The Whitburn Band put behind them the disappointment of narrowly missing out on Spring Festival qualification to the British Open by reclaiming the West Lothian Entertainment title at the Howden Park Centre in Livingston on the weekend.
Curious tie
Under resident conductor John Boax, they overcame the challenge of rivals Co-operative Funeralcare by the narrowest of possible margins, in one of the most curious tied contests in Scottish banding history.
With both bands ending on the same points total, Whitburn's maximum 100 point score for quality of music (compared to their rival's, 99) gave them victory — although it later transpired that the victory margin should have in fact been greater.
Marking error
With the contest supposedly using the same marking methodology used at the Brass in Concert Championship, with the exception of the programme content judge mark, it appeared that the organisers had not implemented the correct points calculation corresponding to the judge's placings of the bands.
Thankfully, on this occasion it did not affect the overall result, as Whitburn took the title for the sixth time since 2002 with a polished programme that was placed first by adjudicators Richard Marshall (Quality of Music) and Tony Swainson (Entertainment & Presentation) and second by Bruce Fraser (Programme Content).
Polished set
Whitburn's 25 minute set opened with 'Enter the Galaxies' by Paul Lovatt Cooper, followed by 'Jealousy' and 'The Bonnie Briar Bush'.
Further contrasts of style and genres came with 'Unisons' and 'When She Loved Me', before they rounded things off with 'Tale of the Dragon' by Paul Lovatt Cooper.
Prizes for Co-op
Under Andrew Duncan, defending champion Co-operative Funeralcare's, 2nd/2nd & 1st places wasn't quite good enough to retain their title, although they did pick up the awards for 'Most Entertaining Performance', 'Best New Arrangement' ('One More Day' by Andrew Duncan), 'Best Solo Item' ('Cry Me a River' featuring principal cornet Jimmy Hayes) and 'Best Group Feature'.
There was delight for third placed Clackmannan & District, conducted by Lynda Nicholson as they took the prize for the best performance of an original or arranged work by Elgar Howarth, with their rendition of 'Paris Le Soir'.
With both bands ending on the same points total, Whitburn's maximum 100 point score for quality of music gave them victory — although it later transpired that the victory margin should have in fact been greater4BR
Results:
Adjudicators: Richard Marshall/ Tony Swainson/ Bruce Fraser
Quality of Music/Entertainment & Presentation/Programme content = Total
1. Whitburn (John Boax): 100/60/38 = 198*
2. Co-operative Funeralcare (Andrew Duncan): 99/59/40 = 198
3. Clackmannan & District (Lynda Nicholson): 94/58/34 = 186
4. Kirkintilloch (Raymond Tennant): 92/56/36 = 184
5. Kingdom Brass (Eoin Tonner): 96/55/32 = 183
6. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan): 91/53/30 =174
* Quality of Music takes precedence
Most Entertaining Performance: Co-operative Funeralcare
Best New Arrangement: One More Day (Andrew Duncan) — Co-operative Funeralcare
Best Solo Item: Jimmy Hayes (cornet) — Co-operative Funeralcare
Best Elgar Howarth composition/arrangement: 'Paris Le Soir' (Kirkintilloch)
Best Group Feature/Mixed Group: Co-operative Funeralcare
