Over 150 young brass and percussion players performed and took part in the inaugural Scottish Borders Youth Brass Band Festival on the weekend at the Volunteer Hall, Galasheils.

Support

Supported by a large and enthusiastic audience the day's music making was split into two parts.

In the morning, the annual solo and ensemble contest took place. This acts as the Borders qualifying round for the Besson Scottish Youth Championships, with the first three competitors in the prizes from each of the sections representing the Borders at the finals in Livingston on February 2nd.

Fantastic performances

There were a number of fantastic individual performances on show, including a clean sweep in the youth solos for St. Ronan's Silver, all accompanied on the piano by Fiona Dickson.

After a short lunch break, the audience were treated to no less than six youth bands from the area performing short concert programmes as they battled for the Borders Youth Brass Band Championship.

Format change

In a change to a traditional contest format, each band was given the opportunity to have a quick warm up on stage, before performing, whilst their adjudication was provided by a short mini masterclass delivered tuba soloist, Les Neish.

This more informal style was deemed to be very successful, from not only the bands and their conductors, but by the audience too.

Huge success

Chairman of the Borders Band Association, Alan Fernie, commented: "The day was a huge success, and I'm particularly pleased with how well the more relaxed adjudication was received.

It’s impossible to imagine anyone better than Les to deliver the adjudications in this way, with his charisma, talent and easy rapport with the young players, and the level of support in the hall was also great to see.

Between the schools and the bands here in the Borders, there is so much good work going on, and days like this inspire us all!"

The event was organised jointly by the Scottish Borders Brass Band Association and Galasheils Town Band, with valuable financial support received from Besson and the Scottish Brass Band Association.

The day was a huge success, and I'm particularly pleased with how well the more relaxed adjudication was receivedSBBB Chairman, Alan Fernie

Results:

Junior Ensembles:
1. Hawick Schools (Gold)
2. Jedforest Band Buddies (Silver)

Junior Solos:
1. Madeline Hume — Hawick (Gold)
2. Hannah Kemp — Selkirk (Gold)
3. Ashleigh Ferguson — Jedforest (Gold)

Intermediate Solos:
1. Benjamin Hindley — St.Ronan's (Gold)
2. Lois Kirk — St. Margaret's (Gold)
3. Harry Marshall — Hawick (Silver)

Youth Ensemble:
1. Muckle Toon (Langholm) (Silver)

Youth Solos:
1. Douglas Couchman — St. Ronan's (Gold)
2. Liam Orr — St. Ronan's (Gold)
3. Rebecca Lindsay — St. Ronan's (Gold)

Band contest:

Preparatory Section:
1. Selkirk Junior Band (Colin Kemp) — Gold
2. Galasheils Junior Band (Stuart Black) — Gold

Novice Section:
1. Abbey Brass Jedforest (Rob Hume) — Gold
2. St Ronan's Future Band (Keith Belleville) — Silver
3. Galasheils Youth Band (Stuart Black) — Silver

Development Section:
1. Hawick Schools (Rob Hume) — Silver