We've reached the end of a very enjoyable weekend in chilly Perth, where the music has warmed the hearts. It's been refreshing to hear to such a variety of works across the two days, even if they tested the bands at times in their ambition.
The smiles on the faces of those performing again has been wonderful. It's also been great to hear the distinguished voice of Alasdair Hutton OBE TD OStJ who acted as MC for the weekend in such an informative manner.
Thanks to Besson and Band Supplies for their continued support and congratulations to Whitburn on their seventh successive Scottish Open title and to Kingdom Brass who added the Scottish Challenge Shield to their National title to round off a year they won't forget.
Our thanks go to SBBA led by Carrie Boax and her team of volunteers. Covid is still very much with us, but the way everything was delivered this weekend, in conjunction with the hall staff has been superb.
The usual award ceremony pictures and news reports will appear in due course.
Safe trip home for everybody.
Sunday 28, 15:42:23
Results:
Adjudicators: Paul Holland & Steven Mead Test Piece: Own choice
Best Horn Section: Kingdom Brass 4BR Best Soloist: Grant Charleston (euphonium) — Kingdom Brass
2021 Champion: Kingdom Brass
Runner-up: Bathgate
3rd place: Coalburn Silver
4th place: Johnstone Band
Best Soloist: Grant Charleston of Kingdom Brass
Best Horn Section: Kingdom Brass
Best Second Section Band: Loghgelly
Best Third Section Band: Dysart Colliery
Best Fourth Section Band: Kilmarnock Concert Brass
Thanks to James Doyle for the presentation images
Sunday 28, 14:41:34
4BR Editor's round up and prediction:
A really engaging and enjoyable contest this — thanks to the well chosen works by the bands. Plenty of ambition, but all tempered with musical intellect by the MDs to know the strengths and weaknesses of the bands they conducted.
Super variety too — from classics of banding history to some modern classics of the not too distant past and a tasty curiosity or two.
Bravo to everyone involved — a super day of competitive music making that.
We think it will be Kingdom triumphant today thanks to their well judged Metropolis show, but they could be hard pushed by the polish and crafty choice of Coalburn, the quality of Bathgate and the wild ambition of Regent (if there was a prize for best test piece choice, their 'Riffs & Interludes' would win by a mile).
Loghgelly and Granite may fill up the remaining top-six places with a dark horse of the vibrant Dysart.
The last band of what has been an engaging contest today is First Section Johnstone conducted by Mark Good, with a well observed choice of James Curnow's 'Trittico'.
It's a work that has weathered well with age — due to the quality of the composer's craftsmanship in developing his thematic material. The final section remains one of the most thrilling and expertly construed of its kind in modern banding repertoire — spawning numerous copiers.
It's played with consideration too — inspired by the tempered lead from the middle which kept a lid on excess in dynamic and pace. There were obvious moments of singular and collective unease, but the overall picture created was solid and competent, if just in need of a spice or two of raw excitement. The close built well on the seemingly jumbled elements to a rousing climax.
Sunday 28, 14:06:47
Band Supplies Scottish Challenge:
Unfortunately we have had two withdrawals today due to Covid 19 issues, so as the contest was pre-drawn to help the bands there has been a bit of a break.
Much to enjoy though from both Kingdom Brass and Perthshire Brass with their choices — especially as they were played with a rich, bold confidence from the word go.
The National First Section Champion opted for the ambitious choice of Peter Graham's 'Metropolis 1927' under the baton of Paul Drury.
There was a bold sense of style and character to the music that despite only having the most tenuous gossamer link to Fritz Lang's Marxist metaphorical critique of the interwar Weimer German Republic, still has plenty of cinematic scope. Kingdom displayed great effects, lyrical sugar coating and clever smoke and mirrors — although there was no actual female Maschinenmensch transformation.
Classy soloists and fab perc give things that blingy polish, but there is also a great deal of substance too in the ensemble (especially in the more lyrical interludes) and the approach of the MD is laced with musical intellect.
Neatly done with the camouflage work and very well done to highlight the obvious qualities when required. A clever bit of musical thinking and execution.
So too with Perthshire under George D Annan with 'The Mermaid of Zennor' — played with a swashbuckling sense of adventure and clear narrative lines around the band to tell the fishy tale.
A brilliant bass trom was a feature but all the soloists played so well on what was a well chosen work to showcase the band's strengths (five cracking perc players too). Super direction from the middle brought the music to life. Really well played that.
Sunday 28, 13:02:43
Band Supplies Scottish Challenge:
More contrasting music making to follow each side of the short 15 minute break between bands.
First up we have a cracking account of the evocative 'The Saga of Haakon the Good' played by Coalburn Silver Band conducted by Gareth Bowman, followed by an equally atmospheric performance of 'The Dark Side of the Moon' played by Kilmarnock Concert Brass led by Scott Walker.
Two good choices too — with Coalburn summoning the spirits of Valhalla it seems for their exciting, colourful and hugely characterised account of Philip Sparke's Vikingfest. It really was as if Kirk Douglas and his marauding band of beserkers were rowing up the River Tay.
Super ensemble playing backed by uber-confident soloists, underpinned by the low brass in warlord mode and the top end jumping ashore in their bid to claim gold and title glory. They may not be that far away today after that.
Super effort from Kilimarnock too, with the MD pacing the music nicely to allow the drama and pulsating verve to seep through. Bravo to the bass end for their efforts — big, dark, rich and plumby in tone and rock solid in delivery. Some lovely touches from the soloists and the MD kept something in reserve to build to a super finish too.
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Sunday 28, 12:07:05
Band Supplies Scottish Challenge:
Two classics of the brass band repertoire follow on here this morning to add to the entertainment.
The first comes courtesy of Herbert Howells and his remarkable 'Pageantry'. It still draws you deep into its core to find new little nuggets and gems over 90 years after it was written.
The second comes from the pen of Eric Ball and his masterful 'Journey into Freedom', whose inspiration to battle against the evils of shallow consumerism and fleeting social media fame are more relevant today than ever before.
Both may be historic — but like fine whisky in these parts they get better with age.
Bathgate provides a solid, very well directed account under Craig Anderson — with an informed interpretation that didn't try to give the score added, necessary bling. As a result it still retained a fresh integrity with the two outer movements in particular well played.
The cortege just bared its teeth, but it was very musically shaped. Bravo to the main soloists and the sweet sop in particular.
There was also a refined appreciation of the Ball score by Paul McKelvie and Lochgelly, despite a few moments when the weave of the ensemble came loose.
Shaped with consideration and dynamic nuance it had a warm tonal balance that allowed the lyrical quality of the music to shine through. Just those few moments of unease, but a good choice well delivered.
Sunday 28, 11:30:41
Band Supplies Scottish Challenge:
We follow on with another two well chosen Philip Sparke works by Granite City Brass conducted by Bruce Wallace and Dysart Colliery Silver led by Kenneth Letham.
The Aberdonians head to New Zealand for his evocative 'Land of the Long White Cloud' — a piece that has reached its middle age in wonderful condition and is played with a sprightly step of pulsating vigour. Some moments when the structure got a little threadbare in places, but the two tubas provided such a solid foundation and each of the main solo lines with excellent — aided by the well chosen tempi by the MD.
It's followed by a whizz bang 'Music for a Festival' from Dysart that hit you right between the eyes from the word go and never let go.
What a great approach from the MD that was bought into by the players — from sop to perc all playing their part. The music had such vibrancy and colour, occasionally frenetic but always exciting and full of life. So much to enjoy in that — those extra espresso coffees this morning must have pepped the adrenaline levels up.
Sunday 28, 10:44:37
Band Supplies Scottish Challenge:
Well what a great way to start Sunday morning with two of the most contrasting pieces you are ever likely to hear at an own-choice brass band contest at this level.
We kicked off with Broxburn & Livingston led by Alistair Gibson with 'Sword, Jewel and Mirror' by Philip Harper, which was followed by Regent Brass conducted by Alan Duguid who played 'Refrains and Cadenzas' by Thomas Wilson.
It was a real treat to hear both bands pick pieces that don't get an outing very often — with Harper's homage to the Imperial accoutrements of Japanese royalty a colourful, characterised work of clever inflections and musical imagery. It's very open, transparent musical language is easy to understand and appreciate and was very well presented and interpreted by the MD and the Broxburn players.
A clever choice well played.
It was followed by the austere sparseness of Wilson's wonderfully opaque score. What a brave choice for this contest — and congratulations to the MD (in full kilt regalia) and the band for bringing it back to the stage. Originally commissioned way back in 1973, its musical language is very much of that time — Birtwistle, Patterson etc, but still so refreshing to hear.
Well played too — especially cornets and euph and the perc team who added carefully calibrated colour and texture.
The audience were left perhaps a bit perplexed at its conclusion, but I have to say I loved it. Bravo!!
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Sunday 28, 10:02:31
The great voice of Alasdair Hutton introduces the bands here
April 23 • MERESIDE BRASS (Rudheath,Northwich) are looking for a FRONT ROW CORNET & a 2nd EUPH to complete our line up. We are a friendly 4th Section band with a sensible calendar of jobs and band social events and enjoy occasional contests. Come and give us a try!
April 23 • Applications are invited for a Euphonium player to join our Rugby based band. Bilton Silver (Rugby) band are currently contesting in the Championship section and has a varied programme of events spread throughout the year.
April 23 • We are looking to strengthen our team ready for 2025 and require Bass (Bb or Eb), Bass trombone, Soprano and percussion players. We are a very friendly, progressive 2nd section band who will start next year at the top of their regional rankings table.
