The Newtongrange Band made it a clean sweep of the prizes at the recent Fife Charities Band Association contest in Kirkcaldy.

Under the direction of MD Andrew Duncan, their fine own-choice performance of the Royal Albert Hall National Championship test-piece, 'Titan's Progress' gave them a narrow single-point margin of victory over top-flight rivals Bon Accord Silver.

It was the band's first victory at the event since 1978, as they also went on to pick up the separate accolades for the 'Best Hymn Tune' ('Aurelia' arranged by Andrew Duncan) and the 'Best March' ('March from the Jazz Suite' by Shostakovich).

The result continues to upward rise in contest fortunes for the Midlothian band in 2019. They came third at the Scottish Championship, gained a top-six finish at the Senior Cup and came fourth at the recent Dr Martin Wainstone's Cup event, where they also played Herman Pallhuber's demanding composition.

Senior Trophy qualifiers

Runner-up Bon Accord was looking to reclaim the title they last won in 2017, but on this occasion had to be content in securing a well-earned qualification to the British Open Senior Trophy contest in Blackpool.

Their solidly constructed rendition of 'The Promised Land' under the baton of Adman Cooke, who flew in from his home in Norway to lead them, also saw them claim the individual awards for basses, percussion, trombone and euphonium/baritone. They also came runner-up in the march and fourth in the hymn tune categories.

Bo'ness & Carriden was also looking to reclaim the title — although for the first time since 1969, as they gave a well defined account of Edward Gregson's 'Of Men and Mountains' under Alistair Gibson to end third. They also came fourth in the march and third in the hymn tune categories.

Top-six

With the battle for title a three-way Championship Section affair, defending champion, Kingdom Brass had to be content with fourth place, although they did pick up the prize as 'Best Fife Band', 'Best First Section Band' and 'Best Cornet' with their rendition of 'The Torchbearer'.

The final top-six places went to Championship Section rivals Johnstone ('Tallis Variations') and First Section Granite City ('The Raid'). The 'Best Horn' prize went to Bathgate.

Awards

The Second Section honours were claimed by Clackmannan & District conducted by Ross Brotherston with their bold performance of the classic 'Pageantry', whilst the Third Section prize went to a confident Whitburn Heartlands led by Iain Fleming who played 'Dimensions'.

Bon Accord B picked up the trophy for the 'Best Fourth Section Band' giving an exciting account of 'The Dark Side of the Moon' under Jennifer Cook, whilst Dysart Colliery took the award for 'Best Fife Band B' with their performance of 'Northern Landscapes'.

On what was another very well run day, it was also good to see the welcome visitors of Third Carrickfergus from Northern Ireland make the trip to compete at the event for the first time.

Under the direction of MD Andrew Duncan, their fine own-choice performance of the Royal Albert Hall National Championship test-piece, 'Titan's Progress' gave them a narrow single-point margin of victory4BR

Result:

Adjudicators: Leigh Baker and Scott Findlater

1. Newtongrange (Andrew Duncan) -195
2. Bon Accord Silver (Adam Cooke) -194
3. Bo'ness & Carriden (Alistair Gibson) -192
4. Kingdom Brass (Paul Drury) -191
5. Johnstone Band (Chris Bradley) -190
6. Granite City (Bruce Wallace) -189
7. Bathgate (Mark Good) -187
8. Annan Town (David Hamilton) — 185
9. Clackmannan District (Ross Brotherston) -184
10. Dalkeith & Monktonhall (Jim Chamberlain) -183
11. Lochgelly (Paul McKelvie) -175
12. Third Carrickfergus (Brian Connolly) -174
13. Tullis Russell Mills (Ray Munday) -173
14. Whitburn Heartlands (Iain Fleming) -172
15. St Ronan's Silver (Kenneth Letham) -170
16. Bon Accord Silver B (Jennifer Cook) -167
17. Renfrew Burgh (Mark James) -166
18. Dysart Colliery (Kenneth Letham) -165
19. MacTaggart Scott Loanhead (George Cameron) -164

Winning Conductor: Andrew Duncan
Qualification for the 2020 Senior Trophy: Bon Accord A

Best March: Newtongrange
Best Hymn Tune: Newtongrange

Best Fife A Band: Kingdom Brass
Best Fife B Band: Dysart Colliery
Best First Section Band: Kingdom Brass
Best Second Section Band: Clackmannan District
Best Third Section Band: Whitburn Heartlands
Best Fourth Section Band: Bon Accord B

Individual Awards:
Best Cornet: Kingdom Brass
Best Horn: Bathgate
Best Euphonium/Baritone: Euphonium (Bon Accord)
Best Trombone: Bon Accord
Best Basses: Bon Accord
Best Percussion: Bon Accord