St. Ronan's Silver directed by Chris Bradley emerged as winners of the 15th Borders Entertainment Contest in an excellent event hosted by Langholm Town Band.
It proved to be a memorable contest day for the Innerleithen band as they lifted the Scottish Borders Trophy, the Second Section Trophy and the prize as the highest placed Borders band. The celebratory drinks bill was helped to be met by a very handy prize package of £250.
Winning programme
The band's programme opened with the innovative 'Home of Legends' by Paul Lovatt-Copper. The rousing opener saw the band lift the roof in the Buccleuch Centre following principal cornet player Ian Aitchison who led the way as the band employed effective choreography.
This was followed by flugel soloist, Jill Keddie, in a beautiful rendition of 'When She Loved Me' from the film 'Toy Story 2' with further contrast shown with the thumping 'MacArthur Park.' The band finished off with 'Nightingale Dances' with the band's solo cornet bench all playing the opening on flugel horns.
Judges impressed
The adjudicators were certainly impressed with Richard Evans' commenting, "...this is a fine show from a fine band being well directed."
"We are over the moon with the win, which comes after several weeks of hard work by the members and both our conductors, Chris Bradley and Bandmaster David Robb," explained Band Secretary Keith Belleville.
"The Band has won the Borders Contest twice in the past (2001 and 2003) and we are delighted to have been able to bring the trophies home to Innerleithen again this year."
Awards
Runner-up Broxburn & Livingston also took the coveted entertainment award, as the Third Section band pipped third placed Shott's St Patrick's, whilst hosts, Langholm Town picked up the new deportment prize.
Section awards went to Renfrew Burgh (Third) and Buckhaven & Methil (Fourth) with individual awards claimed by Gillian McCain (Best Soloist), Samantha Cuthill (Best Instrumentalist) and Lynsey Mcilwraith (Best Solo cornet).
Cross border challenge
Seventeen bands from across Scotland and the north of England took part in a full day of music-making, finding rich praise for their efforts from adjudicators Richard Evans and Charlie Farren. This year the open adjudication saw voice-over remarks given Charlie recorded by Nigel Durno, as well as written remarks by Richard.
This was the second time that the event has been held in Langholm and returned this year to mark the Band's bicentenary. The Borders Entertainment Contest will return in 2016 to be held for the first time, in Galashiels.
It proved to be a memorable contest day for the Innerleithen band as they lifted the Scottish Borders Trophy, the Second Section Trophy and the prize as the highest placed Borders band4BR
Results:
1. St. Ronan's Silver (Chris Bradley)
2. Broxburn & Livingston (Chris Shanks)
3. Shotts St. Patrick's Brass (Craig Anderson)
4. Jedforest Instrumental (Phil Rosier)
5. Annan Town (Peter Heyes)
6. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good)
7. Langholm Town (Chris Shanks)
8. Selkirk Silver (Stuart Black)
9. Durham Miners' Association (Tom Gibson)
10. Barrhead Burgh (Brian Keachie)
11. Buckhaven & Methil Miners (David Neil)
12. Peebles Burgh (Stephen Baird)
13. Hawick Saxhorn (Alan Fernie)
14. Penicuik Silver (Stuart Black)
15. Creetown Silver (Stuart McNab)
16. Irvine & Dreghorn (Scott Kerr)
17. Callander Brass (Ian Milligan)
Entertainment Prize: Broxburn & Livingston
Best Second Section Band: St. Ronan's Silver
Best Third Section Band: Renfrew Burgh
Best Fourth Section Band: Buckhaven & Methil Miners
Highest Placed Borders Band: St. Ronan's Silver
Best Deportment: Langholm Town
Best Soloist: Gillian McCain (soprano) — Durham Miners' Association
Best Instrumentalist: Samantha Cuthill (euphonium) — Broxburn & Livingston
Best Solo Cornet: Lynsey Mcilwraith (Shotts St. Patrick's Brass)
Best Bass Section: Barrhead Burgh
Best Percussion Section: Jedforest Instrumental
