There was an excellent display of young and old Scottish banding talent on display at the Howden Park Centre in Livingston on the weekend for the Besson Solo & Ensemble Contest run in conjunction with the Scottish Brass Band Association and West Lothian Council.
Plenty to ponder
Adjudicators Les Neish and Michael Dodd certainly had plenty to ponder and enjoy as a host of soloists and ensembles produced performances of a very high quality as they battled for various section awards and prizes.
Impressive showcase
With 40 finalists competing in the solo championship sections, and close on 100 young musicians in the finals of the ensemble sections, Saturday’s youth event displayed an impressive showcase of musical talent from across the country.
Sunday’s events saw the series of keenly contested Open championship sections, which welcomed over 50 brass and percussion players from all over the UK, offering a feast of virtuosic solo and ensemble performances.
Positives development
The adjudicators included Besson clinicians, Michael Dodd and Les Neish and percussionist Iain Sandilands, and in their closing comments, they repeatedly remarked on the high standard of performances, acknowledging the significant and positive development of brass and percussion playing in the country over recent years.
Their enthusiasm was also balanced with sound advice and guidance on performance techniques and considerations, enabling the competitors of all ages to benefit further from the experience of the weekend.
Amazing performances
Andrew Duncan, Development Manager told 4BR: "The weekend saw some amazing performances in all sections. It has been exciting to see how the Open Percussion Solo Section has grown in popularity since its introduction last year and we look forward to seeing a similar growth in the newly introduced Scottish Open Duet Championship."
He added: "As has been evident in recent years, the 2013 youth sections offered a clear demonstration of how the hard work by the players and tutors, and indeed the supporting family and friends, is now paying off in abundance.
Congratulations go to all the deserved prize-winners, but it is also extremely important to recognise and encourage the achievements of everyone who performed at these championships: Stepping out on the stage to perform takes dedication, courage and determination – all of which are fine qualities to nurture and encourage."
Sponsor thanks
The Scottish Brass Band Association also thanked Besson and West Lothian Council for their keen support of the event, the adjudicators and British Bandsman magazine and World of Brass for their additional prizes and awards.
As has been evident in recent years, the 2013 youth sections offered a clear demonstration of how the hard work by the players and tutors, and indeed the supporting family and friends, is now paying off in abundanceAndrew Duncan
Results:
Junior Solo:
1. Iona McVicar (horn): Campbeltown Brass (Gold)
2. Archie McVicar (Eb tuba): Campbeltown Brass (Gold)
3. Amy Paterson (flugel): Campbeltown Brass (Gold plus Music Innovation Award)
Gold Awards:
Finlay McGhee (euphonium): Monikie PS (Carnoustie)
Rob Calder (baritone): St. Margaret's Academy
Madeline Hume (flugel): Wilton PS Hawick
Silver Awards:
Iona McFarlane (cornet): Monikie PS (Carnoustie)
Ethan Docherty (horn): Carnoustie HS
Ashley Ferguson (cornet): Howdenburn PS
Claire Miller (horn): Kingdom Brass B
Adam Bathgate (cornet): Kingdom Brass Youth
Hannah Kemp (cornet): Selkirk
Owen Shade (trombone): St. Margaret's Academy
Charlotte Docherty (cornet): St. Margaret's Academy
Junior Ensemble:
1. James Young High School (Gold)
2. Bellsquarry Primary School (Gold)
3. Hawick Schools (Silver)
Silver Awards:
St. Margaret's Academy ‘A'
St. Margaret's Academy ‘B'
Bronze Awards:
Jedforest Band Buddies
Intermediate Solo:
1. Jordan Robertson (trombone): Carnoustie HS (Gold)
2. Chris Flynn (euphonium): Carnoustie HS (Gold)
3. Lynsay Brown (cornet): Dalmellington (Gold)
Gold Awards:
Leighton Griffin (euphonium): Newtongrange (Music Innovation Award)
Rachel Jones (cornet): Dalmellington
Harry Marshall (cornet): Hawick HS
Silver Awards:
Carole Ednie (baritone): Buckhaven Brass Beginnings
Innes Roy (euphonium): Campbeltown
Jacqueline Stark (trombone): Carnoustie
Emma Miller (baritone): Kingdom Brass B
Andrew Pennycook (Eb bass): Loanhead Brass Roots
Lois Kirk (flugel): St.Margaret's
Benjamin Hindley (flugel): St.Ronan's
Kyle Kinnear (baritone): Tullis Russell
John Walker (euphonium): Whitburn Youth Band
Intermediate Ensemble:
1. Carnoustie High (Gold)
2. Dalmellington (Gold)
3. Tullis Russell Intermediate (Silver)
Silver Awards:
Campbeltown Brass ‘A'
Bronze Awards:
East Lothian Schools
St.Margaret's Academy
Youth Solos:
1. Calum Tonner (cornet): Kirkintilloch — 96
2. Peter Jackson (euphonium): Carnoustie HS — 94
3. Chris Robertson (euphonium): Kirkintilloch — 93
4. Scott Kerr (euphonium): Newmilns & Galston — 91 (Music Innovation Award)
5. Douglas Couchman (cornet): St. Ronan's — 90
6. Sarah Knight (euphonium): Carnoustie & District — 90
7. Lloyd Griffin (cornet): Whitburn — 89
8. Rebecca Anderson (horn): Dunfermline Town — 88
9. Liam Orr (cornet): St. Ronan's — 88
10. Joseph Cunningham (bass): St. Margaret's — 87
Youth Ensembles:
1. Carnoustie & District Youth — 96
2. James Young Plus — 94
3. James Young High School — 92
4. Tullis Russell Intermediate — 89
5. Dalmellington — 86
Open Solo Contest:
1. Ian Fleming (horn): Whitburn — 94
2. Rachel Neil (horn): Kirkintilloch — 93
3. Fiona Rodger (baritone): Bo'ness & Carriden — 92
4. Charles Cullen (cornet): Whitburn — 90
5= Stephen Lomas (bass trombone): Leyland — 89
5= Stuart Black (flugel): Jedforest — 89
5= Craig Heriot (cornet): Tullis Russell — 89
8. Alan Douglas (euphonium): Tullis Russell — 88
9= Kenny Brown (EEb bass): Kingdom Brass — 87
9= Lauren Robb (cornet): Unison Kinneil — 87
9= Louise Edgar (flugel): Leyland — 87
12. Kirsty Fleming (baritone): Dalkeith & Monktonhall — 86
13= Chris Robertson (euphonium): Kirkintilloch — 85
13= Christopher Hamilton (horn): Unison Kinneil — 85
World of Brass Music Innovation Award: Stephen Lomas
Open Ensemble:
1. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass — 96
Open Duet:
1. Louise Edgar & Stephen Lomas (flugel/trombone) — 95
2. Chris Robertson & Sarah Knight (euphonium) — 93
Open Solo:
1. Ian Fleming (horn): Whitburn – 96
2. Stephen Lomas (bass trombone): Leyland — 95
3. Rachel Neil (horn): Kirkintilloch — 94
4. Chris Robertson (euphonium): Kirkintilloch — 93
5. Kenny Brown (EEb bass): Kingdom Brass — 92
6. Craig Heriot (cornet): Tullis Russell — 91
7. Christopher Hamilton (horn): Unison Kinneil — 89
Open Percussion Solo:
Adjudicator Ian Sandilands
1. Ruaridh Neil (xylophone) (Gold plus Best 13-18 age group)
2. Daniel Fairley (vibraphone)
3. Sam Walker (xylophone)
Gold Awards:
Cameron Hogg (snare drum) (Best 12 and under age group)
Abbey Honeyman (xylophone)
Michael McLaughlin (xylophone)
Silver Awards:
Heather Wilson (glockenspiel)
Amber Wilson (snare drum)
Emma Smith (xylophone)
Abbie Smith (snare drum)
Jay Stenhouse (xylophone)
Finlay Taylor (xylophone)
Bronze Awards:
Stacey Smith (glockenspiel)
Kyle Kinnear (xylophone)
Paul Mathers (xylophone)
Percussion Ensemble:
Tullis Russell Intermediate (Gold)
Scottish Champions:
Junior Solo Champion: Iona McVicar (Horn – Campbeltown Brass Band)
Intermediate Solo Champion: Jordan Robertson (Trombone – Carnoustie HS)
Youth Solo Champion: Calum Tonner (Cornet – Kirkintilloch)
Junior Ensemble Champions: James Young High School
Intermediate Solo Champions: Carnoustie High School
Youth Ensemble Champions: Carnoustie & District Youth
Open Percussion Solo Champion: Ruaridh Neil (Xylophone – Buckhaven & Methil)
Open Slow Melody Champion: Ian Fleming (Horn – Whitburn)
Open Solo Champion: Ian Fleming (Horn – Whitburn)
Open Ensemble Champions: Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass
Open Duet Champions: Stephen Lomas & Louise Edgar (Trombone & Flugel — Leyland)
Philip McCann Award as Best Cornet: Craig Heriot (Tullis Russell)
George Gilmour Award as Best Trombone: Stephen Lomas (Leyland)
Bram Thomson Award as Best Horn or Flugel: Ian Fleming (Whitburn)
James Gourlay Award as Best Bass: Kenny Brown (Kingdom Brass)
John Stark Award as Best Euphonium or Baritone: Chris Robertson (Kirkintilloch)
David Young Award as Best over 40 soloist: Ian Fleming (Whitburn)
