The first weekend of the Scottish Brass Band Association Festival of Brass saw Perth Concert Hall packed to the rafters as hundreds of young brass band players provided wonderful entertainment for their proud supporters.
Commitment
SBBA’s long term commitment to youth development continues to flourish with bands from just about every outpost of the nation making the trip to compete.
In the Premier Section, the indefatigable Ian Taylor led Dalmellington Junior Band to a Gold Award title victory over their excellent rivals Moray Concert Brass, whilst the welcome competitive return of a rebuilding West Lothian Schools saw them claim the Senior Section, also with a Gold Award winning performance under the baton of Anne Crookston.
Senior pressure
A clear indication of the commitment to youth development by one of the country’s leading top flight bands saw Whitburn Youth Band pile the pressure on their senior counterparts to try an emulate their success at the Scottish Open this weekend!
The next generation (or two) of Whitburn stars took the Development Section title with a wonderful Gold Award winning performance under the senior band’s flugel player Caroline Farren.
The excellent standard of playing from all 14 bands also saw Hawick Schools Youth Band take a Gold Award as they came runner-up.
Outstanding
Ten outstanding ensembles took part in the Preparatory Section event, where the vastly experienced Gordon Evans MBE led Campbeltown Brass Junior to Gold Award success, enabling them to pip their rivals Riverside Youth Band, who also gained a well deserved Gold Award.
It was also ‘double’ success as Campbeltown Junior Brass conducted by Katrina Barr took the Novice Section title with a Gold Award performance to just end ahead of the excellent St Ronan's Future Band who also went home with Gold to their name.
Three rhythmically precise ensembles battled for the Percussion title, with Midlothian Percussion Ensemble directed by Barbara J Waddell taking the glory with their Gold Award playing.
Challenge Cup
Finally, there was a trio of well delivered performances to enjoy in the Challenge Cup Section, where Renfrew Burgh directed by Mark Good, took the honours with a fine rendition of ‘Cross Patonce’ by Goff Richards.
It enabled the band to beat off the keen challenge of Tullis Russell Mills Intermediate’s colourful ‘Music for a Festival’, with Callender Brass in third with their performance of ’Anglian Dances’.
In the Premier Section, the indefatigable Ian Taylor led Dalmellington Junior Band to a Gold Award title victory over their excellent rivals Moray Concert Brass4BR
Results:
2014 SBBA Festival of Brass Youth & Cup Championships:
Premier Section:
Adjudicators: David Childs & Nigel Boddice
1. Dalmellington Junior Band (Ian Taylor) (Gold)
2. Moray Concert Brass Glenn (M Munro) (Silver)
Senior Section:
Adjudicators: David Childs & Joseph Cook
1. West Lothian Schools Band (Anne Crookston) (Gold)
2. Tullis Russell Youth (Dean Bromage) (Silver)
Development Section:
Adjudicators: Nigel Boddice & John Doyle
1. Whitburn Youth Band (Caroline Farren) (Gold)
2. Hawick Schools Youth Band (Rob Hume) (Gold)
Gold Award:
Arbroath Instrumental Youth (Ann Ness)
Silver Awards:
Abbey Brass (Stuart Black)
Kings Park Youth Brass (Alan Pratt)
Loanhead Brass Youth (Alan Fernie)
South Ayrshire Youth Band (Scott Walker)
St David's Youth Band (John A Dickson)
Bronze Awards:
Argyll Brass (Darren Tarn)
Helensburgh & Lomond Youth (Sarah Grant)
Kinneil Youth Band (Scott Gardner)
Kirkintilloch Youth Band (Neil Robertson)
Levern Valley Community Band (Brian Deans)
Perthshire Youth Band (David Finlay)
Preparatory Section:
Adjudicators: David Childs & Nigel Boddice
1. Campbeltown Brass Junior (Gordon Evans MBE) (Gold)
2. Riverside Youth Band (Lynda Nicholson) (Gold)
Silver Awards:
Galashiels Junior Band (Stuart Black)
Newtongrange SB Youth Initiative (Alan Fernie)
St David’s Budding Brass (John A Dickson)
Bronze Awards:
Coalburn Bronze Band (Euan Meikle)
Gorbals Youth Band (Lauren McCormick)
Kingdom Brass Youth Initiative (Robert McDonald)
Newland Junior Band (Karen Heenan)
South Ayrshire Training Band (Sandy McAughtrie)
Novice Section:
Adjudicators: Joe Cook & Paul Cosh
1. Campbeltown Junior Brass (Katrina Barr) (Gold)
2. St Ronan's Future Band (David Robb) (Gold)
Silver Awards:
Galashiels Youth Band (Stuart Black)
James Young Cluster Band (Barbara Poynter)
Kirkintilloch Junior Band (Neil Robertson)
St Davids Junior Band (Emily Brown)
Bronze Awards:
Loanhead Brass Roots (Andrew Pennycook)
Penicuik Youth Band (Stuart Black)
Percussion Section:
Adjudicators David Childs & JosephCook
1. Midlothian Percussion Ensemble (Barbara J Waddell) (Gold)
2. South Ayrshire Percussion Ensemble (Gavin Welsh) (Silver)
3. Kingdom Percussion Academy (Lynsey Paterson) (Bronze)
Scottish Challenge Cup:
Adjudicators: Paul Cosh & John Doyle
1. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good) — 86
2. Tullis Russell Intermediate (Steven Craig) — 85
3. Callander Brass (Ian Milligan) — 83
