There was a lively atmosphere at Perth Concert Hall on the weekend as 16 bands took to the stage to compete for the laurels in the Scottish Challenge Shield and Scottish Challenge Cup.

Although there was some disappointment in the news of two withdrawals from the original line up in the Shield contest, there was still plenty of ambitious own choice selections on show from the remaining nine First and Second Section bands.

Ponder

It meant that there was certainly plenty to ponder for the adjudicators John Doyle, Archie Hutchison and Stephen Roberts who sat independently of each other to reach an aggregate result that eventually saw Newmilns & Galston claim the magnificent trophy and the £500 first prize.

Although impressed by the ambition shown in choices that were as varied as ‘The Year of the Dragon’ and ‘Spectrum’ to ‘Academic Festival Overture’ and ‘The Accursed Huntsman’, the judges did remark that they felt that at times more basic contest performance requirements had been rather overlooked, with tuning issues in particular a cause for concern.

Impressed

However, the trio were suitably impressed by the winner’s rendition of Martin Ellerby’s ‘Chivarly’ under the experienced command of Nigel Boddice MBE, which rounded off a hard fought contest with what one of the judges called ‘a fine all round performance’.

It gained an aggregate of two first and one second place for a clear cut margin of victory over runner-up Tullis Russell Mills, with Clackmannan & District in third.

Second Section contenders Tullis impressed many with their well crafted account of ‘Music for the Common Man’ under Martyn Ramsay, whilst Clackmannan produced a colourful rendition of ‘Essence of Time’ under Paul McKelvie.

Well constructed

Speaking to 4BR, John Doyle remarked about the winners: "It was a well constructed account that certainly benefited from a very musical approach from the MD. There was a solidity about the ensemble and solo lines, and although they did encounter a few problems it was a fine all round performance."

He was also impressed by the intelligent choice of the runner-up too.

"It wasn’t the hardest piece to perform, but what they did was play it really well. The MD knew the strengths and limitations of his band and made a very good choice that was well played on the day, whilst the third placed band just made a few more minor errors."

Delighted

Newmilns MD Alan Cameron, who enjoyed playing his part in the victory in the percussion department, was delighted that the decision to link up once more with Nigel Boddice had paid dividends for his band.

"Having Nigel work with us this year has given us a huge boost of confidence," he said.

"Everyone has benefitted from the way he rehearses the band. ‘Chivarly’ is the type of piece we want to be able to perform on a regular basis as it gives us the opportunity to showcase our strengths but also improve on our weaknesses too."

He added: "We certainly enjoyed the experience and the victory, and we can now look forward to the new season knowing that we are improving all the time."

Challenge Cup:

There was a much closer battle to claim the honours in the Scottish Challenge Cup, as Kingdom Brass B narrowly claimed victory and £500 first prize with a confident performance of ‘Variations on Laudate Dominum’ under the baton of Kenneth Blackwood.

With two first places from John Doyle and Archie Hutchison, but only fourth from Stephen Roberts, it meant that Archie’s ‘casting vote’ gave Kingdom the trophy by the narrowest of margins over Barrhead Burgh with Perthshire Brass just a point behind in third.

Well worked

Barrhead also produced a well worked account of the popular Gregson work under Brian Keachie to claim the ‘Best Third Section’ honours as well as second place, whilst Perthshire produced a solid rendition of ‘Olympus’ by Philip Harper under Jason Blyth.

John Doyle once again remarked that some of the choices made by the MDs tended to be a little over ambitious on the day – with all three judges agreeing that there was a need for conductors to have spent a bit more time on the basics such as muted tuning and unison playing.

Musical performances

John told 4BR: "There wasn’t much to choose between the top three bands in the end as can be seen from the results. All three had their problems, but were able to construct musical performances on choices that were within their musical abilities."

The result gave Fourth Section Kingdom Brass a domestic ‘Grand Slam’ in their debut contesting year after victories at the Scottish Championship, Fife and Carnegie events, whilst they also ended the season crowned Fourth Section Band of the Year too.

Grand Slam year

"It’s been a great year," John Todd told 4BR.

"To end our first contesting season undefeated at home shows that the band is making real progress. The players are enjoying themselves and have gained great experience from the conductors such as Bede Williams, Andy Duncan and Ken Blackwood who have conducted them on stage.

We are now looking forward to making the step up to the Third Section in 2013."

There was a solidity about the ensemble and solo lines, and although they did encounter a few problems it was a fine all round performanceJohn Doyle on Newmilns & Galston

Results:

Scottish Challenge Shield:
Adjudicators: Stephen Roberts, John Doyle, Archie Hutchison

Roberts/Doyle/Hutchison = Total

1. Newmilns & Galston (Nigel Boddice MBE): 1/2/1 = 4
2. Tullis Russell Mills (Martyn Ramsay): 4/1/2 = 7
3. Clackmannan & District Brass (Paul McKelvie): 2/3/3 = 8
4. Johnstone Silver (Paul Kiernan): 5/4/4 = 13
5. Irvine & Dreghorn (John Boax): 3/5/5 = 13
6. Granite City Brass (Alan Haggart): 7/8/6 = 21
7. Shotts St.Patrick’s (Michael Marzella): 9/6/7 = 22
8. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman): 6/9/8 = 23
9. Croy Silver (Kenneth Blackwood): 8/7/9 = 24

Best First Section Band: Newmilns & Galston
Best Second Section Band: Tullis Russell Mills

Scottish Challenge Cup:
Adjudicators: Stephen Roberts, John Doyle, Archie Hutchison

Roberts/Doyle/Hutchison = Total

1. Kingdom Brass B (Ken Blackwood): 4/1/1 = 6
2. Barrhead Burgh (Brian Keachie): 1/3/2 = 6
3. Perthshire Brass (Jason Blyth): 2/2/3 = 7
4. MacTaggart Scott Loanhead (Jamie McVicar): 3/6/4 = 13
5. Langholm Town (Alan Fernie): 5/5/5 = 15
6. Queensferry Community Brass (James Anderson): 6/4/7 = 17
7. Dunfermline Town (David McAuley): 7/7/6 = 20

Best Third Section Band: Barrhead Burgh
Best Fourth Section Band: Kingdom Brass B