Four innovative Scottish bands certainly made an entertainment impression on the weekend at Johnstone Town Hall.
Coalburn Silver, Dunaskin Doon, Newmilns & Galston and Johnstone each delivered 30-minute sets that were enthusiastically received by an appreciative audience, featuring soloists, ensemble works and multi-media presentations aided by the excellent compere John Hamilton.
Judges
The judges were part of the audience, and were asked to score each performance out of ten in their specific category.
Charles Keenan awarded a top score of 9 points to Newmilns & Galston for 'Quality of Performance', earning a prize certificate and a voucher donated by Band Supplies, whilst Graeme Law's top scoring band for 'Entertainment/Presentation' was Dunaskin Doon, who also gained a certificate and voucher prize. Meanwhile, Scott Kerr gave Newmilns & Galston top points for 'Individual Contribution'.
Tie
At the end of what was a highly enjoyable event, there was a tie between Dunaskin Doon and Newmilns & Galston — each on 25 points.
Scott also judged the solo awards, with the 'Best Junior Contribution' for an under-16 player going to percussionist Arran McMillan of Johnstone Band. A year's subscription donated by Brass Band World magazine went to Dougie Cameron of Newmilns & Galston as the 'Best Soloist'.
The audience 'Best Band of the Day' award, also with a one year subscription donated by Brass Band World magazine, saw a tie between Coalburn and Johnstone.
Delighted
A spokesperson for the event told 4BR: "We were delighted at the way the event was received and the reaction of both the bands and the audience to the innovative approach. We hope to run it again in the future."
We were delighted at the way the event was received and the reaction of both the bands and the audience to the innovative approach. We hope to run it again in the futureSpokesperson
Award Winners:
Overall top scoring band: Tied between Dunaskin Doon and Newmilns & Galston
Quality of Performance: Newmilns & Galston
Entertainment/Presentation: Dunaskin Doon
Contribution of Individuals and Soloist: Newmilns & Galston
Best Cornet: Calum Blair (Coalburn Silver)
Best Flugel/Horn: Emma McTaggart (Dunaskin Doon)
Best Baritone/Euphonium: Wesley Stuart (Johnstone)
Best Trombone: Blane McKnight (Dunaskin Doon)
Best Bass: Davie Murray and Davie Trusdale (Newmilns & Galston)
Best Percussion: Coalburn
Best Junior Contribution: Arran McMillan (Johnstone)
Best Section: Johnstone (Horns)
Best Soloist: Dougie Cameron (Newmilns & Galston)
Audience Band of the Day: Shared between Coalburn Silver and Johnstone