Report & Results: 2018 NCBBA Solo & Ensemble

There was plenty of top-class musical talent on show at the Northern Counties BBA Solo & Ensemble contest on the weekend.

There was plenty of fine playing on show as the performers aimed to get through to the Besson sponsored final

Tuesday, 23 January 2018

The cream of North-East Scotland's young brass talent displayed their exciting musical talents at the Northern Counties Solos & Ensembles contest on the weekend.

As well as the NCBBA titles, there was further incentive for the performers, with the event also serving as the regional qualifier for the Besson Scottish Solo & Ensemble Championship final.

Sparkling

The Junior Section was won by Thomas Kobine's sparkling rendition of the 'Rondo' from Mozart's 'Horn Concerto', with Elita McFarlane also picking up a Gold Award as runner-up. Meanwhile, Holly Bennett's spirited performance of DamarÃ©'s 'Pandora' triumphed in the Intermediate age group, with podium finishers Lucy Crabb and Iona McFarlane also joining her in the National Final.

A colourful rendition of Peter Kneale's 'Variations on a Welsh Theme' gave Rhegan Fraser first place just ahead of Fraser Waddell in the Youth Section, whilst the day was rounded off with the Open Slow Melody contest.

Rhegan added to her silverware collection with a fine performance of Gilles Rocha's 'A Time For Peace' to claim the senior title with Lucy Crabb taking the Junior award.

Quality

Adjudicator Charlie Farren praised the quality of the playing on show, telling 4BR: "The region continues to produce soloists of a very high standard, able to perform works of a difficulty level well above their age group.

It was a pleasure to be invited to adjudicate such a fantastic event, and I have no doubt today's qualifiers will be strong contenders when they represent the North-East at the National Finals on Saturday 3rd February in Livingstone."

The region continues to produce soloists of a very high standard, able to perform works of a difficulty level well above their age groupAdjudicator, Charlie Farren

Results:

Adjudicator: Charlie Farren
* denotes qualifiers for Besson Scottish Solo & Ensemble Championship Finals.

Junior Solo (under 12 years):

1. Thomas Kobine (Gold Award)*
2. Elita McFarlane (Gold Award)*

Intermediate Solo (under 16 years):

1. Holly Bennett (Gold Award)*
2. Lucy Crabb (Gold Award)*
3. Iona McFarlane (Gold Award)*

Also competed:
Ailish Gracie (Silver Award)
Gavin Lee (Silver Award)

Youth Solo (under 21 years):

1. Rhegan Fraser (Gold Award)*
2. Fraser Waddell (Silver Award)*

Open Slow Melody:

1. Rhegan Fraser (Open Slow Melody champion)
2. Lucy Crabb (Junior Slow Melody champion)

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