Whitburn Band is enjoying the feeling of victory following its 15th ‘Scottish’ win last weekend.

The band, conducted by Russell Gray, became Scottish champions aided by their principal cornet Chris Bradley winning the coveted Terris Medal as best cornet player of the day and with the bass section retaining it's best bass section title too.

Whitburn’s victory in Glenrothes means they will represent Scotland at the European Championships in Ostend next year.

Fantastic win

Band President Alex Vidler told 4BR: "The ‘Scottish’ is the most prestigious contest north of the border and to win it for the 15th time is fantastic. We now need to concentrate on fundraising initiatives for the British Open, the Nationals, and of course those European Championships next year."

Alex added: "Everyone involved with the band would like to thank Russell Gray, while special mentions must go to Andrew Duncan for his help preparing the test piece and to Marit Holm, who travelled over from Norway to perform with the band."

Whitburn Band don’t have a sponsor so every project we undertake comes out of the players own pockets. We are hoping our victory at the Scottish Championships will attract the attention of potential investorsBand President,Alex Vidler

Sponsorship

Alex is hoping that the victory could now mean the possibility of some overdue sponsorship help: "Whitburn Band don’t have a sponsor so every project we undertake comes out of the players own pockets. We are hoping our victory at the Scottish Championships will attract the attention of potential investors."

Whitburn has now completed the double by becoming the Scottish champion and the Scottish Open champion concurrently, whilst they are also the current Scottish Band of the Year, the Land O’Burns and the Brass in the Park champion.

History

The Scottish Championships meanwhile were a very special weekend for many members of the band. Some were experiencing their first ‘Scottish’ win, whilst Alex himself was toasting his 15th and Sam Knox notched up his 13th.

Sam, who is 73, was sitting in the third cornet section with 15-year-old Hayley Edmond, who has recently enjoyed being part of the innovative youth adjudication initiative at the Yorkshire regional.

Conducting success

The ‘Scottish’ weekend was also a success for a number of conductors related to the band too.

Andrew Duncan won the West of England championship with Mount Charles on the same day as Whitburn’s success, whilst flugel star Jim Chamberlain won the Scottish Third Section title with Dalkeith and Monktonhall. Robert Fraser directed Newlands Band home to third place in his conducting debut in the Fourth Section and Chris Bradley rounded off his busy weekend by leading Jedburgh to sixth place in the Second Section.