*
banner

Results: 2012 Whitburn Brass Festival

There was a fine turn out of playing talent on show at the inaugural Whitburn event — headed by tuba star Les Neish.

Whitburn
 

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

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Rodney Newton

80th birthday concert celebration for Newton

July 19 • Rodney Newton will enjoy a musical celebration of his birthday this weekend in Cambridge.


jhs instruments

JHS Ltd set to close

July 19 • The leading independent distributor and suppliers of Odyssey instrument brand set to close after 60 years of trading.


FodensLovatt

Lovatt joins Foden's for Regent Hall pre-National concert

July 19 • Trumpet star Mike Lovatt will reconnect with Foden's Band for their pre-National preview concert at Regent Hall.


Rooms for groups

Sold out signs up in Cheltenham

July 19 • Hotel demand from National qualifiers mean sold out signs are posted in Cheltenham.


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Haverhill Silver Band - A Nightingale Sang... (an evening concert)

Saturday 2 August • Foakes Hall, Dunmow CM6 1DG


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


NORTH LAKES BRASS

July 20 • North Lakes Brass are seeking a CONDUCTOR with the drive to take our friendly band into the 2nd section. . We are different from most contesting bands as we rehearse just once a week (Wed), have 2 full band concerts & 4-5 contests per year.


Rushden Town Band

July 18 • Second Trombone vacancy. A friendly Midlands 1st Section Band, Rushden are looking for a Second Trombone player to come and join us. Great repertoire and concerts plus contests twice per year. Every other year, the band goes on tour.


Welwyn Garden City Band

July 18 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an exciting and varied summer season of concerts. Due to an employment relocation, we have an immediate vacancy for a FRONT ROW CORNET player.


Alan Fernie

DRSAM, Dip.NCOS
Arranger, composer, adjudicator, conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd