A contest winning blend of consistency, stamina and a pinch of conducting genius every bit as good as a dram of the local tipple they drink in these parts, saw Co-operative Funeralcare end their excellent 2012 season on a high at Perth Concert Hall by winning their fourth Scottish Open title.

Rewarded

Consistency was certainly rewarded by a trio of runner-up placings from judges Steven Mead, Ray Farr and Tom Brevik, whilst the band’s admirable reserves of stamina were displayed just a week after the exertions of Brass in Concert in what was their eighth contest outing of the year.

Meanwhile, the touch of genius came, according to Band Manager Martin Stack, from the direction of conductor Dr Nicholas Childs, who led Co-op to victory and the £3,000 first prize on their own choice selection of British Open test piece, ‘Electra’.

Contest genius

"We have a brilliant relationship with Nick," he said. "I believe he brings a touch of contesting genius to us as a band, and that was certainly the case in preparing for the weekend. It was as if we were starting afresh again on ‘Electra’."

The MD was equally delighted as he later told 4BR: "All credit should go to the players. I enjoy a great relationship with Co-op and they are a superb band. They gave everything this week for me.

I hope they enjoy the celebrations and a well earned rest now – they deserve it."

Excellence

Co-op’s polished control of the Ellerby work also drew praise from the adjudicators too, although Steven Mead was also keen to point out the excellence of runner up Tetnes Brass from Norway and third placed Yorkshire challengers Marsden Silver.

"I think the result revealed just how highly we all thought of Co-op’s performance," Steven said. "The system meant that there was no consultation, so to win gaining three second place finishes is a credit to their high class account."

He added: "There were differences of opinion about who we individually thought provided the best performance of the contest (Steven opted for Kirkintilloch, whilst Tom Brevik went for Tertnes and Ray Farr, Marsden) but you can get that in a very transparent system such as this. Overall, I don’t think there can be many complaints at the result."

Nordic delight

There were certainly no complaints from second placed Tertnes Brass, as the 2012 Norwegian First Division National Champion provided the judges with an intriguing musical counterpoint to the numerous popular blockbusters on show, with their performance of Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen’s austere ‘Seid’.

It certainly created an impression with the audience in the hall too, as Gary Peterson led a purposeful, technically secure account to claim the £1,500 runner-up prize.

Very pleased

Band spokesperson, soprano player Sveinung Ryland later revealed the band’s delight that their trip across the North Sea had proved so successful. "We are very pleased indeed! It was a real thrill for us, as we had no idea what to expect regarding a result against these great bands."

He added: "We hoped to gain a decent result if we did a good performance, and we were very satisfied by the way we played as our aim was to combine a trip together with a musical challenge.

We chose ‘Seid’ partly because we wanted to play music by a Norwegian composer and partly because we believe it is great music. Many of us played it at the Europeans back in 1996 and again at the Norwegian Nationals in 2001."

He concluded: "All in all it's been a fantastic experience for us and a great weekend in a really nice concert hall in Perth!"

Touch unlucky

There were slightly more mixed feelings for third placed Marsden, whose MD, Glyn Williams just felt they had been a touch unlucky, after gaining a first and third place from Ray Farr and Steven Mead respectively.

"We were delighted at the way we played," Glyn said. "When we came off stage I told the band that they had produced a top three performance at the very least.

That’s what we got, but having seen the breakdown of the results, we were just left a little disappointed that Tom Brevik didn't quite like the performance of ‘A Tale as yet Untold’ as much as either Steven or Ray.

One place higher than 10th from him and we would have won £1,500 rather than £500."

Intelligent EYMS

With the 18 bands providing no less than 17 own choice selections, it was rather disappointing that the hall was so sparsely populated with listeners throughout the day.

That meant that many missed one of the most intelligent offerings from EYMS, who delivered a fine rendition of Philip Wilby’s subtle ‘A Lowry Sketchbook’ amid the thumping blockbusters to claim fourth place under Alan Morrison.

As he was tucking into a late night pizza at the local bistro opposite the hall he revealed that it was a very specific choice for the contest: "It’s a great piece that really does show off all a band’s strengths and weaknesses – but in a different way to the very modern test pieces.

I thought it would offer real contrast to the judges, and I felt the band certainly did that today."

Best soloist

Fifth place went to a delighted Kirkintilloch under Philip McCann, who produced a colourful account of ‘Breath of Souls’ under Philip McCann – making a real impression on Steven Mead by being placed first, coupled with 6th & 8th from the other judges.

The band’s principal euphonium Scott Findlater took the 4Barsrest, ‘Best Soloist’ Award for his excellent personal contribution.

He later told 4BR: "It’s a great result as we have been rebuilding in the past year. It’s satisfying to win a solo prize of course, but even better that it came in a performance that showed that we are moving in the right direction."

66.6%

There was a keen battle for top six honours on the day, with Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel claiming the final place with a performance that certainly found favour with at least 66.6% of the judges.

Their performance of ‘A Tale a yet Untold’ saw Ray Farr and Tom Brevik placing them 3rd overall although Steven Mead thought it worthy of a lowly 15th.

Casting vote

Ray Farr’s casting vote enabled them to push Milnrow into 7th, after they had opened the contest with a powerful rendition of ‘Earthrise’ under Marieka Gray, whilst Felling saw their top six hopes fade away as over excitable percussion submerged the last few sections of their performance of ‘Paganini Variations’ to come 8th.

Welsh contenders Northop and Dalmellington, conducted by Archie Hutchison claimed the final top ten finishes.

Acceptance speech

Archie was later presented with a richly deserved, ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to which the immensely popular conductor responded to by giving the shortest, and possibly best ever acceptance speech in banding history – a simple ‘Thank You’ before he skipped off the stage.

Earlier, Scottish Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop enjoyed a number of performances in the Development Section of the Scottish Youth Championships (as her extensive Tweets showed), before later reiterating the Scottish Government’s admiration for the work and results SBBA has achieved.

The system meant that there was no consultation, so to win gaining three second place finishes is a credit to their high class accountSteven Mead

Scottish Open:

Adjudicators: Ray Farr, Tom Brevik & Steven Mead
Own Choice

Result:

Farr/Brevik/Mead = Total

1. Co-operative Funeralcare (Dr. Nicholas Childs): 2/2/2 = 6
2. Tertnes (Gary Peterson): 6/1/4 = 11
3. Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams): 1/10/3 = 14
4. EYMS (Alan Morrison): 4*/5/6 = 15
5. Kirkintilloch (Phillip McCann): 8*/6/1 = 15
6. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (David Nesbit): 3*/3/15 = 21
7. Milnrow (Mareika Gray): 5*/11/5 = 21
8. Felling (Stephen Malcolm): 7/12/7 = 26
9. Northop Silver (Thomas Wyss): 11/8/10 = 29
10. Dalmellington (Archie Hutchison): 12*/9/9 = 30
11. Kingdom Brass (Bede Williams): 14*/4/12 = 30
12. Regent Brass (Alan Duguid): 16/7/8 = 31
13. Blackburn & Darwen (Nick Shephard): 9/14/13 = 36
14. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham): 10/13/14 = 37
15. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan): 17/15/11 = 43
16. Lochgelly (Bryan Allan): 15/17/16 = 48
17. Bo'ness & Carriden (Paul Drury): 13/18/18 = 49
18. Fishburn (Huw Thomas): 18/16/17 = 51

*Ray Farr's position takes precdent

4BR Best Instrumentalist: Scott Findlater (Euphonium) — Kirkintilloch