The second half of the 2012 contesting season kicks off north of the border in Troon on Saturday, with a tasty field of 16 bands taking part in the Land O’ Burns Entertainment Contest at the town’s refurbished Concert Hall.
Hefty winners
With a prize fund of over £6,000 and the winner’s bagging a hefty £3,000, the contest has attracted competitors from both sides of Hadrian’s Wall, all hoping to tickle the fancy of the man in the box, Richard Evans.
There are plenty of individual and solo awards up for grabs, as well as £1,200 for the runner up and further prizes of £600 and £450 for the bands ending third and fourth. There is a standalone entertainment prize of £250 and further prizes of £350 and £300 for the highest placed First and Second Section bands.
Kick off
It all kicks off on the stroke of 9.45am with each band delivering 20 minutes of music making.
A confident reigning champion Kingdom Brass will be looking to defend their crown under the baton of New Zealander Bede Williams against a strong field of rivals, including British Open challengers Co-operative Funeralcare.
Open challenge
They will certainly be looking to boost their Birmingham travel expenses fund led by the experienced Allan Ramsay, whilst former winners Exchange Communications Whitburn under Anne Crookston will look to recapture the title they last won in 2009.
2010 champion Johnstone is back after the disappointment suffered in defence of their title last year, whilst the Cheltenham bound duo of Clackmannan & District and Coalburn Silver will look to take a few scalps before they head for the National Finals next month.
The contest itself has undergone changes to make it even more attractive for competing bandsBert Ritchie
English challenge
The English challenge is spearheaded by Championship Section Fishburn from the North of England, whilst domestic rivals include Arbroath Instrumental, Campbeltown, Dunaskin Doon, Irvine & Dreghorn, Kilmarnock Concert Brass, Newmilns & Galston, Newtongrange, Shott’s St Patrick’s and Tullis Russell Mills.
Contest organiser Bert Ritchie told 4BR: "We have a wonderful weekend of music making to look forward to – starting on Friday with the excellent workshop and masterclasses led by Hedley Benson which aim to provide top class tuition for school and university students."
Attractive
He added: "The contest itself has undergone changes to make it even more attractive for competing bands, thanks to the support of South Ayrshire Council, whilst I am sure the audience will enjoy the entertainment provided by the 16 competitors."
