Kirkbymoorside Band recently hosted its Solo & Ensemble Competition which saw a fantastic entry of performers aged from 7 to 87 from across the region.

The day was judged by the popular composer Alan Fernie who travelled down from Scotland to enjoy every performance. He later said: "I was absolutely knocked out by both the level and quality of activity, and enthusiasm shown by all."

Welcoming day

Another was Richard Wilton, MD of the Shepherd Group Band who added: "We were delighted to be able to enter our quartet and support our friends at Kirkbymoorside. We cannot wait for next year where we will return with hopefully some of our young soloists and more of our ensembles, to support what was a fantastic, welcoming day of music making."

The music on show encompassed classical arrangements from 'Swan Lake' to James Bond, ABBA hits to American jazz classics and plenty great old solos.

The event was sponsored by the instrument makers Smith-Watkins.

Delighted

Speaking about the day, contest organiser Jeanette Kendall told 4BR: "We were so delighted. It was great to welcome so many players from different bands all of whom played brilliantly and were so encouraging to each other.

A huge thanks to all the helpers and volunteers, our house accompanist Mr Moxon, our brilliant sponsor Smith-Watkins, the traders and especially Alan Fernie.

We will be holding the 2025 competition this time next year, and we hope to make it even bigger and better."

We will be holding the 2025 competition this time next year, and we hope to make it even bigger and betterorganisers

Results:
Year 2 to 4:

1. Ted McCulloch (Malton White Star Band)
2. Elsie Bayes (Kirkbymoorside Development Band)
3. Josie Martin (Kirkbymoorside Development Band)

Year 5 to 6:

1. Callum Cawood (Kirkbymoorside Youth Band)
2. Katie Nersessian (Stape Silver Band)
3. Thomas Green (Malton White Star Band)

Primary Ensembles:

Winners: Thomas Green & Ted McCulloch (Malton White Star Band)

Year 7 to 8:

1. Stanley Thexton (Kirkbymoorside Youth Band)
2. James Lawson (Kirkbymoorside Youth Band)
3. Bert Smailes (Kirkbymoorside Youth Band)

Year 9 to 10:

1. Lottie Robson (Kirkbymoorside Youth Band)
2. Henry Hall (Kirkbymoorside Development Band)
3. Emily Cansick (Kirkbymoorside Youth Band / Stape Silver Band)

Secondary Ensembles:

1. Anna Screeton, Taliah Gowing, Emily Cansick (Kirkbymoorside Youth Band and Stape Silver)
2. Stanley Thexton, Triston Clough (Kirkbymoorside Youth Band)
3. Neve Kendall, Connie Moxon (Kirkbymoorside Youth Band)

Smith Watkins Award for Young Player of the Day:

Primary: Ted McCulloch (Malton White Star Band)
Secondary: Isobel Robinson (Royal British Legion Band (Thirsk))

Year 11 to 13:

1. Charlie Moxon (Kirkbymoorside Senior Band)
2. Connie Moxon (Kirkbymoorside Senior Band)
3. William Ainger (Kirkbymoorside Senior Band)

Veterans:

Winner: Anita Bartram (Kirkbymoorside Community Band)

Open Solos:

1. Rory Towler (Kirkbymoorside Senior Band)
2. Emma Smailes (Kirkbymoorside Senior Band)
3. Pip Williamson (Kirkbymoorside Senior Band)

Open Ensembles:

1. Scott Dawson, Michael Pratt, Richard Wilton, Craig Brown (Shepherd Group Brass Band)
2. Emma Smailes, Sarah Woodward, Jeanette Kendall, Annabel Kent (Kirkbymoorside Senior Band)
3. Pip Williamson, George Larson, Annabel Kent (Kirkbymoorside Senior Band)