Co-operative Funeralcare reinforced its position as Scotland’s premier contesting ensemble by retaining the West Lothian Entertainment title on Sunday evening under the baton of Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

Double

After their fine showing at the European Championships in Rotterdam, the Scottish champion made it a domestic ‘double’ by claiming the honours at the Howden Park Centre in Livingston to pick up the £500 first prize ahead of rivals Kingdom Brass with Exchange Communications Whitburn in third.

Co-op’s sparkling 25 minute programme started with the latest PLC opener, ‘When Thunder Calls’, which segued into Alan Fernie’s Olympic inspired ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ and trombone soloist Paul Kiernan’s languid rendition of ‘I’ve Only Just Begun’, which won him the ‘Best Soloist’ Prize.

Qualities

Each of the six competitors had to include a work in tribute to the late Dr Roy Newsome, and the band showed their lyrical qualities with his lovely arrangement of ‘Deep Harmony’, before rounding off with a fizzing rendition of Peter Graham’s ‘Renaissance’.

It was certainly a programme that impressed adjudicators Alan Fernie and Ray Farr, describing it as ‘outstanding’ in their remarks.

The duo was particularly impressed by the way Co-op was able to successfully fuse the inventive choreography of their opening to contrast with the later lyrical treatment of ‘Deep Harmony’, whilst still retaining stamina and precision for the rousing finale.

Successful season

Band Manager Martin Stack told 4BR that came as a result of hard work and a desire to build on what is fast becoming a highly successful 2012 season.

"We put a lot of hard graft into this under Paul’s excellent direction. We are continuing to build with confidence on a work ethic which started before our success at the Scottish Championships and the Europeans, and which we will now take with us to the Land O’ Burns contest and then to the British Open."

He added: "I think we showed that by the way in which we approached this contest, with excellent stage presentation backed up with high quality playing. We are certainly looking forward to the rest of the year."

PLC

That will see the band once more team up with Paul Lovatt –Cooper as he will lead them at the National Finals in London and Brass in Concert in Gateshead – appearances the MD is certainly looking forward to himself.

"I’m enjoying working with the band and I’m sure we can make a real mark at the Albert Hall and The Sage if we can build together on the quality shown on the weekend.

I was especially pleased with the way they want to try something inventive such as the choreography on ‘When Thunder Calls’, and for Paul Kiernan who was stunning in winning the ‘Best Soloist’ prize."

Paul revealed that the ‘veteran’ as he cheekily called him, had celebrated his 50th birthday last week. "What a player he is," Paul added. "He’s playing better than ever."

We are continuing to build with confidence on a work ethic which started before our success at the Scottish Championships and the Europeans, and which we will now take with us to the Land O’ Burns Contest and then to the British OpenMartin Stack

Repeat result

In what was a repeat of the 2011 result, Kingdom Brass conducted by Bede Williams reinforced their position as a heavyweight contender for major domestic honours by delivering a slick mix of polished playing and eye catching presentation to end just a point back in second place.

They opened in dramatic fashion with exciting lighting and sound effects heralding Matt Hall’s high paced ‘Activate’, before ‘A Caledonian Suite’ arranged by Andrew Duncan saw their percussion team take the ‘Best Section’ Award.

Fizz

There was plenty of bubbly fizz on show with ‘Coconut Champagne’ and Roy Newsome’s arrangement of ‘Belford’s Carnival March’, before a small ensemble accompanied vocalist Lorna Masson’s haunting rendition of Andrew Duncan’s arrangement of ‘When She Loved Me’ from the film ‘Toy Story 2’, to claim the ‘Best New Arrangement/Composition’ prize.

The band rounded off the day’s ‘Most Entertaining’ award winning programme with Ray Farr’s arrangement of ‘The Firebird’ complete with further visual effects.

Reputation

Spokesperson John Todd told 4BR: "Our congratulations go to Co-operative Funeralcare, but we are very happy that we continue to build as top class band and that our reputation for providing innovative programming continues to grow. We can now build on this performance as we look to defend our Land O’ Burns title in a few weeks time."

Disappointment

There was disappointment for former winners Exchange Communication Whitburn conducted by Annie Crookston, as they could only manage third place.

Despite a superb opening feature in homage to Dr Roy Newsome, with the conductor’s inventive collage of some of his most famous compositions, to take the ‘Best Roy Newsome Arrangement’ Award, they failed to impress further with a set that featured ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Libertango’, the flugel solo ‘Old Cape Cod’, ‘Latin for Brass’ and ‘Toccata in D Minor’.

Quality playing

There was plenty of good quality playing on show from the competing bands that provided the audience with over six hours of entertainment on the day.

Lochgelly conducted by Allan Ramsay, continued its good run of recent form to end just two points behind Whitburn in fourth. Meanwhile, Kirkintilloch’s rebuilding programme showed signs of further development in an encouraging performance to end fifth, beating a solid showing from Bo’ness & Carriden in sixth.

Event success

This was the first year the event had been held on a single day and SBBA was delighted with the positive feedback from the audience in particular.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "One audience member told us that it had been such a wonderful experience, and a real treat to see and hear such a mass of talent all under one roof!”

SBBA Development Manager Andrew Duncan added: "This has been a spectacular show from six very talented bands. The imagination, variety of music, and quality of the performances has made it a leading event. The SBBA team who have organised the festival deserve huge credit for their hard work – it's been an undoubted success!"

2013

Andy revealed that plans are now underway for next year’s festival. "It's hoped to adopt this same format again which has proved to be such a success. In the meantime, SBBA offers its congratulations to all the performers and especially to the prize winning bands who have come together to create a memorable 2012 West Lothian Festival of Brass."

Full Result:

Adjudicators: Alan Fernie & Ray Farr
(Music + Entertainment)

1. Co-operative Funeralcare (Paul Lovatt-Cooper): 92 + 40 = 132
2. Kingdom Brass (Bede Williams): 90 + 41 = 131
3. Exchange Communications Whitburn (Annie Crookston): 88 + 39 = 127
4. Lochgelly (Allan Ramsay): 86 + 39 = 125
5. Kirkintilloch (Eoin Tonner): 84 + 38 = 122
6. Bo’ness & Carriden (Paul Drury): 82 + 37 = 119

Awards:
Best Soloist: Paul Kiernan (Trombone) — Co-operative Funeralcare Band
Best Section Feature: Percussion Section — Kingdom Brass
Best New Arrangement / Composition: Kingdom Brass — When She Loved Me (arr. Andrew Duncan)
Most Entertaining Performance: Kingdom Brass
Best Roy Newsome arrangement or composition: Exchange Communications Whitburn