*
banner

Audience gives top marks for Brass Showcase initiative

The audience at the Brass Showcase event in Johnstone enjoyed a great day of music making from four inventive bands...

Johnstone
  Johnstone Silver Band take the applause at the Brass Showcase event

There was plenty of great music making to enjoy at the recent Brass Showcase event held at Johnstone Town Hall.

Coalburn Silver, Dunaskin Doon, Newmilns & Galston and Johnstone each presented a 30-minute concert programme to an appreciative audience, who in turn were asked to vote for their 'Band of the Day'.

All four bands featured varied and interesting repertoire, including excellent soloists and inventive multi-media presentations, whilst compere John Hamilton gave insightful explanations to keep things moving along. Each band was presented with a special prize certificate, a voucher donated by Band Supplies and a year's subscription to Brass Band World magazine.

Top marks

Judges Anne Crookston, Scott Kerr and Charlie Farren were seated in the audience, and were asked to give their score after each performance a mark out of ten in their respective category.

Anne gave her top marks for 'Quality of Performance' to Newmilns & Galston. Scott meanwhile gave top marks for 'Entertainment & Presentation' to Coalburn Silver for their 'Afternoon at the Oscars' programme which was brilliantly narrated by two junior members of the band.

Charlie awarded the top score for 'Individuals & Soloist Contributions' to Johnstone, whilst 'Best Junior Contribution' for an under-16 player, went to Alan Hunter from Coalburn Silver Band. The 'Best Soloist' award was claimed by the outstanding Johnstone cornet star Alex Ramsay.

There were also awards to Phillips MacDougall of Newmilns (Best Flugel); Ian Jamieson and Jack Archibald of Coalburn (Best Euph/Bari); Joshua Parkhill of Dunaskin (Best Trombone); Jams Tavares of Dunaskin (Best Bass); Dunaskin Doon (Best Percussion); Johnstone Silver (Best Section — basses)

All the scores were combined to give Johnstone Band overall success with a total of 25 points, whilst the audience 'Band of the Day' prize went to Coalburn Silver.

This year's Brass Showcase received a great reaction on the day, and the bands are keen to hear more audience and participant feedback to help plan future eventsspokesperson

Great reaction

A spokesperson for the even told 4BR: "This year's Brass Showcase received a great reaction on the day, and the bands are keen to hear more audience and participant feedback to help plan future events.

We feel this is very important as we look to attract more people to what is a great day of music making."

Feedback:

Those wishing to give feedback on the day please get in touch with the band at:

www.coalburnsilverband.co.uk/brassshowcasefeedback

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    


swiss

Swiss connections add to Lucerne coverage

November 27 • 4BR will be linking up with their Swiss friends at BRASS BAND NEWS to provide extra insight and opinions about the performances in Lucerne this weekend.


Philip Sparke

Sparke ignites demand for 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival

November 27 • There has already been an eager snap up of tickets for the showcase event at the RNCM in Manchester in January — led by a 75th birthday celebration of composer Philip Sparke.


Perth

Domestic and cross border challengers head to Perth

November 27 • The bands are putting their final touches to their preparations for the Scottish Open and Scottish Youth Championships this weekend in Perth.


Whitburn

Whitburn and Scottish banding to benefit from Besson and Bergarault link

November 27 • The two major instrument manufacturers link up to provide Scottish Champions and SBBA with percussion boost.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Christmas Concert

Saturday 29 November • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB S32 1BB


Barnsley Brass - A Night At The Movies

Saturday 29 November • Worsbrough Miners Welfare. Park Road. Worsbrough Bridge. Barnsley S70 5LJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Unite the Union Band

Sunday 30 November • Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross . Saddleworth. Oldham OL3 5AD


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Hathersage Band

November 27 • BACK ROW CORNET. Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


wantage silver band

November 27 • 4th section national finalists Wantage Academy are looking for a Bb bass and 2nd cornet to complete their team. A friendly, welcoming band who rehearse Wed 7-8:30pm and Sat 10am-12 under MD Gavin Clemons.


Summerbridge & Dacre Silver Band

November 25 • 2nd or 3rd cornet required to boost our back row. We are a non contesting band, but carry out numerous events across North Yorkshire. We will be doing a joint concert with Carlton Main next year.


James McLeod

BMus (hons)
Euphonium Soloist, Teacher and Conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd