Talented bass and percussion players from Inverclyde in Scotland have starred at Riverside Youth Band's first ever Solo Competition.

Fifteen band members took to the stage to perform their chosen works at the recent event in Port Glasgow Salvation Army, which was adjudicated by Riverside Youth Band's Musical Director, Mark Good.

Rising star

Rising cornet star Alan Hunter, 15, triumphed in the Senior Solo category ahead of 13-year-old Libby Hunter on horn and trombone player Jack Vize, aged 15, whilst the Clydeview Academy pupil also took the overall award for 'Outstanding Brass Performance' with his rendition of Percy Code's 'Zelda'.

The Intermediate Solo competition was won by trumpet player Gregor Hewitt, 13, who certainly impressed with his performance of 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' to pip bass trombonist Mark Gammon, 13, and 14-year-old Fraser Maclachlan.

Wonderful standard

Musical Director Mark Good told 4BR: "There was a wonderful standard of playing on show for this first ever solo competition.

Getting on stage to play a solo in front of your peers is not an easy thing to do, but it is such a positive experience and has a tremendous impact on a young musician's development and self-confidence.

Everyone did themselves and their teachers proud, and we hope the solo competition will become an annual fixture in Riverside Youth Band's calendar."

Getting on stage to play a solo in front of your peers is not an easy thing to do, but it is such a positive experience and has a tremendous impact on a young musician's development and self-confidenceMusical Director Mark Good

Further boost

The solo competition came during a busy spell for Riverside Youth Band, which saw it joined by the Riverside Training Band for a concert in the Old Kirk, Kilmacolm. The Scottish Youth Champion performed to an enthusiastic audience to bring 'OK Fest', the church's first music festival, to a close.

A further boost however came after the band was awarded £1000 of funding from Inverclyde Council's 'Grants to Voluntary Organisations' scheme, which will be used to purchase new uniforms.