*
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    


Podcast

Festival focus for 4BR Review podcast

January 14 • Join the live podcast broadcast this evening with Iwan Fox, Chris Thomas and Dr David Thornton as they preview the attractions at the forthcoming RNCM International Brass Band Festival.


RBC

Area test-piece focus at RBC Brass Day

January 14 • Players, conductors and brass band supporters can enjoy a full day of Third and Fourth Section test-piece workshops in Birmingham — with a Thomas Fountain bonus.


RNCM Festival

Cymbals to soundtracks on offer at RNCM Percussion Day

January 14 • There will be a full day of percussion attractions on offer at the RNCM in February.


Desford

Desford landmark with latest Vietnam tour

January 14 • The 2025 National Champion will head to Vietnam as they mark their 20th overseas tour.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Chinnor Silver

January 13 • New Year,New Section,New MD and for you New Band?. We are looking for a Tuned Percussionist for the areas and beyond.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday evening 8-10 in our own bandroom (so no setting up each time).


Chinnor Silver

January 13 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday (19th) at 11am in our own bandroom.. We welcome players of all abilities to join us for a relaxed,friendly rehearsal with cake and coffee thrown in all free.. Playing with us doesn’t affect your own band


Otley Brass Association

January 11 • Tenor Trombone Player needed for 6 week holiday cover with Otley Brass Band.. Practice is Tuesday nights 7.30-9.30pm at Otley Courthouse, LS21 3AN


Andy Wareham

BMus (Hons), MMus (Hons)
Conductor, Composer, Brass Tutor, Musicologist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd