The Lochgelly Band hosted their annual Slow Melody contest on Sunday 27th April.

Now in its sixth year the contest commemorates band stalwart Bill Shaw and the contest has been steadily building in reputation over the years and has enjoyed good support from bands throughout Scotland.

Plenty to enjoy

This year's contest saw nine entries in the junior event and thirteen in the open contest for adjudicator Jim Chamberlain to enjoy.

In the junior contest it was young cornet player Hayley Edmond of Whitburn who took victory ahead of fellow cornetist Murray McFarlane of Lochgelly.

Jim Chamberlain added that it bodes well for the future of Scottish banding that four of the top six placings in the Open contest were filled by junior players4BR

Excellent peformance

Hayley's excellent performance of "Macushla" just pipped Murray and his fine performance of "Softly Awakes My Heart". Michael Abbot, Susan Curuthers, Kenneth Fair, Chris Hamilton, Catherine Lockhart, Rachel Neil and David Sellars were all awarded merit certificates.

Jim Chamberlian stated that all the entrants in the junior contest were excellent and made a valuable contribution to what was the best junior contest in the events short history.

Double winnner

In the Open contest it was Hayley again who emerged as the winner and became the first person to complete the double by lifting both trophies.

Runner up was another rising star of the future, horn player Rachel Neil of Dunfermline Town whilst third place and awarded the trophy for the highest placed Lochgelly band player was euphonium player Wesley Stuart — at "a shade under 40", the oldest player to make the top four.

Future stars

Jim Chamberlain added that it bodes well for the future of Scottish banding that four of the top six placings in the Open contest were filled by junior players. Not only that, he added, but they are all players who have the talent and ability to go on and make a name for themselves in the future.

The Lochgelly Band would like to pass on its congratulations to the winners and its thanks to all of the competitors who all helped make the contest a fitting tribute to the man whose name it bears.

Bill Shaw Memorial Slow Melody Contest:

Junior Section:

1. Hayley Edmond (Whitburn) - 94
2. Murray McFarlane (Lochgelly) - 93
3. Rachel Neil (Dunfermline Town) - 92

Merit Awards:
Michael Abbot (Dunfermline Town)
Susan Curuthers ((Whitburn Juniors)
Kenneth Fair Whitburn Juniors)
Chris Hamilton (Unison Kinneil)
Catherine Lockhart (Lochgelly High School)
David Sellars (Dysart Youth Band)

Open Section:

1. Hayley Edmond (Whitburn) - 96
2. Rachel Neil (Dunfermline Town) - 95
3. Wesley Stuart (Lochgelly) - 94
4. Lauren Robb (Unison Kinneil) - 93
5. Carol Sandell (Kingdom Brass) - 92
6. Murray McFarlane (Lochgelly) - 91
7. Alan Douglas (No band) - 90
8. Bill Guyan (Lochgelly) - 89
9. John Martin (Lochgelly) - 88
10. Michael Abbot (Dunfermline Town) - 87
11. Katy Anderson (Clackmannan District) - 86
12. Neil McCormack (Lochgelly) - 85
13. David Bennison (Lochgelly) - 84