Unison Kinneil conducted by Craig Anderson claimed the Fife Charities BBA contest crown which took place at the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy on the weekend.
Strong field
Up against a strong field of domestic rivals, the First Section band secured the magnificent winner’s trophy as well as the award for the ‘Best Bass’ Section, as they beat off the challenge of pre-contest favourites and defending Kingdom Brass in what was a highly entertaining contesting day. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass was third.
Kinneil’s robust performance of ‘Dances & Arias’ drew rich praise from adjudicator Paul Andrews as they secured their first top section win since 2004 in what was their competitive debut under their new MD.
Breath of fresh air
A band spokesman told 4BR that the result confirms a remarkable return to form after they could only manage 9th place in the First Section of the Scottish Championships earlier this year: “We are delighted to secure our first victory under Craig.
He has been a breath of fresh air, working us very hard in rehearsal and has revitalised our appetite for success. It shows how far we have come when we have been able to defeat top section bands of the quality of Kingdom Brass and Kirkintilloch Kelvin to win the title.”
Excellent
Kinneil opened with the Rimmer quick march ‘Ravenswood’, which was followed by the atmospheric hymn ‘In Perfect Peace’ by Kenneth Downie and the excellent rendition of Edward Gregson’s former National Finals test piece.
The band was placed runner-up in the hymn tune discipline and 4th in the march, but most importantly left Kirkcaldy as the new champion, ‘Best First Section Band’ and with the trophy for the winning conductor.
Disappointment
There was disappointment for favourites Kingdom Brass as the defending champion could not make it a hat trick of wins under the direction of Bede Williams.
Their renditions of, ‘The Australasian’, ‘Now Thank We All Our God’ and ‘Music of the Spheres’ saw them win the hymn tune element, but only come runner up in the march and own choice test piece disciplines.
The only consolation for the high flying Fife band was to retain their ‘Best Fife Band’ title, as well as claim individual awards for ‘Best Flugel/horn’, and ‘Best Percussion’.
Winning march
Third placed Kirkintilloch Kelvin opened with, ‘Ravenswood’, under the baton of Charles Keenan, which won the march tune section, before going on to perform, ‘The Day Thou Gavest’ and ‘Un Vie De Matelot’.
Keen battles
There were a number of fine performances to enjoy as the 18 competitors battled for individual and section honours throughout the day.
Tullis Russell Mills secured the ‘Best Second Section Band’ title under Martyn Ramsay, thanks to a well worked rendition of ‘Music for the Common Man’, whilst Renfrew Burgh claimed the ‘Best Third Section’ honours conducted by Mark Good with their solid account of ‘Northern Landscapes’.
Kingdom Brass B, fresh from their appearance at the National Finals at Cheltenham claimed the Fourth Section honours and ‘Best Fife B Band’ thanks to a fine reprise of ‘A British Isles Suite’ under Kenneth Blackwood.
Further individual awards went to the euphonium of Bon Accord and trombone of Johnstone.
It shows how far we have come when we have been able to defeat top section bands of the quality of Kingdom Brass and Kirkintilloch Kelvin to win the titleUnison Kinneil
Full Results:
Adjudicator: Paul Andrews
Own Choice Test Piece:
1. Unison Kinneil (Craig Anderson) — 194
2. Kingdom Brass 'A' (Bede Williams) — 193
3. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan) – 191
4. Bon Accord Silver (Stephen Malcolm) — 190
5. Newmilns & Galston (Alan Cameron) — 189
6. Newtongrange Silver (Paul Collis-Smith) — 188
7. Lochgelly (Allan Ramsay) — 187
8. Johnstone (Paul Kiernan) — 185
9. Tullis Russell Mills (Martyn Ramsay) — 184
10. Irvine & Dreghorn (John Boax) — 183
11. City of Discovery (Bruce Wallace) — 182
12. Broxburn & Livingston (Charlie Farren) — 181
13. Annan Town (Magnox Ltd) (David Shanks) — 180
14. Kingdom Brass 'B' (Kenneth Blackwood) — 179
15. Bon Accord 'B' (Richard Kidd) — 178
16. Tullis Russell Intermediate (Steven Craig) — 177
17. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good) — 176
18. Dysart Colliery (Bruce Fraser) — 175
Winning Conductor: Craig Anderson
Best Fife 'A' Band: Kingdom Brass 'A'
Best Fife 'B' Band: Kingdom Brass 'B'
Best First Section Band: Unison Kinneil
Best Second Section Band: Tullis Russell Mills
Best Third Section Band: Renfrew Burgh
Best Fourth Section Band: Kingdom Brass 'B'
Best Cornet/Soprano: Kirkintilloch Kelvin
Best Horn/Flugel: Kingdom Brass
Best Euphonium/Baritone: Euphonium, Bon Accord
Best Trombone: Johnstone
Best Basses: Unison Kinneil
Best Percussion: Kingdom Brass
Hymn Tune:
1. Kingdom Brass 'A' (Bede Williams) — 196
2. Unison Kinneil (Craig Anderson) — 195
3. Broxburn & Livingston (Charlie Farren) — 194
4. Bon Accord Silver (Stephen Malcolm) — 192
5. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan) — 191
6. Newmilns & Galston (Alan Cameron) — 190
7. Johnstone (Paul Kiernan) — 189
8. Newtongrange Silver (Paul Collis-Smith) — 188
9. City of Discovery (Bruce Wallace) — 187
10. Lochgelly (Allan Ramsay) — 186
11. Irvine & Dreghorn (John Boax) — 185
12. Tullis Russell Mills (Martyn Ramsay) — 184
13. Kingdom Brass 'B' (Kenneth Blackwood) — 183
14. Bon Accord 'B' (Richard Kidd) — 182
15. Tullis Russell Intermediate (Steven Craig) — 181
16. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good) — 180
17. Annan Town (Magnox Ltd) (David Shanks) — 179
18. Dysart Colliery (Bruce Fraser) — 178
March:
1. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan) — 196
2. Kingdom Brass 'A' (Bede Williams) — 195
3. Broxburn & Livingston (Charlie Farren) — 194
4. Unison Kinneil (Craig Anderson) — 193
5. Johnstone (Paul Kiernan) — 190
6. Bon Accord Silver (Stephen Malcolm) — 189
7. Lochgelly (Allan Ramsay) — 188
8. Newmilns & Galston (Alan Cameron) — 187
9. City of Discovery (Bruce Wallace) — 186
10. Newtongrange Silver (Paul Collis-Smith) — 184
11. Tullis Russell Mills (Martyn Ramsay) — 184
12. Annan Town (Magnox Ltd) (David Shanks) — 183
13. Irvine & Dreghorn (John Boax) — 182
14. Kingdom Brass 'B' (Kenneth Blackwood) — 181
15. Bon Accord 'B' (Richard Kidd) — 180
16. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good) — 179
17. Dysart Colliery (Bruce Fraser) — 178
18. Tullis Russell Intermediate (Steven Craig) — 177
