Report & Results: 2024 Scottish Championships

the cooperation band, Kirkintilloch, Newmains & District, Croy Silver and Bon Accord B claim the domestic honours in Perth.

In what proved to be an absorbing, if familiar battle for domestic Scottish top section supremacy in Perth, the cooperation band confidently denied the hat-trick title aspirations of defending champion Whitburn.

Inspired by their Belgian/Swiss conductor Glenn Van Looy, it saw 'The Co' claim a 25th 'Area' win (they now have 36 'Scottish' victories stretching back to 1924), and their first under his baton. It will now see them represent the nation at the 2025 European Championships in Stavanger.

It also came with a plethora of individual silverware, with the MD the recipient of the Walter Hargreaves Trophy and his principal cornet (Jim Hayes), flugel (Stephanie Kennedy), horn (Chris Hamilton), baritone (Carole Ednie) and euphonium (Chris Flynn) deservedly adding to their personal collection of accolades.

Satisfaction

The communal stage celebrations were understandably long and loud, although the MD wore a more reserved smile of satisfaction as he accepted the heartfelt congratulations of players and supporters alike.

"I'm very happy the band has been rewarded for the hard work they've put in," he said.

"They are great to work with and really delivered on my musical intentions. I've been told they like to celebrate a victory, so this could be an interesting night!"

Indeed it would have been, as can the future of this growing musical partnership which on this evidence has the potential to flourish further with the MDs engaging musical personality imbuing the vibrant music making of his band.

Here it led to an 'Enigma' of defined style and substantive control as they secured a narrow, but clear-cut margin of victory as the last band to play — one fully endorsed by both the stage and post results comments of judges Chris King and Tom Davoren.

"It was quite a stiff test for the bands," Chris questioned the audience in his pre-results analysis (met with a knowing silence of acceptance) before adding that despite this, there was also "some exceptional playing" on show from individuals (met with immediate applause) and "excellent starts to pieces".

However, he also added that many tailed off in what he said was "a familiar theme" which (alongside the demanding horn variation and even errant tubular bells entries) shaped their decision making.

Similar speech

Meanwhile, Tom admitted that he found himself having to repeat "a very similar speech" to that made in Yorkshire the weekend before — "all centred on the kind of piece this is and how we approach it as players and conductors".

He praised the way in which all bands "chased the spirit and style of the music really admirably", but what separated them (the two at the top, followed by a "large cluster of bands in the middle" and a "smaller group of bands at the bottom") was where the basic grounding was in place in increasing competency to the top.

On the evidence he heard he felt Scottish banding was "in a really healthy state" in relation to other areas, although he hoped that more music of this Sparke vintage would make all bands better.

Little to complain

Whilst the eventual result was to be one of disappointment for Whitburn as they sought to emulate their last hat-trick success back in 1982, they will have little cause for complaint, even if a second successive defeat to their rivals (who also won the Scottish Open) will have stung.

Despite winning awards for 'Best Percussion' and 'Best Bass' sections, as well as for their fine 'Best Bass' Alan Gourlay (the first time the award has gone to BBb player), they never quite sounded as commanding in ensemble authority as their rivals — the standing cornets and troms lacking the jubilant closing affirmation that Prof Nicholas Childs was able to elicit from Black Dyke the previous weekend.

Third force

It was however more than good enough to claim one of the two Albert Hall places on offer, although a delighted Bon Accord produced a third podium finish in four competitive years under Adam Cooke (aided by their 'Best Trombone', Mark Boyd) as they continued to provide further evidence of their growing substance as Scotland's 'third force'.

Behind them a solid Kirkintilloch Kelvin benefited from a finely judged interpretation by Mareika Gray to end fourth (aided by their guest 'Best Soprano', Walter Zuidam from Brass Band Schoonhoven), just ahead of well worked accounts from top section debutants Coalburn Silver and Fife challengers Kingdom Brass.

First Section:

Eric Ball's 'High Peak' offered an equally demanding (if very different) test of the musical credentials of the First Section bands.

That was certainly not lost on judges Chris King and Tom Davoren who gave tactful pre-results remarks about what they had heard from the nine competitors.

Tom later said in interview that it had been, "a reminder of how involved and skilled you have to be as an individual and as a band to be to bring Eric Ball's music to life".

Few would disagree after bands battled to link the realities of technique with the metaphorical struggles of the spiritual attainment the composer so wonderfully brings together.

Very special

However, "a very special" winning performance from Kirkintilloch Band conducted by Hedley Benson certainly did that for the judges, whilst it was an essence that runner-up and fellow Cheltenham qualifier Granite City managed "to capture too".

It also further reiterated Tom's stage remarks that the duo had enjoyed "one excellent performance and one very good one".

Kirkintilloch's first Scottish Championship since 2019 also benefitted greatly from the considered understanding of the score by MD Hedley Benson, as well as the mature appreciation of his players (notably 'Best Horn', Alan Wardrope).

Speaking about their third win in the last four competitive outings, spokesperson Pat Murray told 4BR: "We're obviously delighted, as its shows that things are progressing so well with a great conductor and a committed, settled band.

Getting back to the Championship Section has been a long-held ambition now achieved, and we are determined to make a mark at the Senior Cup and National Final. This performance of 'High Peak' was a great way to show just how far we have come under Hedley — with the promise of more to come."

Stern test

Earlier Chris said that 'High Peak' had "been a stern test", although he did add that there had been some "super performances"and highlighted the quality of the soloists (cornets and flugel in particular).

Tom also gave further insight into the composition's structure, whilst pleading that it was a type of music that needed to be performed more.

Runner-up Granite City certainly lived up to its name as the Aberdeen band produced a performance chiselled in qualification determination under MD Bruce Wallace. Aided by their splendid 'Best Instrumentalist' Alan Wilson on principal cornet, they made a deserved return for the first time since 2014.

Tom also revealed that "there was something of merit" in every performance (he and Chris had taken time to "separate the bands out in the middle of the pack") with just an increasing fragilities and transition problems marking the likes of podium finisher Bo'ness & Carriden ahead of top-six finishers Dunaskin Doon, Newtongrange Silver and Loghgelly.

Second Section:

Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale and Stan Lippeatt revealed that they had certainly enjoyed their time listening to the eleven bands perform Philip Sparke's 'Triptych'.

Few would argue either after a contest brimming with quality renditions topped by an excellent winning performance from Newmains & District ahead of fellow qualifiers Broxburn & Livingston.

Set the tone

Both certainly 'set the tone' Helen said they were looking for in the box, with the clear, articulate rhythmic drive and precision of the opening section counterbalanced by the lyricism on the middle movement and joyfulness of the finale.

The excellent command of the contest basics was key to Newmains & District's success — one that will see them head south in September to Cheltenham for a fourth time since reforming in 2016.

Paul McKelvie's light touch direction also enabled them to bring a defined character to the music as they deservedly added a second, Second Section title to the one won in 2019.

Utterly delighted

Band spokesperson John Stirling later told 4BR: "We're utterly delighted! The latter half of 2023 and into this year has been a rebuilding process following the effects of Covid.

Paul has been meticulous in what he does to benefit everyone in the band, and his and the players hard work paid off here with a performance to be very proud of."

Allen key

Joining Newmains will be Broxburn & Livingston who produced a finely structured account under the experienced Bryan Allen to secure their qualification (their first since 2018) in two-point margin comfort. The band's soprano player Marc Howarth claimed the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

Although there was a little gremlin in the initial result announcement, it was quickly confirmed that a solidly portrayed account from Paul Drury and Clackmannan & District was third ahead of well delivered performances from Jedforest Instrumental, Campbeltown Brass and Annan Town.

Third Section:

Composer Christopher Bond continued his regional travels (which had seen him visit Huddersfield & Corby the previous weekend and head to Torquay after his trip to Perth) to hear his work 'Corineus' performed splendidly by the nine contenders.

And whilst he playfully said that if the bands didn't like it then it was written by his good friend Alan Fernie (a playful joke that was batted back to him by Alan after his work was played with equal verve and tenacity in the Fourth Section), he needn't have worried.

Adjudicators Tom Davoren and Chris King were obviously impressed by the composition and the performances it inspired.

They called it "fun" with "serious contributions required", especially from the main players and the MDs ability to "follow the instructions of the composer" to knit together a coherent structure to make the evocative narrative story come to life.

Super winner

Consistency in approach and execution were paramount — and that was certainly displayed in a super winner performance from Croy Silver to repeat their 2020 victory to return to Cheltenham for a fourth time under their MDs baton.

Speaking about the victory, with the trophy held proudly in his hands, Kenneth Blackwood said: "Croy is one street and we have a brass band, so it's all about coming together on a Monday and a Thursday and playing music."

He generously added that "anyone could have won today — it's all about opinion, so I'm just thankful that it was my interpretation of the piece that floated the judges' boat".

He added: "It was a great piece, very impressionist piece, so everyone had to be on their toes. Music was the winner. I'm very proud and delighted."

Cracking Perthshire

Joining them in Cheltenham (for the first time since 2019) will be Perthshire Brass, who also gave a cracking performance packed with solid basic requirements under William McMullan, whilst just missing out was last year's Fourth Section winner Highland Brass.

The remaining top-six places in a highly entertaining and encouraging quality contest went to Brass Sounds Inverclyde, St Ronan's Silver and Peebles Burgh.

Fourth Section:

Over the last few years there has been a growing solidity as well as quality to the foundation level Fourth Section in Scotland.

11 bands took to the stage on Sunday morning for what proved to be a super contest — helped greatly by their understanding of Alan Fernie's equally user-friendly, 'Music for Jock Tamson'.

The praise heaped upon them all from adjudicator John Boax and Stan Lippeatt was in no way patronising or misplaced either, as each delivered renditions of character — from mischievous fun to lyrical beauty.

Thrilling Bon Accord B

In the end Bon Accord Silver B led by Jennifer Cook claimed the title with a thrilling rendition which will see them make the long trip to Cheltenham for the first time since 2012. The band's splendid solo euphonium Hannah Noble deservedly took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

Jennifer very nearly made it a 'double', as she also played with the senior Bon Accord Band later in the day that came a third in the top-section.

"I'm delighted for everyone," she later told 4BR. "What a performance from a number 1 draw at 9.30am on a Sunday morning!

It was so mature and controlled and I couldn't have wished for anything more. I may have missed the result getting ready to play later, but that doesn't matter — everyone else could enjoy it straight away!"

It was the band's first Scottish Championship win since 1996, a few years before some of the players were even born, whilst it was also a fantastic swan-song for Jennifer as she now takes leave of the band after nine years at the helm.

She added: "I started under founder Stewart Watson, so to leave on a high was both joyful and sad, but I will be supporting them every step of the way at Cheltenham for sure!"

Buckhaven first

Also making the long journey south will be Buckhaven & Methil Miners after their excellent rendition led by the experienced Steven Craig booked their first appearance since 2007.

Behind them a series of closely matched bands all gave of their best in producing renditions packed with character as well as enthusiasm, with each also containing a liberal sprinkling of youngsters in their ranks, including 'Youngest BBb Bass Player' Jack Mayer of MacTaggart Scott Loanhead.

Inclusivity the key

Although there remains is a fierce competitive rivalry on display throughout the Scottish Championship weekend, it is one that comes within an overall ethos of friendly inclusion.

That was once again led by SBBA President Carrie Boax and her team of volunteers, including members of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland playing an integral role in how the contest weekend was run.

With the addition of the open 4b Section with bands from Brass Central Strathern, Clackmannan District Youth & Development Brass and Forfar Instrumental, SBBA continues to look to the future — one which with the long term support of Creative Scotland is providing a template for success others may well wish to copy.

Malcolm Wood

They are great to work with and really delivered on my musical intentions. I've been told they like to celebrate a victory, so this could be an interesting night!Glenn Van Looy

Results:

Championship Section:

Adjudicators: Tom Davoren and Chris King
Test piece: Variations on an Enigma (Philip Sparke)

1. the cooperation band (Dr Glenn Van Looy): 196*
2. Whitburn (Prof Nicholas Childs): 195*
3. Bon-Accord Silver (Adam Cooke): 193
4. Kirkintilloch Kelvin (Mareika Gray): 191
5. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman): 190
6. Kingdom Brass (Thomas Wyss): 188
7. Bathgate (Craig Anderson): 187
8. Dalmellington (Erik Janssen): 186
9. Unison Kinneil (Raymond Tennant): 184
10. Dalkeith & Monktonhall (James Chamberlain): 183