Whitburn Band has qualified for the final of the West Lothian Challenge after a resounding victory at Livingston’s Howden Park Centre at the weekend.

Whitburn, under the baton of Russell Gray, beat Newtongrange by seven points in the event’s second semi-final.

Highlights

Adjudicator Philip Harper said he enjoyed the performances of all the bands, stating that Whitburn and Russell Gray’s choice of programme was one of his many highlights.

Adjudicator Philip Harper said he enjoyed the performances of all the bands, stating that Whitburn and Russell Gray’s choice of programme was one of his many highlights4BR

Rousing

Whitburn started its performance with the 'Scherzo' from Shostakovich’s 'Tenth Symphony', before a rousing rendition of James Ord Hume’s march, 'The Elephant'.

The band then continued with 'Black Bottom Stomp' from the pen of the self-proclaimed “inventor of jazz”, Jelly Roll Morton.

Launch

Andy Robson (euphonium) was the band’s featured soloist and he gave a lovely reading of the 'Rev Archie Beaton'. Stephen Sondheim’s 'Anyone Can Whistle' was a lighter number in the West Lothian band’s programme before it launched into the finale from Gilbert Vinter’s 'Symphony of Marches'.

The band concluded with Peter Meechan’s arrangement of the Queen hit, 'Innuendo'.

Whitburn will now go head-to-head with Kirkintilloch in the West Lothian Challenge Final on June 28th.

Result:
1. Whitburn (Russell Gray) — 194
2. Newtongrange (Alan Fernie) — 187
3. Clackmannan (Paul Kiernan) — 185

Most Entertaining Band: Whitburn