2005 Scottish Open Brass Band Championships

The Scottish Challenge Shield

4BR has a quick glance at the five bands that will be taking to the stage to try and gain domestic honours at the first Socttish Challenge Shield contest.

Clackmannan District
Conductor: James Scott

Principal Cornet: Stuart Macaulay
Soprano Cornet: Kenny Foster
Flugelhorn: Kate Bolton
Solo Horn: Graham Caldwell
Principal Euphonium: George Cameron
Solo Trombone: Paul McKelvie
Principal Eb Bass: Craig Dennis
Principal Percussionist: Anne McInnes 
 
Recent Form:
Scottish Championships: 4th
Fife Brass Band Festival: 2nd
FCBA Open: 3rd

Clackmannan have had a solid contest record this year on paper and on the satge its eems. On their last outing with James Scott at the Scottish Championships they gained 4th place and just missed out on a trip to the Lower Section National Finals at Harrogate.

They will be looking a lot higher than that for this contest and they have enough experience throughout the band with solid performers on the corner chairs and in the ranks. James Scott may now be 80 years of age, but he still exudes class. Catch a performance by him as they don't make them like him anymore.

Dalmellington
Conductor: Archie Hutchison

Principal Cornet: Sandy McCulloch
Soprano Cornet: David Roxburgh
Flugelhorn: John Boax
Solo Horn: Chrisropher Dale
Principal Euphonium: David McKellar
Solo Trombone: Derick Kirkwood
Principal Eb Bass: Ian Taylor
Principal Percussionist: Alison Roseblade 
 
Recent Form:
Scottish Championships: 3rd
Senior Cup: 13th
West Lothian: 3rd=
Brass in the Park: Winners
FCBA Open: 2nd  

Dalmellington were favourites to gain promotion back to Championship section this year, but they could only manage 3rd place at the Regional Championships and so missed out on a trip to Harrogate as well.

They have made up for that since then with some very good results against higher ranked opposition with podium finishes and a win in the three other main contetss they have tackled at home. The Senior Cup saw a solid show, but they should fancy their chances here under the experienced Archie Hutchison of adding another winners pennant to the bandroom wall.

Dunaskin Doon
Conductor: John Boax

Principal Cornet: Lorna Young
Soprano Cornet: Katie Ankers
Flugelhorn: Hayley Cole
Solo Horn: Ann Montgomery
Principal Euphonium: Ian Webb
Solo Trombone: Phill Fleming
Principal Eb Bass: Ward McCormack
Principal Percussionist: Barry Jack 
 
Recent Form:
Scottish Championships: 5th
FCBA Open: 7th  

Dunaskin Doon are a very consistent band in Scotland and by all accounts have not been outside the top five at any Scottish Regional Championship for the past five years. That should continue here, and not just because there are only five bands on show. Plenty of quality players and a very good MD,  a podium place will be the least of their ambitions.

Granite City Brass
Conductor: Edward Paley

Principal Cornet: Michael Chapman
Soprano Cornet: Alan Haggart
Flugelhorn: Stewart Gilmour
Solo Horn: Moira Ross
Principal Euphonium: Kenneth Chapman
Solo Trombone: Bruce Wallace
Principal Eb Bass: Alex Paterson
Principal Percussionist: Colin Reid 
 
Recent Form:
Scottish Championships: Winners (2nd section)
Northern Counties: Winners
National Finals: 6th 

Relegated to the Second Section last year Granite City took stock under David James and have been on sparkling form ever since. They won the Scottish Championships with an excellent performance of 'Variations for Brass Band' and went on to come 6th at Harrogate - a little unlucky not have come higher either. Since then they have also won the Northern Counties contest and with new MD Edward Paley we are sure they will be looking to add further success here.

Lochgelly
Conductor: Jim Chamberlain

Principal Cornet: Stuart Hepburn
Soprano Cornet: Rab Nicol
Flugelhorn: Karen Brow
Solo Horn: Fiona McAlpine
Principal Euphonium: Jane Dewar
Solo Trombone: Aileen Russell
Principal Eb Bass: John Martin
Principal Percussionist: Irene Carstairs 
 
Recent Form:
Scottish Championships: 2nd (2nd section)
Fife Brass Band Festival: 2nd
Northern Counties: 3rd
Land O' Burns: 7th
Brass in the Park: 10th
National Finals: 15th 

This we understand is Lochgellys first contest back in the First Section for almost 15 years. Over the last few years they have made remarkable progress up the sections under Gavin Lindsay and now Jim Chamberlain, the talented flugel horn player of the Whitburn Band. Their results this year have been excellent, although Harrogate must have been a major disappointment for them. Still it would appear they still have enough left in the tanks to try and round off the year in style here. Let's see.