The inaugural Whitburn Brass Festival has been hailed a success after it attracted a great line up of playing talent as well as virtuoso tuba star Les Neish.

Masterclass

Whitburn Youth Band hosted the event in the town’s Brucefield Church and the festival began with a masterclass from Les with students from both Whitburn and Newland’s Concert Youth Bands in attendance. The evening Gala Concert also featured Les as the guest soloist with both the youth and senior Whitburn bands.

Under the direction of MD Caroline Farren, the rising youth stars played items such as ‘The Muppet Show’ and ‘Pastime with Good Company’ as well as featuring tenor horn player Jenny Elwis, 11, who gave an outstanding solo performance. Jenny was later presented with the ‘Bandsperson of the Year’ award.

Wow

The second half of the concert was provided by the senior Whitburn Band under Anne Crookston, who included ‘Olympic Spirit’, ‘Selections from Titanic’ and ‘Dundonell’ from ‘Hymn of the Highlands’, which were all well received by an appreciative audience. Les meanwhile wowed with ‘Song for the Skies’, ‘Swing Low’ and ‘Hora Staccato’.

To bring the concert to a rousing conclusion, both bands joined forces and presented ‘Mission Impossible’ with 11- year-old Ryan Bradley excelling on drums.

Slow Melody Competition

The following morning the Whitburn Youth Band hosted a slow melody competition with Les as adjudicator. As always, he gave wise words of encouragement before and after the competition and managed to settle most of the nerves of the anxious youngsters taking part.

The Junior Section (under 12s) was won by cornet player Arran McMahon delivering a polished performance of ‘Share my Yoke’, whilst euphonium star Leighton Griffin from St David’s High, Dalkeith gained victory in the Intermediate Section (under 16s) with his sterling rendition of ‘Londonderry Air’.

Highlights

Lisa Callaghan of Loanhead Brass Youth won the Senior Section (under 18), displaying a beautiful tone on the flugel, whilst the Percussion Section was won by Whitburn Youth’s Aimee Watson.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "With the support of SBBA and Besson, we hope the Whitburn Brass Festival will take place again next year and grow into one of the highlights of the Scottish brass band calendar."

With the support of SBBA and Besson, we hope the Whitburn Brass Festival will take place again next year and grow into one of the highlights of the Scottish brass band calendarWhitburn Band

Results:

Junior Section:
1. Arran McMahon (Whitburn Youth), Gold

Jenny Elwis (Whitburn Youth), Silver
Rachel Harris(Whitburn Youth), Silver
Aidan Shade (Whitburn Youth), Silver
Owen Shade (Whitburn Youth), Silver

Finlay Cook (Whitburn Youth), Bronze
Robyn Mitchell (Whitburn Youth), Bronze

Intermediate Section:
1. Leighton Griffin (St Davids High), Gold, 1

Cameron McMahon (Whitburn Youth), Silver
Mark Elwis (Whitburn Youth), Silver
John Walker (Whitburn Youth), Silver

Senior Section:
1. Lisa Callaghan (Loanhead Brass Youth), Silver

Percussion Section:
1. Aimee Watson (Whitburn Youth), Gold