There was a 'triumphant' competitive detour made from the north of England to Scotland on the weekend by the J36 Band, as they claimed the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge Shield title in Kilmarnock under the baton of Andrew Warriner.

The Third Section band beat a host of higher graded Scottish rivals with their performance of Gareth Wood's 'Brass Triumphant', which was described by adjudicator Cpt Brenden Wheeler (joined by Alan Fernie) in his written remarks as; 'Musically well shaped by the MD — an accurate and mature reading. I personally thoroughly enjoyed it.'

Nuts and bolts

In a contest where a lack of consistency and over-ambition cost some competitors a chance of victory, it was J36's ability according to Cpt Wheeler, to put the 'nuts and bolts in the right place' that saw them walk away with a prize pot of £300, as they added the 'Best Third Section Band' to their overall success.

The First Section duo of Bo'ness & Carriden and Bathgate filled the podium slots with their renditions of 'Cloudcatcher Fells' and 'Triumphant Rhapsody' respectively, whilst the remaining top-six places in a field of 21 First to Fourth Section contenders went to Newmilns & Galston, Dunaskin Doon and Annan Town, who performed 'Of Men and Mountains', 'Tallis Variations' and 'Essay'.

Difficult contest

"It was a difficult contest to adjudicate,"Cpt Wheeler told 4BR. "We wanted to reward sensible ambition as well as good quality banding basics, so consistency was the key. No band really stood out, but the winners had the nuts and bolts in the right place on a piece they could perform well. It was a consistent, well shaped account full of good musical sense."

The Corps of Army Music, Director of Music added: "We had to balance that against more ambitious choices which didn't quite come off, but we could appreciate what the MDs were trying to achieve. Others though may need to look a little more closely at what they can perform well."

Great result

"This was a great result for the band,"J36 MD Andrew Warriner told 4BR. "It was a long journey for us to get up to Kilmarnock, but it proved to be well worth it. The players performed superbly — and a special mention must go to our solo euphonium Gary Williams who won the 'Best Instrumentalist' award."

He added: "I was also pleased that the judges rewarded our choice, which was one that I knew we could play and play well. We are an ambitious band and looking forward to promotion to the Second Section in 2017, but we are also realistic too.

We have long term aims and objectives such as the setting up of our J36 Academy and in drawing players from the local area around our base just off the motorway junction in Cumbria, and we really enjoy working together."

Solid performances

Although the top end of the results table behind J36 was taken up by First and Second Section bands, there were a number of solid performances to enjoy from other competitors, including Dysart Colliery who took the 'Best Fourth Section' award for their rendition of 'Evolution' under MD, Ross Brotherston.

Encouraging

It was also encouraging to note that two non-competitive bands in Kilmarnock Concert Brass and Granite City Community Band also took the opportunity to experience performing on stage with their well-received renditions of 'The Journal of Phileas Fogg' and 'A Malvern Suite'.

Other section awards went to Bo'ness & Carriden (First) and Dunaskin Doon (Second) on what was a highly enjoyable, slickly run day hosted by the Scottish Brass Band Association in partnership with sponsors Band Supplies.

No band really stood out, but the winners had the nuts and bolts in the right place on a piece they could perform well. It was a consistent, well shaped account full of good musical senseAdjudicator, Cpt Brenden Wheeler

Results:

Adjudicators: Alan Fernie and Brenden Wheeler

1. J36 Brass (Andrew Warriner) — 195
2. Bo'ness & Carriden (Charlie Farren) — 194
3. Bathgate (Anne Crookston) — 193
4. Newmilns & Galston (Alan Cameron) — 192
5. Dunaskin Doon (Chris Bradley) — 191
6. Annan Town (Andrew Holland) — 190
7. Abroath Instrumental (Mike Robertson) — 189
8. Dalkeith & Monktonhall (James Chamberlain) — 188
9. Granite City Brass (Bruce Wallace) — 187
10. Johnstone Band (Martyn Ramsay) — 186
11. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman) — 185
12. South Yorkshire Police (Jack Capstaff) — 184
13. Campbeltown Brass (Gordon Evans) — 183
14. Shott's St Patrick's Brass (Chris Mansfield) — 182
15. Irvine & Dreghorn (Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale) — 181
16. Perthshire Brass (George Annan) — 180
17. MacTaggart Scott Loanhead (Kenneth Letham) — 179
18. Dysart Colliery (Ross Brotherston) — 178
19. Whitburn Heartlands (Scott Kerr) — 177
20= Brass Sounds Inverclyde (Chris Mansfield) — 176
20= Tullis Russell Intermediate (Steven Craig) — 176

Not competitively adjudicated:
Kilmarnock Concert Brass (Scott Walker)
Granite City Community (Alex Dawson)

Best instrumentalist: Gary Williams (euphonium) — J36 Brass
Best First Section Band: Bo'ness & Carriden
Best Second Section Band: Dunaskin Doon
Best Third Section Band: J36 Brass
Best Fourth Section Band: Dysart Colliery