ARTICLES

2003 Scottish Regional Qualifying Championships

Second Section
Saturday 8th March
Starts: 9.30am

Adjudicators:
Frank Renton, Roger Webster

Test Piece: Celestial Prospect - Wilfred Heaton

Frank Renton and Roger Webster could find themselves with a bit of head scratching in this section as there doesn’t seem to been any real red hot favorites to claim the two qualification spots on offer. The bands seem pretty evenly matched on paper and it may come down to who makes the most music from Wilfred Heaton’s fine composition. All the bands should handle the technical stuff, but the two men in the box know a thing or two about making the good sound great, so they will need to be impressed.

Bands in this section haven’t got the greatest of records in the Nationals either and only Bathgate who won in 1997 and further back in 1989 have lifted the title after qualifying from here. Before them it was 1980, so three wins in 23 years isn’t something to shout too loudly about. The bands making the trip to Dundee this year will surely want to improve on that.

In the past five years the best has been a 3rd place in 1999 and in the last two years 8th has been the top marker from a Scottish band at the Finals.

With Arbroath and Shotts up from the Third Section and Barrhead and Dalkeith down from the First it should make for a very close run contest indeed with all the bands determined to make an impression.

Annan Town
Conductor: D. Shanks

Last Year: 7th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 7th
2001: 9th 1st Section (rel)
2000: 4th 1st Section
1999: 9th 1st Section
1998: 2nd (prom)
1997: 2nd 3rd Section (prom)
1996: 7th 3rd Section

Annan were promoted from the 2nd Section up to the 1st in 1999 and didn’t do too bad in their first two years there, but 9th place in 2001 saw them relegated back down. They consolidated their position somewhat though and came a sturdy 7th. More of the same would be OK but we think they would like to be aiming higher.

Abroath Instrumental
Conductor: M. Robertson

Last Year: 2nd 3rd Section (prom)
Last Seven Years:
2002: 2nd 3rd Section (prom)
2001: Winners 4th Section (prom)
2000: 9th 4th Section
1999: 10th 3rd Section (rel)
1998: 11th 3rd Section
1997: 11th (rel)
1996: 8th

Arbroath were runners up in the 3rd Section last year and went to Torquay where they came 12th under Michael Robertson. They also won the 4th Section here in 2001 and that year came 16th at the Nationals. They seem to be a band back on the upswing though and they could well post a very decent result here this time. We will wait and see.

Barrhead Burgh
Conductor: B. Keachie

Last Year: 5th in 1st Section (rel)
Last Seven Years:
2002: 5th in 1st Section (rel)
2001: 7th 1st Section
2000: 8th 1st Section
1999: 2nd (prom)
1998: 8th 1st Section (rel)
1997: 8th 1st Section
1996: 2nd (prom)

Barrhead must count themselves rather unfortunate to have lost their 1st Section status after they came a very respectful 5th in the 1st Section under the baton of Gavin Lindsay. Now that they have come back down a section they will be keen to emphasise their class and should do well. They were promoted from this section after coming runners up in 1999 and where they went on to come 10that the National Finals.

Clydebank Burgh
Conductor: E. Drysdale

Last Year: 3rd
Last Seven Years:
2002: 3rd
2001: Winners 3rd Section (prom)
2000: Winners 4th Section (prom)
1999: 3rd 4th Section
1998: 7th 3th Section (rel)
1997: 12th 3rd Section
1996: 12th (rel)

Third place last year was an excellent result for Clydebank, but given their rapid rise through the sections since 2000 they will be keen to improve further this year as well. Winners of the 4th Section in 2000 they went on to come 7th at the National Finals and they also took the 3rd Section title in 2001. That year they went to Preston and came 12th. D. Laughland took them there but a new face fronts the band this time in the shape of E. Drysdale. More of the same couldwell be on the cards.

Dalkeith and Monktonhall Colliery
Conductor: TBA

Last Year: 9th 1st Section (rel)
Last Seven Years:
2002: 9th 1st Section (rel)
2001: 8th 1st Section
2000: 6th 1st Section
1999: 8th 1st Section
1998: 10th Championship (rel)
1997: 6th Championship
1996: Winners 1st Section (prom)

In 1997 Dalkeith were coming 6th here in the Championship Section, but since that time they have found the going a bit tough and struggled for four years in the 1st Section before dropping down again after coming 9th last year under I. Fleming. We don’t know who is fronting them this time around as yet, but whoever it is they will be keen to end the downward spiral. The recovery starts here.

Irvine and Dreghorn Brass
Conductor: J. Boax

Last Year: 10th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 10th
2001: DNC
2000: 4th
1999: 6th
1998: 2nd 3rd Section (prom)
1997: 7th (rel)
1996: 11th

A band that feels at home in this section, Irvine lost their lace and dropped down to the 3rd Section in 1998 but spent just the one year there when they came runners up and were promoted. That year they came 3rd at the National Finals under R. Thompson and since then they have more than held their own. They didn’t perform in 2001 and came 10th last year. Could do with a better result this time around, but should be OK.

Kilmarnock Concert Brass
Conductor: A. Keachie

Last Year: 6th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 6th
2001: 3rd
2000: 3rd
1999: 7th 1st Section (rel)
1998: 9th 1st Section
1997: Winners (prom)
1996: Winners 3rd Section (prom)

Andrew Keachie’s band have always produced good performances wherever they go and won the 3rd Section title here in 1997. They found life a bit too tough in the 1st Section though and returned in 2000. Since then they have put up a strong challenge for a qualification spot and have twice come 3rd and last year were 6th. They shouldn’t be discounted not to do well again this year either.

Newmills and Galston
Conductor: C. Anderson

Last Year: 9th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 9th
2001: 10th 1st Section (rel)
2000: 7th 1st Section
1999: 10th Championship (rel)
1998: 7th Championship
1997: 2nd 1st Section (prom)
1996: 6th 1st Section

Craig Anderson directed the band into 9th place last year and hopefully that stopped the rot which had seen the band fall from the Championship Section in 1999, through the 1st Section and into this level quite quickly. If they are serious about climbing back to better days then they will have to put up a good strong showing here as they can’t afford to go backwards any further. It could be a hard day for the band on Saturday.

Renfrew Burgh
Conductor: TBA

Last Year: 5th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 5th
2001: 4th
2000: 5th
1999: 10th
1998: Winners 3rd Section (prom)
1997: 8th 3rd Section
1996: 5th 3rd Section

Renfrew Burgh won the 3rd Section title here in 1998 and went on to come 17th at the National Finals in Harrogate. Since then they have consolidated their position in this section and have now become serious contenders for one of the two qualification spots up for grabs. The last few years have seen a few near misses, but if they have continued to improve they could just well nick it this time. They should be in with a shout come results time.

Selkirk Silver
Conductor: C. Kemp

Last Year: 4th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 4th
2001: 6th
2000: 7th
1999: 3rd
1998: 5th
1997: 5th
1996: 4th


What a consistent record Selkirk have here since 1996 and have come in the top 6 on six of the last seven occasions. The closest they have come to gaining a qualification spot was in 1999 when they came 3rd, but they are always there or thereabouts come results time. 4th last year was close again and C. Kemp once more will be urging his band to gain those couple for extra points that could well mean the difference between a trip to Dundee or another twelve month wait. It could be close again.

Shott’s St. Patrick
Conductor: S. Kerwin

Last Year: Winners 3rd Section (prom)
Last Seven Years:
2002: Winners 3rd Section (prom)
2001: 6th 3rd Section
2000: 5th 3rd Section
1999: 10th 3rd Section
1998: 10th (rel)
1997: 12th
1996: 6th

The talented Simon Kerwin takes the band with the Irish sounding name once more, and they will be looking to build on last year’s fine win in the 3rd Section which gained them promotion. That win saw them make the long trip to Torquay where they managed to come 14th, but their sights will surely be on making a big impression here. They have been here before and came 6th in 1996 before falling away and being relegated in 1998. They will be hoping that fate doesn’t await them this time.

Tullis Russell The Papermakers Mills Band
Conductor: D. Neil

Last Year: 8th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 8th
2001: 2nd 3rd Section (prom)
2000: 6th 3rd Section
1999: 7th (rel)
1998: 12th
1997: 10th 1st Section (rel)
1996: 8th 1st Section


The band with the longest name in all the qualifiers came 8th last year, their first year back in the section after being relegated to the 3rd in 1999. They were runners up in 2001 and that meant they went to Preston for the 3rd Section Finals where they came 15th. D. Neil takes over the baton this year from S. Baker who directed them last year, so both band and MD will be keen to see if they can make a move into the top 6.

Past Winners:

2002: Croy Parish
2001: Livingston Brass
2000: Johnstone Silver
1999: Bon Accord Silver
1998: Tayport Instrumental,
1997: Kilmarnock Concert Brass
1996: Longannet Colliery
1995: Tullis Russell Mills
1994: Broxburn Public
1993: UDI Aberdeen
1992: Kelty and Blairadam
1991: South Side Brass

Winning Conductors:

2002: A. Friel
2001: A. Samson
2000: R. Tennant
1999: A. Swainson
1998: R. Macdonald
1997: A. Keachie
1996: T. Wyss
1995: B. Davis
1994: M. Marzella
1993: E. Kidd
1992: A. Fernie
1991: A. Swainson

Test Pieces:

2002: Symphony for Brass – V. Ewald
2001: The Moor of Venice – W. Alwyn
2000: The Sword, Jewel and Mirror – P. Harper
1999: Symphonic Suite – L. Lucas
1998: Culloden Moor – G. Wood
1997: New Buckingham Suite – A. Jackman
1996: Hollywood – G. Richards
1995: Rococo Variations – A. Street
1994: A Salford Sinfonietta – D. Barry
1993: Oceans – G. Richards
1992: Dimensions - Peter Graham

Adjudicators:

2002: N. Boddice
2001: John Maines
2000: Phillip McCann
1999: Geoff Whitham
1998: D. Broadbent
1997: Peter Parkes
1996: Derek Broadbent
1995: R. Roe

Past Qualifiers:

2002: Croy Parish, Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass
2001: Livingstone Brass, Tayport Instrumental
2000: Johnstone Silver, City of Discovery Brass
1999: Bon Accord Silver, Barrhead Burgh
1998: Tayport Instrumental, Annan Town
1997: Kilmarnock Concert Brass, Bathgate
1996: Longannet Colliery, Barrhead Burgh
1995: Tullis Russell Mills, Dalkeith and Monktonhall

Scottish bands at the Finals:

2002: 8th, 16th
2001: 8th, 15th
2000: 4th, 9th
1999: 3rd, 10th
1998: 13th, 16th

Last Years Result:

1. Croy Parish Silver – A. Friel 186pts
2. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass – A. Ramsey 185pts
3. Clydebank Burgh – D. Laughland 184pts
4. Selkirk Silver – C. Kemp 183pts
5. Renfrew Burgh – C. Keenan 182pts
6. Kilmarnock Concert Brass – A. Keachie 181pts
7. Annan Town – D. Shanks 180pts
8. Tullis Russell Mills – S. Barker 179pts
9. Newmilns and Galston – C. Anderson 178pts
10. Irvine and Dreghorn Brass – J. Boax 176pts
11. Turriff Silver – W. Barron 174pts

4BR Prediction:

A difficult one this, but we will stick our necks on the line and give our predictions. We have a feeling that Barrhead may be the band to beat as last year they did well in the 1st Section and were more than a little unlucky to be relegated, whilst Clydebank who came third last year seem to be a band moving very much in the right direction. It’s those two for the qualification spots then with Kilmarnock and Selkirk close behind and Shott’s and Renfrew battling it out for the other places. Our dark horses could well be Annan Town

1. Barrhead Burgh
2. Clydebank Burgh
3. Kilmarnock Concert
4. Selkirk Silver
5. Shott’s St. Patrick
6. Renfrew Burgh

Dark Horses: Annan Town

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