A whole clan of talented Scottish youngsters turned out in force at the recent West of Scotland Solo & Ensemble Championships in Kilmarnock.

A great day of music making saw players from Campbeltown and Dalmellington bands dominate the prizes in packed fields, which included 21 competitors in the junior solos and 16 in the intermediate solo contests.

Katrina impressed

The participants certainly impressed adjudicator Black Dyke star Katrina Marzella (with Junior Champion Erin McLellan above): "I was really impressed with the standard of playing and the sheer numbers taking part, particularly in the junior and intermediate sections," she told 4BR.

"The West of Scotland clearly has great young brass playing talent and hopefully, over the next few years, it will flourish to the benefit of the Scottish brass band scene."

Congratulations

The Yamaha performance artist, continued: "I grew up playing in solo and ensemble competitions just like this. They form such an important part of a young person's development. I would encourage all young players to take part in solo and ensemble competitions.

Congratulations to everyone for being involved in such musical performances and thanks to Yamaha and Band Supplies for enabling me to come back home to enjoy such a great event."

Qualifiers

Qualifiers from the contest have now earned the right to play at the Besson Scottish Solo & Ensemble Championships in February next year.

West of Scotland Brass Band Association Chairperson, Carrie Boax added: "Our congratulations go to everyone — and especially to the families who supported the brilliant youngsters — who took part in a great event. We were delighted to welcome so many talented young brass players to Kilmarnock, particularly in the junior and intermediate categories."

Carrie added: "The quality of playing across the age groups bodes extremely well for the brass band movement across the west of Scotland and beyond, and I know the qualifiers will represent the west well at the Besson Scottish Solo & Ensemble Championships next February."

(Image courtesy of Linda Cairns)

The West of Scotland clearly has great young brass playing talent and hopefully, over the next few years, it will flourish to the benefit of the Scottish brass band sceneKatrina Marzella

Results:

Adjudicator: Katrina Marzella
Accompanists: Alan Kitchen, Laura Galbraith, James Goodenough

Junior Solo:

1. Erin McLellan (cornet) — Campbeltown Brass
2. Andrew McMillan (horn) — Campbeltown Brass
3. Kyle Paterson (euphonium) — Campbeltown Brass

Junior Ensemble:

1. Campbeltown Brass Junior A
2. Campbeltown Brass Junior B

Intermediate Solo:

1. Calum Blair (cornet) — Coalburn Silver
2. Owen Pickering (bass trombone)- Campbeltown Brass
3. Gavin Johnston (Eb tuba) — Argyll Brass

* Most Promising Player: Amy Paterson (horn) — Campbeltown Brass

Intermediate Ensemble:

1. Campbeltown Brass Intermediate A
2. Campbeltown Brass Intermediate B
3. Coalburn Bronze

Youth Solo:

1. Rebecca Wilson (cornet) — Dalmellington
2. Paul Jamieson (Bb tuba) — Dalmellington
3. Rachel O'Connor (horn) — Dalmellington

Youth Ensemble:

1. Dalmellington Band
2. Argyll Brass Quintet