With the 2014 season winding to a close with the European banding nations of Belgium and Switzerland looking to decide its various National Champions in Heist and Montruex on the weekend, there is still just enough room in the domestic contesting calendar to squeeze in one last major event.
Scottish Open
The Scottish Open Championship will take place at Perth Concert Hall on Saturday.
It’s a tasty looking cross border battle featuring 16 bands performing Andrew Duncan’s ‘Cantata for Brass Band and Percussion’, which he states tries to ‘express and encompass many different emotions ranging from despair to ecstasy and from rage to tenderness.’
Judges
Many if not all of those will certainly be on display after the announcement of the results, although the competing bands shouldn’t have too much to complain about as the composer is joined in the open and separate adjudication process by Professor John Miller from the RNCM and fellow composer and conductor Tom Davoren.
Reigning champion
Reigning champion Co-operative Funeralcare will be looking to make it a hat trick of victories under the baton of Allan Ramsay, although they are sure to up against a phalanx of strong home rivals in the likes of former winner Whitburn.
The brace of Kirkintilloch and Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass are joined by Dalmellington and Johnstone make up a formidable domestic presence.
Strong English assault
However, there is also a strong looking assault in prospect from the English contenders — led by former winners Fishburn, who are joined by Reg Vardy, fresh from their top ten finish at the Albert Hall, Shepherd Building Group and NASUWT Riverside from the North of England region.
Yorkshire is represented by the powerful looking trio of Marsden Silver, Rothwell Temperance and Yorkshire Imps, with a confident Red Rose challenge coming from Wingates, Rainford and Blackburn & Darwen.
Challenge Shield
There is also a tasty looking contesting aperitif to whet the taste buds with 11 Scottish banding clans locking horns to claim the Scottish Challenge Shield. The own choice contest kicks the day off at 9.00am, with plenty of great music for the audience and judge’s Nigel Boddice, Duncan Beckley and Robert Richardson to enjoy.
Both contests have been pre-drawn with the results expected at around 1.00pm and 8.00pm.
Andrew Duncan’s ‘Cantata for Brass Band and Percussion’, which he states tries to ‘express and encompass many different emotions ranging from despair to ecstasy and from rage to tenderness.4BR
Scottish Challenge Shield
Adjudicators: Nigel Boddice, Duncan Beckley, Robert Richardson
1. Arbroath Instrumental (Michael Robertson)
2. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman)
3. St. David's Brass (John A. Dickson)
4. Perthshire Brass (Jason Blyth)
5. Granite City Brass (Bruce Wallace)
6. Shott’s St Patricks (Michael Marzella)
7. Bathgate (Anne Crookston)
8. Dalkeith & Monktonhall (James Chamberlain)
9. Tullis Russell Mills (Paul Drury)
10. Bon-Accord Silver (Stephen Malcolm)
11. Unison Kinneil (Craig Anderson)
Scottish Open Championship:
Adjudicators: Tom Davoren, Professor John Miller, Andrew Duncan
1. Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams)
2. Fishburn (Joseph Cook)
3. Whitburn (Michael Fowles)
4. Rainford (Gareth Brindle)
5. Johnstone Silver (Martyn Ramsay)
6. Yorkshire Imperial DUT (Stig Maersk)
7. Shepherd Building Group (Richard Wilton)
8. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan)
9. Kirkintilloch (Raymond Tennant)
10. NASUWT Riverside (Ray Farr)
11. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
12. Reg Vardy (John Roberts)
13. Blackburn & Darwen (Huw Thomas)
14. Wingates (Paul Andrews)
15. Co-operative Funeralcare (Allan Ramsay)
16. Damellington (Archie Hutchison)
