deportment Dalmellington Junior
Prizes:
1. £600
2. £200
3. £100
Best 1st Section Band — £300
Best 2nd Section Band — £300
Best 3rd Section Band — £300
Best 4th Section Band — £300
Best Non-Competing Band — £250
Deportment Prize — £100
Best Instrumentalist: Chris Bradley — Exchange Communications Whitburn
Youth Contest:
Adjudicator: Peter Roberts
Preparatory Section:
1. Abbey Brass (Rob Hume)- Gold
St David's Budding Brass (John Dickson) — Gold
Loanhead Brass Roots (Alan Fernie) — Gold
Galashiels Youth (Stuart Black) — Silver
Penicuik Youth (Peter Hawkins) — Silver
Novice Section:
1. Hawick Saxhorn Youth (Rob Hume) — Gold
St Ronan's Future Band (David Robb) — Gold
Levern Valley Community Brass (Brian Deans) — Gold
Newtongrange Junior (Alan Fernie) — Gold
Kingdom Brass Youth (Anne Crookston) — Silver
Langholm Junior (David Calvert) — Silver
Development Section:
1. Campbeltown Junior Brass (James McVicar) — Gold
Kinneil Youth Band (Scott Gardner) — Gold
Peebles Burgh Silver Junior (Iain Fleming) — Silver
Best Instrumentalist: Campbeltown
Senior Section:
1. Dalmellington Junior Band (Ian Taylor) — Gold
Perthshire Youth Brass (Jason Blyth) — Gold
Loanhead Brass Youth (Alan Fernie) — Gold
James Young Brass (Barbara Poynter) — Silver
Best Instrumentalist: Perthshire Brass
Premier Section:
1. West Lothian Schools (Nigel Boddice MBE) — Gold
Best Instrumentalist: Susannah Downs — Solo Cornet
Slow Melody Contest:
Adjudicator: John Boax
1. Lauren Robb — 94
2. Susannah Downs — 90
3. Stuart Black — 89
Open Contest Winner: Lauren Robb
Best 18 Under: Lloyd Griffin
Best 14 Under: Leighton Griffin
