A highly enjoyable Scottish Youth Championship came to a thrilling climax on Sunday evening with West Lothian Schools Band conducted by Nigel Boddice MBE taking the Premier Section title following a titanic battle of the very best youth bands anywhere in the UK.

Gold

Three Gold Certificate performances from the eventual winners, defending champion Carnoustie & District Youth and Aberdeen City Youth, provided a packed Perth Concert Hall and adjudicators Ian Porthouse and Philip Sparke with outstanding musical entertainment – later described by the judges as ‘absolutely stunning’.

High class Premiership

The win gave West Lothian the domestic bragging rights north of the border for the first time since 2008, as their well structured 20 minute programme, which included high class solo contributions and slick ensemble work beat off the challenge of their rivals by the narrowest of margins.

The recently crowned BBC Youth Brass of the Year couldn’t’ quite make it a hat trick of titles under the direction of Michael Roberston, despite their bold mix of demanding repertoire, whilst there was further evidence of the emergence of a third ‘Premier force’ in Aberdeen, who delivered a very polished account of themselves under the direction of Richard Kidd.

With two emerging bands in Dalmellington and Moray Concert, the overall standard of the contest was very high, but it was the young players of West Lothian who celebrated on stage with their individual medals hung around their necks, as they reclaimed the title they now won five times since 2005.

Senior Section

In the Senior Section for players up to the age 18, victory was claimed once again by reigning champion Scottish Borders Youth Band directed by Alan Fernie, who narrowly pipped fellow Gold Certificate winners Perthshire Youth conducted by Jason Blyth.

Adjudicators David Childs and Ian Porthouse told 4BR that they were impressed by both bands. "This was real quality playing," Ian said. "To hear young players inspired by their conductors and playing music they obviously enjoy was thrilling."

Development Secton:

Earlier on the Saturday, eight bands took to the stage for the Development Section for ensembles with players up to the age of 16.

Adjudicators David Childs and Ian Porthouse were also very impressed by the overall standard on show, with the amazing Campbeltown Junior Band once again showing that there is an almost inexhaustible seam of young playing talent being unearthed in the remote West coast town – some six hours drive from Perth.

MD Jamie McVicar, told 4BR that being crowned champion after claiming the Novice Section title in 2010, made the long trips to the contest well worthwhile.

"We didn’t get the chance to celebrate last year because we had to get back after we had played in time for school the next day, so we can take our time and celebrate all night this time around." he said.

"We get wonderful support from the people of Campbeltown, so return once more with a winner’s trophy makes us all very proud."

There was a fine Gold Certificate performance from Arbroath Instrumental directed by Ann Ness in second place, with Loanhead Youth also claiming the highest level of award.

Novice Section

There was also a very high standard of performances on display in the Novice Section, where Lynda Nicholson led Kirkintilloch Youth to their first youth title with a resounding Gold Certificate performance.

Since coming to Scotland Lynda has inspired her young charges, and as she told 4BR, her band had worked their socks off to claim the title.

"The set up at Kirkintilloch is now bearing fruit. All the hard work the players put in, together with the support of the parents has resulted in this win."

There were a number of highly encouraging performances for adjudicators Robert Childs and Philip Sparke to enjoy, with Hawick Saxhorn Youth claiming the runner up spot and gold certificate under the baton of Rob Hulme.

Preparatory Section:

The Scottish Brass Band Association’s decision to revamp the Youth event this year proved to be a unqualified success, as shown in the numbers, as well as the standard of playing on show in the grass roots Preparatory Section.

No less than 95 young players, all under the age of 12, took to the stage with eventual winners Perth & Kinross conducted by Elaine Stewart, whilst there gold certificate performances from runner up, Loanhead Brass Roots conducted by Alan Fernie, St David’s Youth and Whitburn Youth amongst the 11 competitors.

there was further good news with the first appearance of ‘The Big Noise Brass Band’, which hails from one of the most socially deprived inner city areas of the country, and which is inspired by the world famous Venezuelan ‘El Sistema’ project4BR

El Sistema

With representatives from the Scottish government’s arts body Creative Scotland on hand to see just how successful the event has now become, there was further good news for the future with the first appearance of ‘The Big Noise Brass Band’, which hails from one of the most socially deprived inner city areas of the country, and which is inspired by the world famous Venezuelan ‘El Sistema’ project.

4BR will be bringing a full retrospective of the Youth Championships plus extensive video coverage of the event in the next few days.

Results:

Premier Section:
Adjudicator: Ian Porthouse & Philip Sparke

1. West Lothian Schools, (Nigel Boddice MBE) (Gold)
2. Carnoustie & District Youth, (Michael Robertson) (Gold)

Aberdeen City Youth, (Richard Kidd) (Gold)
Dalmellington Junior, (Ian Taylor) (Bronze)
Moray Concert Brass, (Glenn Munro) (Bronze)

Senior Section:
Adjudicators: David Childs & Ian Porthouse

1. Scottish Borders Youth Band (Alan Fernie) (Gold)
2. Perthshire Youth (Jason Blyth) (Gold)

Development Section:
Adjudicators: David Childs & Ian Porthouse

1. Campbeltown Juniors, (Jamie McVicar) (Gold)
2. Arbroath Instrumental Youth, (Ann Ness) (Gold)

Loanhead Youth, (Alan Fernie) (Gold)
Kinneil Youth Band, (Scott Gardner) (Silver)
Peebles Junior Band, (Daniel Williamson) (Silver)
Perth & Kinross Senior School, (Robert McDonald) (Silver)
Kings Park Youth Brass, (Alan Pratt) (Bronze)
St Margarets Brass Livingston, (Mary Downs) (Bronze)

Novice Section:
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs & Philip Sparke

1. Kirkintilloch Youth, (Lynda Nicholson) (Gold)
2. Hawick Saxhorn Youth, (Rob Hume) (Gold)

Kingdom Youth, (Silver)
Levern Valley Youth, (Brian Deans) (Silver)
Newtongrange Junior, (Alan Fernie) (Silver)
South Ayrshire Youth, (Scott Walker) (Silver)
Dunfermline Youth, (Danny Harrison) (Bronze)
Irvine & Dreghorn, (John Boax) (Bronze)
St. John’s Secondary School, (Gordon Evans MBE) (Bronze)

Preparatory Section:
Adjudicators: Professor John Wallace & David Childs

1. Perth & Kinross Junior School, (Elaine Stewart) (Gold)
2. Loanhead Brass Roots, (Alan Fernie) (Gold)

Abbey Brass, (Rob Hume) (Gold)
St. David’s Youth, (John Dickson) (Gold)
Whitburn Youth, (Caroline Farren) (Gold)
Coalburn Bronze, (Jayne Brownlie) (Silver)
Galashiels Youth, (Stuart Black) (Silver)
Kingdom Youth, (Kenneth Blackwood) (Silver)
Newland Junior, (Mark Good) (Bronze)
Tullis Russell Youth, (Alan Douglas) (Bronze)
The Big Noise Brass Band, (John Paul O’Hagan) (Bronze)