Tullis Russell Mills carried on their excellent 2014 contesting form at the Borders Entertainment Contest, held at Peebles High School on the weekend.
Under the direction of MD Paul Drury, they produced a well balanced ‘Love and War’ themed set that certainly caught the ears of adjudicators James Chamberlain and John Doyle to win the Scottish Borders Trophy and first prize of £150.
Contrast
The band beat off the challenge of 16 well led rivals by opening with ‘Phoenix’ from ‘War of the Worlds’ by Peter Graham, before offering musical contrast with the double trio flugel horn and trombone feature, ‘You are the Sunshine of My Life’.
‘The Battle of Rastarkalv’ from ‘The Saga of Haakon the Good’ brought a touch of red blooded drama to proceedings before they concluded with music from the 2000 film ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’.
Not only did Tullis take the overall honours, but they also won the Souter Ronnie Trophy and £100 as the ‘Best Second Section Band’.
Avengers
Second place went to Shotts St Patricks, directed by Mike Marzella with a set that combined music from the television series ‘The Avengers’ with the ‘Cortege’ middle movement of the classic test piece ‘Pageantry’ and the finale ‘Songs of the Quay’.
Third placed Irvine & Dreghorn, who also won the ‘Best Third Section Band’ award, started with ‘Brass Triumphant’ before playing the duet ‘Reflections’ from ‘War of the Worlds’, ‘I Will Follow Him’ and ‘Elsa’s Procession to the Minster’.
The special Queen's Head Inn Shield and £150 prize for ‘Best Entertainment’ went to Langholm Town, the ‘Best Fourth Section Band’ was won by Hawick Saxhorn and the ‘Best Borders Band’ award went to St. Ronan's.
Under the direction of MD Paul Drury, they produced a well balanced ‘Love and War’ themed set that certainly caught the ears of adjudicators James Chamberlain and John Doyle4BR
Results:
1. Tullis Russell Mills (Paul Drury)
2. Shotts St Patricks (Michael Marzella)
3. Irvine & Dreghorn (Scott Kerr)
4. St Ronans Silver (Chris Bradley)
5. Langholm Town (Chris Shanks)
6. Selkirk Silver (Alan Fernie)
7. Annan Town (Peter Heyes)
8. Jedforest Instrumental (Phil Rosier)
9. Tullis Russell Intermediate (Steven Craig)
10. Hawick Saxhorn (Alan Fernie)
11. Buckhaven & Methil Miners (David Neil)
12. Barrhead Burgh (Brian Keachie)
13. Penicuik Silver (Stuart Black)
14. Peebles Burgh (Stephen Baird)
15. MacTaggart Scott Loanhead (Bobby Weir)
16. Bon Accord B (Robert Fraser)
17. Creetown Silver (Stuart McNab)
Entertainment Prize: Langholm
Best Second Section Band: Tullis Russell Mills
Best Third Section Band: Irvine & Dreghorn
Best Fourth Section Band: Hawick Saxhorn
Best Borders Band: St. Ronan's
Best Soloist: Lynsey McIlwraith (Solo Cornet) — Shotts St. Patrick's
Best Instrumentalist: David Chesney (Bass Trombone) — Tullis Russell
Best Solo Cornet: Kelly Marshall (Bon Accord B)
Best Basses: Tullis Intermediate
Best Percussion: Buckhaven & Methil Miners
