Keenly fought domestic rivalries were re-engaged on the weekend as the second half of the Scottish banding season got underway at the prize laden Land O’ Burns Entertainment contest in Troon.
Winning ways
At the end of a highly enjoyable event there were late night celebrations for Whitburn to enjoy as they returned to winning ways, especially as they did so by beating reigning champion Co-operative Funeralcare into second place with Johnstone Silver in third.
Under the baton of Jim Chamberlain, Whitburn’s 20 minute programme of the circus march ‘Barnum & Bailey’s Favourite’, the trumpet duet ‘Jealousy’ featuring Chris Bradley and Caroline Farren, ‘Nimrod’ from ‘Enigma Variations’, Chic Corea’s ‘La Fiesta’ and blockbuster finale of ‘Nightingale Dances’ saw them claim the Knoweview Trophy and the £3,000 first prize by single point from their heavyweight rivals.
Chris Bradley and Alex Philip also took individual awards as ‘Best Principal Cornet’ and ‘Best Trombone’ in what was a highly encouraging start to the new musical link with their former flugel star.
Wonderful
"Our first win at the contest since 2009 is a wonderful way to begin our partnership," Whitburn Secretary John Fraser told 4BR.
"The band has worked hard over the last few months and has been building towards this event with a programme that we felt had contrast, style and substance to give it great entertainment value."
He added: "It’s also a great boost for the rest of the season too — with our sights now firmly set on making a mark at the National Finals and Scottish Open."
No Co-op boost
It meant there was to be no pre-British Open title boost for Co-operative Funeralcare, despite picking up a handy cheque of £1,200 under Allan Ramsay — although music adjudicator David Thornton told the audience at Troon Concert Hall that he had a ‘difficult task’ in picking the winners in what was a contest of ‘high standard’ playing.
Their set of ‘Los Hermanos De Bop’, the cornet duet ‘Quicksilver’, ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ and finale of ‘Turris Fortissima’ saw principal cornet Jim Hayes, flugel Andrea Casey and euphonium Scott Kerr take well deserved individual awards, whilst their tuba quartet also took the ‘Best Bass Section’ trophy, but it was the overall consistency of Whitburn that still held sway with the euphonium star.
Innovative Johnstone
Meanwhile, an innovative approach from Johnstone Sliver certainly helped them to claim the final podium place under Martyn Ramsay, with a set that included an evocative violin led rendition of the theme to the film ‘Schindler’s List’, to complement the choreographed ‘Come follow the Band’ opening and closing finale from Tchaikovsky’s ‘Symphony No 4’.
They took home the £600 third prize with Gordon Kyle claiming the ‘Best Soprano’ trophy for his fine contribution.
Tullis 750
There was certainly a pre-Nationals financial boost for Tullis Russell Mills as the in-form Cheltenham finalist took both fourth place and the prize as highest placed Second Section band under Paul Drury to head home with a bank balance addition of £750.
It meant that Unison Kinneil had to be content with the ‘Best First Section Band’ honours in fifth, with Dunaskin Doon taking the ‘Best Third Section’ and ‘Best Percussion’ prizes in coming ninth in the 12 band field.
Coalburn entertainment
Coalburn Silver in sixth overall certainly lived up to contest’s entertainment ethos with Rachel Carmicheal taking the ‘Best Horn’ award as they took the £500 prize on offer as the ‘Most Entertaining Band’ from adjudicator Iain Shaw (judged separately), whilst the ‘Highest Placed Ayrshire Band’ went to Newmilns & Galston.
New date
With the contest once again providing a very generous prize fund for the competitors, it was also announced that the event will move to earlier date in the calendar in 2015 in a bid to attract competitors from both sides of Hadrian’s Wall.
Contest organiser Bert Ritchie told 4BR: "We have wonderful support from South Ayrshire Council, and as our percussion workshop showed with Simone Rebello, we wish to continue to attract support and performers from all over the UK to enjoy what we have to offer.
Our 20th event this year was a great success and we wish to build on that, so we hope to be able to attract more bands by bringing the contest forward to Saturday 20th June next year."
The band has worked hard over the last few months and has been building towards this event with a programme that we felt had contrast, style and substance to give it great entertainment valueJohn Fraser, Whitburn
Full Results:
Adjudicator: David Thornton
1. Whitburn (Jim Chamberlain) — 98
2. Co-operative Funeralcare (Allan Ramsay) — 97
3. Johnstone Silver (Martyn Ramsay) — 95
4. Tullis Russell Mills (Paul Drury) — 94
5. Unison Kinneil (Craig Anderson) — 93
6. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman) — 91
7. Shott’s St Patrick’s (Michael Marzella) — 90
8. Newmilns & Galston (Alan Camerson) — 89
9. Dunaskin Doon (Gary Williams) — 88
10. Irvine & Dreghorn (John Boax) — 87
11. Barrhead Burgh (Brian Keachie) — 85
12. Dumfries Town (Neill MacDonald) — 84
Awards:
Best First Section Band: Unison Kinneil
Best Second Section Band: Tullis Russell Mills
Best Third Section Band: Dunaskin Doon
Most Entertaining Band: Coalburn Silver
Highest Placed Ayrshire Band: Newmilns & Galston
Best Instrumentalist: Jim Hayes (Co-operative Funeralcare)
Best Principal Cornet: Chris Bradley (Whitburn)
Best Soprano: Gordon Kyle (Johnstone Silver)
Best Flugel: Andrea Casey (Co-operative Funeralcare)
Best Horn: Rachel Carmichael (Coalburn Silver)
Best Trombone: Alex Philip (Whitburn)
Best Euphonium: Co-operative Funeralcare
Best Bass Section: Co-operative Funeralcare
Best Percussion Section: Dunaskin Doon
