Young brass players dazzled on the first day of the Besson Scottish Solo & Ensemble Championship at the Howden Park Centre in Livingston, with musicians from Campbeltown Brass and Dalmellington Bands triumphing along with those from West Lothian and Carnoustie.

Favour

The ‘Youth Solo Champion’ prize went to 20-year-old trombone player, Dan Eddison, after his performance of ‘The Blue Bells of Scotland’ found favour with adjudicators, Tom Hutchinson and Owen Farr.

Meanwhile, further success for Dalmellington came in the ‘Senior Ensemble’ category, with victory for the ‘A’ quintet, who scooped the Clydebank Burgh Band Trophy with their rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.

Impressed

The winner of the ‘Intermediate Solo’ category for players aged 13-16, was Jordan Robertson.

The 16-year-old from Carnoustie & District Youth Band impressed with Eric Ewazen's ‘Sonata For Trombone & Piano’, whilst Carnoustie also claimed a double in the ‘Intermediate Quartet’ age group with its trombone foursome playing ‘Finale and Blues 2’ by Christopher Norton, followed by ‘Shibuya’, the last movement from Philip Sparke's ‘Tokyo Triptych’.

Earlier, tenor horn player Amy Paterson of Campbeltown Brass stormed to victory in the ‘Junior’ category with an impressive rendition of ‘La Belle Americaine’, whilst the James Young High School group claimed first prize in the ‘Junior Ensemble’ category, proudly taking home the Kinneil Band trophy.

Ensemble reflections

Reflecting on the playing in the ensemble contests, Tom Hutchinson told the audience: “One of the main things with a small ensemble is there are less people to hide behind than when you’re playing in a band.

A few groups also used a conductor, and it’s usually clear when to play by following that person. If you don’t use a conductor, work out who is leading.”

Owen meanwhile praised the teachers and accompanists for their efforts, telling the musicians the key to successful performances was about more than fireworks.

Heart warming

SBBA President, Carrie Boax, reflected positively on the first day of the event the event, telling 4BR: “I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the standard of playing, from the youngest to the oldest.

Great praise is due to the conductors and teachers for their efforts — particularly in light of the cuts which are being made to instrumental tuition across the country.

It is also heart-warming to see such fine playing from many players who are involved in the National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland [NYBBS] and to see the young musicians socialising with each other in-between performances.”

High class

The second day was also full of high class playing, with Dean Bromage of Tullis Russell Mills triumphing in the ‘Open Solo’ category thanks to an engaging performance of ‘Life’s Pageant’.

The 27-year-old shared the podium places with tenor horns rivals Iain Fleming and Rachel Neil, with the trio also sharing the spoils in a keenly fought ‘Slow Melody’ category, with Rachel, of Kirkintilloch Band, coming out on top with her fine rendition of ‘A Time for Peace’.

Flamboyant

Meanwhile, the ‘Ensemble Category’ was won by Co-operative Funeralcare’s trombone quartet, with their flamboyant performance of ‘Excerpts from Liszt’ beating rivals Ayrshire Brass.

Further success for Tullis Russell came in the form of Emma Miller, 16, and Carol Ednie, 15, as the pair marched to victory in the ‘Open Duet’ category, whilst earlier in the day it was the turn of the country’s brightest percussion playing talents to take to the stage.

Excellent percussion

17 year old Ruaridh Neil, from Perth, held the attention of the audience throughout with a mature reading of ‘Marimba Flamenca’ to take the honours in a contest which had no shortage of variety; drum kit, timpani and vibraphone were among the other instruments to feature.

It was a competition which left adjudicator Sarah Naish thoroughly impressed. “What a great morning we had listening to so many young players on such a variety of instruments,” she told 4BR.

“I would though, ask the young percussionists to check the height and position of each instrument, making sure it's right for them to play, positioning the instrument so the audience can see them and their sticks.

The choice of mallet and stick is important too but most of all, acknowledging the audience is crucial! Take a bow and enjoy the moment!”

With thanks to Mark Good

Great praise is due to the conductors and teachers for their efforts — particularly in light of the cuts which are being made to instrumental tuition across the countrySBBA President, Carrie Boax

Results:

Junior Ensemble:
1. James Young High School (Gold)

Gold Award:
Coalburn Bronze

Silver Award:
Campbeltown Junior Quintet
Carnoustie A Quintet
Kingdom Brass Youth
Tullis Russell Youth A

Bronze Award:
Duns Primary School
St. Ronan's Future Band

Junior Solo:
1. Amy Paterson (horn) — Campbeltown Brass (Gold)

Gold Award:
Erin McLellan (cornet) — Campbeltown Brass
Iona McFarlane (baritone) — Carnoustie & District
Holly Bennet (baritone) — Carnoustie & District
Euan Court (Eb Bass) — Coalburn Bronze
Lizzie Bell (horn) — St. Ronan's Silver

Silver Award:
Eliza Bevan (trombone) — Duns Primary
Shannon Todd (horn) — Kingdom Brass Youth
Callum Robb (cornet) — St. Ronan's Silver
Katie Anderson (baritone) — Whitburn Youth

Bronze Award:
Gavin Lee (cornet) — Carnoustie High School
Tanera Callaghan (cornet) — St. Margaret's Academy
Gregor Koziel (cornet) — Tullis Russell Youth
Gregor Finlay (trombone) — Tullis Russell Youth
Rachel Harris (horn) — Whitburn Youth

Intermediate Ensemble:
1. Carnoustie ‘C’ Quartet (Gold)

Gold Award:
Campbeltown Brass ‘A’
Carnoustie ‘A’ Quintet
Whitburn Heartlands

Silver Award:
Carnoustie ‘B’ Quintet
Hawick High School (Yellow)
James Young High School
St. Ronan's Future
Tullis Russell Intermediate ‘A’

Bronze Award:
Campbeltown Brass ‘B’
Hawick High School (Blue)
Tullis Russell Intermediate ‘B’
Whitburn Youth Band

Intermediate Solo:
1. Jordan Robertson (trombone) — Carnoustie High School

Gold Award:
Chris Flynn (euphonium) — Carnoustie High School
Finlay McGhee (euphonium) — Carnoustie High School
Harry Marshall (cornet) — Hawick High School

Silver Award:
Callum Blair (cornet) — Barrhead Burgh
Owen Pickering (trombone) — Campbeltown Brass
Olivia McCutcheon (euphonium) – Dallmellington
Madeline Hume (flugel) — Hawick High School
Louise Freeborn (baritone) — James Young High School
Leighton Griffin (euphonium) — Newtongrange Silver Band
Carol Ednie (baritone) — Tullis Russell Intermediate
Mark Elwis (cornet) — Whitburn Youth

Bronze Award:
Molly Marshall (Eb Bass) — Hawick High School
Jay Stenhouse (baritone) — Tullis Russell Intermediate
Emma Miller (baritone) — Tullis Russell Intermediate

Youth Ensembles:
1. Dalmellington ‘A’ — 85
2. Tullis Russell Intermediate — 78
3. Dalmellington ‘B’ — 77

Youth Solos:
1. Dan Eddison (trombone) — Dalmellington — 85
2= Lynsay Brown (cornet) — Dalmellington — 75
2= Rebecca Wilson (cornet) — Dalmellington — 75
3. Kyle Kinnear (euphonium) — Tullis Russell Intermediate -72

Percussion Solo:
Adjudicator: Sarah Naish

1. Ruaridh Neil (marimba) — Buckhaven & Methill Miners (Gold)

Gold Award:
Michael McLaughlin (marimba) — Tullis Russell Mills

Silver Award:
Cameron Hogg (drumkit) — Kingdom Percussion Academy
Amber Wilson (vibraphone) — Kingdom Percussion Academy
Marcus Latto (drumkit) — Kingdom Percussion Academy
Emma Smith (xylophone) — Kingdom Percussion Academy
Lewis Halstead (xylophone) — Kingdom Percussion Academy

Bronze Award:
Abbie Smith (timpani) — Kingdom Percussion Academy

Trophy for Best 13 — 16 Soloist: Michael McLaughlin

Open Slow Melody:
1. Rachel Neil (horn) — Kirkintilloch — 85
2. Ian Fleming (horn) — Whitburn — 82
3. Dean Bromage (cornet) — Tullis Russell — 80
4. Stephen Lomas (bass trombone) — In Slide Out — 78
5. Euan Meikle (cornet) — Whitburn — 77
6. Raymond Galt (trombone) — Kirkintilloch Kelvin — 76
7. Fiona Rodger (baritone) — Bo'ness & Carriden — 75

Open Ensemble:
1. Co-operative Funeralcare — 88
2. Ayrshire Brass — 80

Open Duet:
1. Emma Miller & Carole Ednie Baritones — 80

Open Solos:
1. Dean Bromage (cornet) — Tullis Russell Mills — 85
2. Ian Fleming (horn) — Whitburn — 83
3. Rachel Neil (horn) — Kirkintilloch — 80
4. Stephen Lomas (bass trombone) — In Slide Out — 79

Individual Awards:
Philip McCann Award for Best Cornet: Dean Bromage
George Gilmour Award for Best Trombone: Paul Kiernan
Bram Thomson Award for Best Horn or Flugel: Rachel Neil
James Gourlay Award for Best Bass: Laura Shannon
John Stark Award for Best Euphonium or Baritone: Fiona Rodger
David Young Award for Best over 40 Soloist: Ian Fleming