Talented young brass players recently gathered in Kilmarnock for the 2016 West of Scotland Solo & Ensemble Championships.

Held at the town's Salvation Army Hall, the event was organised by the West of Scotland Brass Band Association and saw nearly 30 soloists taking part along with ensembles in a bid to impress adjudicator, Caroline Farren.

Adjudicator impressed

And impressed she was too, as she told 4BR: "I had a tremendous day listening to the soloists and ensembles. Some of the participants travelled a really long way to take part and they did themselves, their bands and their families proud."

Caroline added: "Playing a solo in front of an audience is not an easy experience but it's a crucial part of a young player's development and everyone showed great maturity on stage."

Qualifiers

Qualifiers from the event will now go on and perform at the Besson Scottish Solo & Ensemble Championships in Livingston in February next year.

Great appetite

Laura Good, Secretary of the West of Scotland Brass Band Association, told 4BR: "The standard at this event continues to impress, with a healthy mix of new and returning faces taking part.

Well done to everyone who took to the stage, particularly those who took home the prizes. It's clear there is still a great appetite for solo and ensemble playing in the West of Scotland, which is sending a strong field of qualifiers to the finals next year."

Playing a solo in front of an audience is not an easy experience but it's a crucial part of a young player's development and everyone showed great maturity on stageAdjudicator, Caroline Farren

Results:

Junior Solos:

Gold Awards:

1. Andrew McMillan (Horn) — Campbeltown Brass
2. Kyle Paterson (Euphonium) — Campbeltown Brass
3. Andrew Colville (Eb Bass) — Campbeltown Brass

Charlie Boax (Baritone) — Irvine & Dreghorn
Libby Hunter (Horn) — Riverside Youth Band

Silver Awards:

Jack Campbell (Horn) — Campbeltown Brass
Rona Campbell (Flugel) — Campbeltown Brass
Drew Cunningham (Cornet) — Campbeltown Brass
Sophie Hall (Cornet) — Stranraer Brass
Hannah McCaig (Cornet) — Campbeltown Brass
Faye McKee (Horn) — Irvine & Dreghorn
Scott Oman (Eb Bass) — Campbeltown Brass
Fraser Waddington (Trombone) — Irvine & Dreghorn

Bronze Awards:

Adam Riddiough (Euphonium) — Dalmellington
Robert Riddiough (Euphonium) — Dalmellington

Junior Ensembles:

1. Campbeltown Brass Junior A (Gold)
2. Argyll Brass Roots Quartet A (Silver)
3. Campbeltown Brass Junior B (Silver)

Argyll Brass Roots Quartet B (Silver)

Intermediate Solos:

Gold Awards:

1. Amy Paterson (Horn) — Campbeltown Brass
2. Gavin Johnson (Eb Bass) — Campbeltown Brass
3. Olivia McCutcheon (Euphonium) — Dalmellington

Hannah Oman (Soprano) — Campbeltown

Silver Awards:

Emma Blain (Horn) — Dalmellington
Alistair Supples (Euphonium) — Argyll Brass
Kyle Fitzsimmons (Cornet) — Dalmellington

Bronze Awards:

Simone Clark (Horn) — Dalmellington
Aimee Wilson (Cornet) — Dalmellington

Intermediate Ensembles:

1. Campbeltown Brass Intermediate Ensemble (Gold)

Youth Solos:

1. Rebecca Wilson (Cornet) — Dalmellington — 96
2. Paul Jamieson (Bb Bass) — Dalmellington — 94
3. Owen Pickering (Bass Trombone) — Campbeltown Brass — 90

Youth Ensembles:

1. Dalmellington Brass Quartet — 95
2. Campbeltown Brass Youth Ensemble — 90

Image courtesy of Linda Cairns (Personally Yours Photography)