There was a fine turn out of bands from both sides of Hadrian’s Wall at the recent Fife Charities Contest at the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy, where Kingdom Brass returned to prize winning form under the baton of MD Lynda Nicholson.

Compare and contrast

The own choice test pieces gave adjudicators David Thornton and Stuart Black plenty to compare and contrast, with the winner’s fine performance of ‘English Heritage’ giving them the edge over rivals, Clackmannan District, who played ‘Paganini Variations’ with Bo’ness & Carriden in third with ‘Ballet for Band’.

Kingdom picked up the section awards for ‘Best Basses’ and ‘Best Percussion’ with Chris Mansfield also picking up the ‘Best Trombone’ trophy. The band also topped the march category and took the prize as the ‘Best Fife Band’ to complete a comprehensive day of success.

Hymn tune

Clackmannan headed the hymn tune category under the baton of Paul McKelvie, with Hugh Foster of Bo’ness claiming the ‘Best Cornet’ prize. The ‘Best Horn’ went to Shona Hutchison of Dalmellington and the ‘Best Euphonium’ to Richard Kidd of Bon Accord.

Section awards were claimed by Bon Accord thanks to their performance of ‘Isaiah 40’, Tullis Russell Mills for ‘Trittico’, Renfrew Burgh with ‘Dimensions’ and Tullis Russell Intermediate with a reprise of their Cheltenham Finals test piece, ‘A Malvern Suite’. The band also took the prize as the best Fife B Band.

Kingdom picked up the section awards for ‘Best Basses’ and ‘Best Percussion’ with Chris Mansfield also picking up the ‘Best Trombone’ trophy4BR

Results:
Adjudicators: Stuart Black & David Thornton

1. Kingdom Brass (Lynda Nicholson) — 195
2. Clackmannan District (Paul McKelvie) — 194
3. Bo'ness & Carriden (Bryan Allen) — 193
4. Bon Accord (Steve Malcolm) — 191
5. Dalmellington (Archie Hutchison) — 190
6. Lochgelly (Martyn Ramsay) — 189
7. Tullis Russell Mills (Paul Drury) — 188
8. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman) — 186
9. Newmilns & Galston (Alan Cameron) — 185
10. Broxburn & Livingston (Michael Marzella) — 184
11. Yorkshire Emley Brass (Garry Hallas) — 183
12. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good) — 182
13. Tullis Russell Intermediate (Steven Craig) — 181
14. Dumfries Town (Neill McDonald) — 180

Best First Section Band: Bon Accord Silver
Best Second Section Band: Tullis Russell Mills
Best Third Section Band: Renfrew Burgh
Best Fourth Section Band: Tullis Russell Intermediate

Best Fife A Band: Kingdom Brass
Best Fife B Band: Tullis Russell Intermediate

Best March Performance: Kingdom Brass
Best Hymn Tune Performance: Clackmannan District Brass

Best Cornet: Hugh Foster (Bo'ness & Carriden)
Best Flugel Horn/Tenor Horn: Shona Hutchison (horn, Dalmellington)
Best Euphonium or Baritone: Richard Kidd (euphonium, Bon Accord)
Best Trombone: Chris Mansfield (Kingdom Brass)
Best Bass Section: Kingdom Brass
Best Percussion: Kingdom Brass