*
banner

Report & Results: 2015 Band Supplies Scottish Challenge Shield

Johnstone Silver 'Dance' away with the honours in the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge Shield.

Johnston
 

The musical prelude to the Scottish Open Championship at Perth Concert Hall was provided by the 13 contenders performing works by Edward Gregson in the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge Shield.

Celebration

In what was a highly enjoyable 70th birthday celebration homage, Johnstone Silver eventually came out on top with a very confident rendition of 'Dances & Arias' under the baton of Martyn Ramsay. Principal cornet Lesley Dardis claimed the 'Best Instrumentalist' prize for her excellent personal contribution.

The contest saw bands from the First to Fourth Sections compete both for the overall title as well as various section awards, in what turned out to be something of a 'set-work own-choice' contest.

Trio of Dances

Not only did Johnstone choose Gregson's 1984 National Finals set-work to add the 'Best First Section Band' prize, but it was also the selection of podium finishers Bo'ness & Carriden and Newtongrange Silver — giving judges Bruce Fraser and Stan Lippeatt ample opportunity to compare and contrast in their written and oral remarks.

Takes some playing

It also showed that it was still a work that takes some playing as winning MD, Martyn Ramsay told 4BR.

"Even though 'Dances & Arias' is now over 30 years old, it's still very difficult to master,"he confessed. "It's so well crafted — with so much detail in the writing. It was an ambitious choice for us but we all thoroughly enjoyed working on it — and I think that showed on stage."

He added: "We had a few debutants on the day but it was players such as Lesley on principal cornet who led us to success. We have a great mix of personnel and the band is continuing to build, so the extra year in the First Section in 2016 should be of huge benefit.

I love every minute of conducting the band — especially as its only 10 minutes away from my doorstep!"

Encouraging

Although the top three bands were clearly a class apart on the day — it was encouraging to hear each of the competitors stretch their musical and technical resources with their ambitious choices, although there were times when some performances teetered on the edge somewhat.

Bo'ness continued on their recent rapid upward surge in form to come second, with National Finalist Newtongrange not quite able to live up to their pre-contest tag of favourites in ending third.

Behind the top three came the first of a quartet of 'Connotations' — Gregson's iconic 1977 Nationals set-work, which was delivered with some aplomb by Bathgate directed by Anne Crookston to finish ahead of Tullis Russell Mills and Coalburn Silver who completed the top six finishers.

Bold effort

A bold effort of the work by Dunaskin Doon saw them take the 'Best Second Section Band' prize in coming seventh, with Campbeltown's well delivered 'Laudate Dominum' seeing them take the 'Best Third Section Band' award, and MacTaggart Scott Loanhead's vibrant 'Voices of Youth' taking the 'Best Fourth Section' honours.

Although audience figures for the early morning performances were a touch sparse at times, the wide spread of bands and the excellent music proved popular with those who did spend time in the hall — although there were some queries aired later to 4BR about whether the joint written/oral adjudication system really added any additional value to the contest.

Steve Jack

It was an ambitious choice for us but we all thoroughly enjoyed working on it — and I think that showed on stageWinning MD, Martyn Ramsay

Result:

Own Choice
Adjudicators: Bruce Fraser & Stan Lippeatt

1. Johnstone Silver (Martyn Ramsay)
2. Bo'ness & Carriden (Colin McKenzie)
3. Newtongrange Silver (Michael Marzella)
4. Bathgate (Anne Crookston)
5. Tullis Russell Mills (Paul Drury)
6. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman)
7. Dunaskin Doon (Gary Williams)
8. Shotts St Patrick's Brass (Andrew Duncan)
9. Campbeltown Brass (Gordon Evans)
10. St David's Brass (John A Dickson)
11. Barrhead Burgh Band (Brian Keachie)
12. Mactaggart Scott Loanhead (Kenny Letham)
13. Penicuik Silver (Stuart Black)

Highest placed First Section: Johnstone Silver
Highest placed Second Section: Dunaskin Doon
Highest placed Third Section: Campbeltown Brass
Highest placed Fourth Section: Mactaggart Scott Loanhead

Best Instrumentalist: Lesley Dardis (Cornet) Johnstone Silver

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Brighouse

Report & Result: 2025 British Open Championship

September 7 • A fait accompli for Brighouse & Rastrick and Prof David King as they are inspired by Shakespeare and Prokofiev to claim the happiest of Symphony Hall endings on 'Star Crossed Lovers'.


Band Supplies

Band Supplies at the British Open

September 6 • Go up and meet one of the best blokes in the banding business world and he will make sure you get all the help you need for the best deals.


4BR Review

Recap on the 4BR British Open preview

September 6 • If you missed the live broadcast British Open preview on 4BR then you can just click and enjoy it again ahead of the action at Symphony Hall.


Mead

Why not be a judge at the Open this year?

September 6 • If you are following the 'Sar Crossed Lovers' action at Symphony Hall today, let us know who you think has won.


Contest: 171st British Open

Saturday 6 September • Broad Street, Birmingham. B1 2EA


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Otley Brass Association

September 7 • Front Row Cornet. -. Otley Brass Band are keen to recruit a 5th member for their front row cornets (position negotiable).. . This is an exciting opportunity to join a thriving band of 30+ players under the leadership of our newly appointed MD, Martyn Beecham


wantage silver band

September 6 • Wantage Band (Championship Section) have vacancies for a Bb BASS PLAYER and THIRD CORNET to complete their line up. Plenty of great concerts from now until Christmas with the Welsh Open, L&SC Area, British Open Grand Shield and Whit Friday in 2026.


wantage silver band

September 6 • Positions vacant: wantage silver band: Wantage Community Brass (non-competitive) are looking to recruit a new Musical Director. The group is unique in that the average age is almost certainly around 70! They rehearse on Tue from 4pm and Thu from 7pm.


Kevin Wadsworth


Conductor, adjudicator, teacher (ABBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd