ARTICLES

2003 Scottish Regional Qualifying Championships

Third Section
Sunday 9th March
Starts: 10.30am

Adjudicators: John Berryman, Roger Webster

Test Piece: Northern Landscapes - Peter Graham

Two great cornet players – one from the past and one from the present will have the task of seperating the bands in the Third Section. Both know a thing or two about making music sound more than just notes on the stave and that could well be the secret for the bands to try and find in Peter Graham’s “Northern Landscapes”. There are plenty of notes for sure, but making music from them is surely the recipe for success.

Third Section bands haven’t done very well in the past two years at the National Finals and can only boast a cope of 12th places as their best, but they did produce a winner in Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass in 2000 and the runners up Livingston. Apart from that great year it hasn’t been too great and you have to go back to 1954 when Whitburn won to find another victor at the Finals. With the contest taking place on home territory this year that is a record they will surely wish to improve upon.

Buckhaven Methil Miners
Conductor: B. Fraser

Last Year: 6th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 6th
2001: 3rd
2000: 8th
1999: 5th
1998: 10th
1997: 2nd 4th Section (prom)
1996: 4th 4th Section

The experienced Bruce Fraser comes to lead the assault on this years title after coming 6th last year with Alan Fernie. A strong middle of the band sound will help in Northern Landscapes along with good experience on the solo stands. The band came 3rd in 2001 and just missed out on a trip to Preston, but they have more than held their own since being promoted in 1998. A possible top 6 place beckons.

Campbeltown Brass
Conductor: G. Evans

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

The thought of not having to drive 5 hours to get to the area contest on a Sunday morning is incentive in itself to get out of Section 3 for Campbeltown. A young band who play with great maturity and enthusiasm and respond wonderfully to the direction of Gordon Evans. Will have to work hard to improve on last years 10th spot though and they could find it hard work on Sunday.

Dunfermline Town
Conductor: S. Duncan

Last Year: 7th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 7th
2001: 11th
2000: 3rd
1999: 7th
1998: 5th
1997: 3rd
1996: 10th

The experienced percussionist Steve Duncan takes charge again this year for the Fifers. A better band than the 7th of last year suggests, they will have their work cut out to qualify but a top 6 finish is on the cards. They have a consistent record here and can boast two 3rd places in 1997 and 2000. Will be looking for that again but not this year we think.

Dundee Instrumental (St. Margaret’s)
Conductor: J. Tonner

Last Year: 9th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 9th
2001: 2nd 4th Section (prom)
2000: 7th 4th Section
1999: 8th 4th Section
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

After coming back onto the contest scene in 1999 after a 10 year break, the band has been steadily building towards this years contest. Dundee have a great many youngsters around the stands that are still learning their trade and although there are some wily old heads around too, a repeat of last years 9th is on the cards. The band came runners up in the 4th Section in 2001 and went to Preston where they came 17th. Nice to see them battling well though.

Jedforest Instrumental
Conductor: A. Fernie

Last Year: 2nd 4th Section (prom)
Last Seven Years:
2002: 2nd 4th Section (prom)
2001: 5th 4th Section
2000: 6th 4th Section
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

A band that won countrywide recognition in Torquay at the 4th section finals last year for their blue hair. Hair aside, this band is no slouch and in soprano David Lightbody, have a player of real quality. They came 13th in Torquay and rumours suggest they are ready to put in a strong challenge. Expect a wonderfully musical reading from Alan Fernie that will see the Borders lads and lassies be there or thereabouts come the results.

Lochgelly
Conductor: G. Lindsay

Last Year: Winners 4th Section (prom)
Last Seven Years:
2002: Winners 4th Section (prom)
2001: 12th (rel)
2000: 7th
1999: 5th
1998: 3rd
1997: 6th
1996: 4th

Such is the expectation of this band after their blistering win in the 4th section last year 8th at the Nationals was regarded as somewhat disappointing. This however, was followed by a win at the Mineworkers in Blackpool made some amends. They performed well at this level for some time before being relegated after 2001, but the one year sabbatical seems to have rejuvenated them. Skilfully directed by ex CWS soprano, Gavin Lindsay, the band play with the balance and maturity of sound you would expect of a band further up the sections. Make no mistake this is a band on the rise and our tip for a second successive win.

MacTaggart Scott Loanhead
Conductor: A. Fernie

Last Year: 5th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 5th
2001: 7th
2000: 11th
1999: 3rd
1998: 4th
1997: 5th
1996: 3rd

Another band that will benefit from the direction of Alan Fernie will be looking to break their third section jinx as they have only managed middle of the road placings in the last few years. The band has a great depth of experience and in solo euphonium, Willie Dalgity, a player of fine ability. The band will be suited to the inner movements of Northern landscapes but will have to put down a real performance to break into the prizes. Two third places though have been their best so far since 1996 so they are overdue a better placing.

North Ayrshire
Conductor: H. Brennan

Last Year: DNC
Last Seven Years:
2002: DNC
2001: 5th
2000: 2nd 4th Section (prom)
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: 9th (rel)
1996: 11th

The hugely experienced Hugh Brennan, who was key to the success of the North Ayrshire schools band, takes his youthful charge to Falkirk hopeful of recording a good performance after the disappointment of last year’s withdrawal. Will be hard pressed to make the prizes but a top 6 finish could well be on the cards. The band came runners up in the 4th Section in 2000 and went on to come 9th at the Finals in Harrogate. After a year away then they will be keen to make a big impression.

Perthshire Brass
Conductor: G. Annan

Last Year: 8th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 8th
2001: 8th
2000: 10th 2nd Section (rel)
1999: 8th 2nd Section
1998: 8th 2nd Section
1997: 4th
1996: 10th 2nd Section (rel)

Another band who may struggle to feature after their 8th last year, the band do, however, play with confidence and style and in George Annan they have a good front man who will undoubtedly give the music room to express itself. George himself directed a winning performance here in 1993 with the band so ten years on they will be looking for a repeat showing.

St. David’s Brass
Conductor: J. Dickson

Last Year: 3rd
Last Seven Years:
2002: 3rd
2001: 4th
2000: 9th
1999: 7th
1998: Winners 4th Section
1997: 7th 4th Section
1996: 11th 4th Section

An excellent mix of youth and experience in this band from Dalkeith, led by one of the finest band trainers around in John Dickson. The band play with a wonderfully mature sound and in Johns sons, Stuart (cornet) and Michael (euphonium), they have soloists that would grace most top section outfits. The band were 3rd here last year and won the 4th Section in 1998 when they went on to come 6th at the National Finals. We think they will up there again this year and should have enough about them to claim one of the two qualifying tickets for Dundee.

St. Ronan’s Silver
Conductor: D. Mcleod

Last Year: 4th
Last Seven Years:
2002: 4th
2001: 9th
2000: 4th
1999: Winners 4th Section
1998: 5th 4th Section
1997: 4th 4th Section
1996: 7th 4th Section

A band that has come a long way in a short space of time with a forward thinking infrastructure that craves success. A change in leadership means that ex CWS flugel player David McLeod comes in to conduct in place of Chris Bradley. In Warren Lindsay they have a young cornet player of real quality.
The band won the 4th Section here in 1999 and went on to come 5th at the Finals whilst they have come 4th in two of the past three years. We think that is a sign that they could do well and a podium place may well be on the cards.

Winning Bands:


2002: Shotts St. Patrick’s Brass
2001: Clydebank Burgh
2000: Livingston Brass
1999: Turriff Silver
1998: Renfrew Burgh
1997: Kepston Q Fab Whitburn Brass
1996: Kilmarnock Concert
1995: Barrhead and District
1994: Croy Parish
1993: Perthshire Brass
1992: Shott’s St. Patrick’s
1991: Kelty and Blairadam

Winning Conductors:


2002: S. Kerwin
2001: D. Laughland
2000: A. Samson
1999: M. Ross
1998: A. Pacher
1997: C. Bradley
1996: A. Keachie
1995: E. Drysdale
1994: J. Anderson
1993: G. Annan
1992: M. Marzella
1991: A. Fernie


Test Pieces:


2002: St. Austell Suite – K. Downie
2001: Sinfonietta – J. Horovitz
2000: Narnia Suite – G. Burgon
1999: Main Street – E. Ball
1998: Three Saints’ – G. Richards
1997: Tintagel – D. Wright
1996: Divertimento – B. Kelly
1995: A Snowden Fantasy – T.J. Powell
1994: Chorale and Toccata – S. Bulla
1993: The Shipbuilders – P. Yorke
1992: Suite for Brass – M. Arnold

Adjudicators:

2002: Alan Morrison
2001: Ian Craddock
2000: Alan Morrison
1999: Colin McKenzie
1998: John Maines
1997: Nigel Boddice
1996: Major Peter Parkes
1995: Major Peter Parkes

Past Qualifiers:

2002: Shotts St. Patrick’s Brass, Arbroath Instrumental
2001: Clydebank Burgh, Tullis Russell Mills
2000: Livingston Brass, Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass
1999: Turriff Silver, City of Discovery Brass
1998: Renfrew Burgh, Irvine and Dreghorn
1997: Kepston Q Fab Whitburn Brass, Annan Town
1996: Kilmarnock Concert Brass, Campbeltown Brass
1995: Barrhead and District, Newland Concert

Scottish bands at the Finals:

2002: 12th, 14th
2001: 12th, 15th
2000: 1st, 2nd
1999: 5th, 14th
1998: 3rd, 17th

Last Years Result:

1. Shott’s St. Patrick’s Brass – S. Kerwin 189pts
2. Arbroath Instrumental – M. Robertson 188pts
3. St. David’s Brass – J. Dickson 186pts
4. St. Ronan’s Silver – C. Bradley 185pts
5. MacTaggart Scott Silver – A. Fernie 182pts
6. Buckhaven and Methill – A. Fernie 181pts
7. Dunfermline Town – S. Duncan 180pts
8. Perthshire Brass – G. Annan 179pts
9. Dundee Instrumental – J. Tonner 178pts
10. Campbetown Brass – G. Evans 177pts

4BR Prediction:

As you can tell from the write ups in this section we have had a bit of “insider information” from our mole in the Glens, so we think we may be pretty accurate with our predictions this time (about time we hear you shout!).

It’s Lochgelly for us then and they are a band who have impressed us when we have heard them on a contest stage, whilst with the Welsh up in the country in force for the rugby we think St. David’s will fly the flag for the Dragon and further enhance their reputation. St. Ronan’s seem like a band on the up whilst we think there is plenty of quality in Jedforrest, Buckhaven and Methil and Dunfermline to make up the rest of the top 6. Our dark horses are North Ayrshire. You heard it here first!

1. Lochgelly
2. St Davids Brass
3. St Ronans Silver
4. Jedforrest Instrumental
5. Buckhaven Methil Brass
6. Dunfermline Town

Dark Horse: North Ayrshire

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