Whitburn rounded off their 2014 season on a spectacular musical high on the weekend in Perth, as they reclaimed the Scottish Open title in the most commanding fashion under the baton of Michael Fowles.

An outstanding performance of Andrew Duncan’s test piece, ‘Cantata for Brass Band and Percussion’ saw them gain unanimous approval from the three separate judges, Tom Davoren, Professor John Miller and the composer himself, to take the £3,000 first prize.

First time winners

It is the first time since the contest changed its adjudication process in 2010 to use separate open judges that the title has been won in such a manner, and only the second occasion that the system has recorded complete agreement on any top six finish performance.

Whitburn’s emphatic victory meant that defending champion and hat-trick seeking rival Co-operative Funeralcare had to be content with the runner-up prize of £1,500 under Allan Ramsay, whilst Rothwell Temperance was the top English challenger in third under Dave Roberts — heading home to Yorkshire with £500.

The final top six places were claimed by a Kirkintilloch, Reg Vardy and Wingates.

Happy President

No wonder then Whitburn Band President Dave Kinross was full of happy pre-Christmas spirit. “This is a performance that has been coming for some time,” he said.

“Our thanks go to Michael Fowles, who instilled such confidence in the band. It’s been a long, demanding and at times difficult contest year, but we knew things would eventually click on the contest stage.

To finish it off with such a tremendous performance, and off such an early draw, gives us huge confidence as we look ahead to the new season and the Scottish Championship in March.”

Second out of seven

It was Whitburn’s second contest success of 2014 — a year which has seen them take to the stage on seven occasions, three of which have been at Perth, under five different conductors.

“It has been so intense,” Dave added. “From the Scottish Championship, Grand Shield, European and National Finals to Land O’ Burns and West Lothian events, the players have given huge commitment, so to round things off in this manner was reward for their brilliant efforts.”

Conductor praise

The winning conductor was also full of praise for the band.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them. You wouldn’t have guessed this was their seventh contest of a long season. John Boax did a great job in preparation, and they did everything I asked of them on my visits — especially in the last week which saw us rehearse every night.”

Mike also revealed that that type of commitment was also essential on such an immensely difficult set work.

“It’s a great piece from Andy Duncan — but one that has so many components to bring together. The band bought into my musical concept — one that certainly built into such a high quality performance on stage. Even though it was so hard, I think we all enjoyed it.”

No doubt

After talking with his fellow adjudicators after the announcement of the results, adjudicator Tom Davoren told 4BR that all three were in no doubt about that title winning quality from Whitburn.

“It was a very good performance,” he said. “It was a clear winner in my opinion and with John and Andy. It was so well structured, directed and delivered.”

In fact the judges were revealed to be in very close agreement with their top six finishers, with Co-operative Funeralcare gaining two second places and a third, Rothwell, a second, third and fourth, and Kirkintilloch, a fourth and two fifths.

Tom added: "The overall standard was very good, especially on such a demanding work.

It was a highly enjoyable contest. So many bands brought something out of the music, but just had inconsistencies in delivery. The winners gave a very complete performance."

Small glitch

And despite a small glitch in the initial publication of the results, there was surprisingly little in the way of major differences of adjudicator opinion throughout — although Marsden Silver didn’t find the same favour with the composer as they did with the other two judges in eventually finishing eighth off the number 1 draw.

It was left to Whitburn to push the contest winning bar to an imposing height off the number 3 draw with a performance full of confidence, detail and precise execution.

Not at ease

It proved to be a level that none of the other 15 contenders could match — not even the defending champion who even with a favourable late draw never quite sounded as composed or as at ease as their old rivals.

Rothwell Temperance meanwhile will have taken great heart from a typically well prepared and solidly delivered performance in third — aided by the superb soprano cornet playing of 4BR ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award winner Jonathon Hammond.

A rejuvenated Kirkintilloch will also have headed home happy with their fourth place finish under Raymond Tennant, whilst a bold but slightly misfiring Reg Vardy could only end fifth under John Roberts.
The final top six place went to a very happy Wingates, who continued their solid rebuilding form under the baton of Paul Andrews.

Exposing

With Andrew Duncan’s demanding work exposing ensemble and solo line fragilities, more inconsistent accounts eventually found themselves in the midfield placings, whilst others certainly struggled to overcome the imposing technical difficulties of the transparent score.

And although Perth Concert Hall was certainly not packed to the rafters, a typically well organised and run event by SBBA once again showed that there remains a healthy appetite for a tasty cross border musical skirmish between well match Scottish and English counterparts.

Whitburn in particular will be licking their lips in anticipation of more battles to come on this form for sure.

The band bought into my musical concept — one that certainly built into such a high quality performance on stage. Even though it was so hard, I think we all enjoyed itWhitburn MD, Michael Fowles

Result:

Scottish Open Championship:
Test Piece: Cantata for Brass Band and Percussion (Andrew Duncan)

Adjudicators: Tom Davoren, Professor John Miller, Andrew Duncan
Davoren/Miller*/Duncan = Total

1. Whitburn (Michael Fowles): 1/1/1 = 3
2. Co-operative Funeralcare (Allan Ramsay): 2/3/2 = 7
3. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts): 3/2/4 = 9
4. Kirkintilloch (Raymond Tennant): 4/5/5 = 14
5. Reg Vardy (John Roberts): 7/7/3 = 17
6. Wingates (Paul Andrews): 6/10/6 = 22
7. NASUWT Riverside (Ray Farr): 10/4/8 = 22
8. Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams): 5/6/15 = 26
9. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan): 11/8/9 = 28
10. Blackburn & Darwen (Huw Thomas): 8/9/13 = 30
11. Yorkshire Imperial DUT (Stig Maersk): 9/12/12 = 33
12. Fishburn (Joseph Cook): 12/13/11 = 36
13. Damellington (Archie Hutchison): 14/15/7 = 36
14. Shepherd Building Group (Richard Wilton): 13/14/10 = 37
15. Rainford (Gareth Brindle): 15/11/14 = 40
16. Johnstone Silver (Martyn Ramsay): 16/16/16 = 48

*Tie break position given by John Miller

4BR Best Instrumentalist: Jonathon Hammond (soprano) — Rothwell Temperance