Newtongrange Silver delivered an excellent 20-minute entertainment programme to claim the recent Northern Counties Open title, denying defending champion Kingdom Brass the opportunity to secure a hat-trick of wins at the Kinross event in the process.

Ten bands took part, with adjudicator Alan Fernie admitting to "having enjoyed every performance", with each band from Fourth to Championship Section bringing "something interesting and different to the stage".

Outstanding

"I've had a lovely, relaxed day", he said, "...with 10 fine bands playing well chosen and appropriate programmes", although he added that the top two were, "...outstanding, and their mini concerts were each an event."

In the end just a single point separated Newtongrange and Kingdom Brass, as MD Andrew Duncan led the Midlothian band to their first success, dashing hopes of a third successive NCBBA win for the Fife outfit. Bon Accord, who themselves had claimed a hat-trick of wins at the contest between 2014 and 2016 were third.

Tremendous performance

Following their top-six finish at the Senior Cup, little wonder then conductor Andrew Duncan was pleased. "It's another indicator of our good progress over the past year. It was a tremendous performance from top to bottom and just reward for the player's hard work.

The entertainment format has been an interesting challenge for us: It really forces bands and conductors to think hard about being inventive with their programming."

In Newtongrange's case that extra thought clearly paid off, with Alan Fernie awarding them the 'Most Entertaining Programme' prize as they opened with Andrew's own arrangement of the march 'Anchors Aweigh', featuring a US marching band-style drum line that claimed the 'Best Percussion Section' honours.

Principal cornet Angus Edmond starred with a sprightly 'Tico Tico', before Mark Freeh's arrangement of 'Tonight' from West Side Story led into an exuberant 'Balkan Dance'. Andrew's acclaimed arrangement of Randy Edelman's stirring 'Reunion and Finale' from the American civil war drama 'Gettysburg' closed things off to sustained applause.

To add to the silverware collection, the experienced Gordon Jenkins took the 'Best Soprano' accolade with the band also scooping up the 'Best Non-NCBBA Band' and 'Best Conductor' trophies.

Poignant

There was disappointment then for Kingdom Brass on missing out on a third win in a row, although they took home the 'Best First Section' award under Paul Drury.

There was also a richly deserved, yet poignant 'Best Soloist' award for principal trombone Alex Philip as his performance of 'Misty Eyes' was dedicated to his brother Neil, an equally talented euphonium player with the band who tragically passed away a few weeks ago.

Kingdom opened with the bustling theme from 'Softly, Softly', before Alex Philip's award-winning playing led into Disney's 'Tangled', with the MD's own arrangement of the aptly-titled 'Kingdom Dance'. There was still time left for some 'Girl Talk', before they rounded things off with James Curnow's 'A Psalm of Praise'.

Space theme

The final podium spot and the 'Best NCBBA Member Band' trophy went to Bon Accord Silver led by Steve Malcolm.

The Aberdeen band's 'space' programme opened with the sparkling 'Ad Astra', preceding a classy turn from trombonist Mark Boyd on 'Stardust' that drew praise from both audience and adjudicator alike. A purposeful 'Scherzo for X-Wings' followed, before the serene 'Lake of Tenderness' led into the finale from Philip Sparke's 'Music of the Spheres'.

Awards

Newmains & District conducted by Michael Marzella continued on their upward curve of contesting progress as they took fourth spot and the 'Best Second Section Band' award with their cleverly structured 'Reflection and Celebration' themed set.

The remaining top six-places went to Clackmannan District and local favourites Perthshire Brass, who claimed the 'Best Third Section Band' award from the number one slot with a cheeky arrangement of the theme to long-running Scottish TV comedy 'Still Game'.

The 'Best Fourth Section' trophy went to the Bon Accord Silver 'B' Band, with MD Jennifer Cook gaining deserved plaudits for an ambitious programme that featured tuba star Laura Carter's bear-suited 'Bare Necessities' .

Just before the announcement of the results, Alan Fernie ensured he was the most popular man in the town as he simple said: "Brass Bands are bloody brilliant!"After a day of friendly rivalries, joy and affectionate remembrance, and, above all, some fabulous music making across the board, nobody disagreed.

It was a tremendous performance from top to bottom and just reward for the player's hard workWinning MD, Andrew Duncan

Result:

Adjudicator: Alan Fernie

1. Newtongrange Silver (Andrew Duncan) — 96pts
2. Kingdom Brass (Paul Drury) — 95pts
3. Bon Accord Silver (Steve Malcolm) — 92pts
4. Newmains & District (Michael Marzella) — 91pts
5. Clackmannan District (Ross Brotherston) — 90pts
6. Perthshire Brass (George Annan) — 88pts
7. Whitburn Heartlands (Iain Fleming) — 87pts
8. Bon Accord Silver 'B' (Jennifer Cook) — 86pts
9. Dundee Instrumental (Robert McDonald) — 85pts
10. Dunfermline Town (Andy Shaw) — 84pts

Best First Section Band: Kingdom Brass
Best Second Section Band: Newmains & District
Best Third Section Band: Perthshire Brass
Best Fourth Section Band: Bon Accord Silver 'B'

Most Entertaining Programme: Newtongrange Silver
Best Percussion: Newtongrange Silver
Best Soloist: Alex Philip (Kingdom Brass)
Best Soprano: Gordon Jenkins (Newtongrange Silver)
Winning Conductor: Andrew Duncan
Best NCBBA Band: Bon Accord Silver
Best Non-NCBBA Band: Newtongrange Silver