The Milnrow Band rounded off a year of considerable contesting progress as they retained the Besson Scottish Open Championship honours in Perth.

Led by MD Christopher Binns, a high quality rendition of Peter Graham's 'Metropolis 1927' saw the North West ensemble repel the own-choice challenges of 13 cross border rivals to become the first English band to claim back-to-back success at the event.

Complete performance

Although adjudicators Anne Crookston and Glyn Willaims commented that they had enjoyed a contest of contrasting choices and challenges, and, "the controlled sounds in the quiet passages that had singled out the top three bands", it was the "compete performance" with emphasis on "detail and quality of sound" of the winner that shone through to take the £1,250 first prize.

Although there was surprise at the results of some pre-contest favourites, few disagreed that the winner took the honours with a substantive display of ensemble and solo confidence — none more so than that of their 'Best Euphonium' award winner Jacob Hickson.

Great weekend

Reflecting on the latest success of a contesting year that seen a top-six finish at the North West Area, as well as promotion to the Grand Shield and a podium finish at the Dr Martin Contest, Milnrow MD Christopher Binns stated: "Finally home after a great weekend. A fine performance of Peter Graham's 'Metropolis 1927', of which having played it 10 years ago at the Europeans (rather successfully too!) it has been so much fun to revisit and work on again! The result is an added bonus."

The significance of the victory was marked as it was also achieved against two recent British Open contenders, as well as bands they will face at the Grand Shield in Birmingham in May.

The talented musician who is currently studying for his Masters in Orchestral Conducting at the RNCM in Manchester, added: "The Scottish Open is such a well organised and enjoyable contest and provides an opportunity to play substantial works in a fantastic concert hall! Thank you to Scottish Brass Band Association for running another great contest."

Fine effect

The adjudicators also stated that on the whole the choices made by the bands suited their strengths without over exposing weaknesses — something shown to fine effect by the eventual podium finishers of Bon Accord Silver and Dalmellington.

Adam Cooke's engaging reading inspired an evocative ensemble rendition of Simon Dobson's 'Journey of the Lone Wolf' that brought it to dramatic life, whilst individual excellence shone through with Dalmellington's nocturnal trip to Switzerland with Oliver Waespi's, 'Audivi Media Nocte'.

Led by Dutch conductor Erik Janssen, its demanding solo contributions were headed by the '4BR Best Soloist' Joshua Parkhill in trombone as well as a firm foundation footings provided by their 'Best Bass Section'.

No Perth joy for favourites

One of the pre-contest favourites in Hammonds never quite warmed-up from the early chill of a Perth morning as their number 1 performance of 'Harmony Music' under Morgan Griffiths failed to hit title-winning temperature to end fourth ahead of a brace of solid accounts from Easington Colliery led by Graeme Tindall ('Fraternity') and Kirkintilloch Kelvin directed by Mareika Gray ('English Heritage').

Following their recent fine performance at the Albert Hall, much was expected of nine-time winner Whitburn.

However, their rendition of the British Open set-work, 'Star Crossed Lovers' never seemed at ease under Prof Nicholas Childs as they ended in seventh — their worst result at the event since the inaugural event in 2003.

There was also little to celebrate on the journey home for Senior Cup champion Pemberton Old Wigan as they ended eighth with 'Music for Battle Creek', with the final top-ten slots were taken by the brace of 'World Rejoicing' renditions from East London Brass and Kirkintilloch.

Tribute

Before the results were announced Carrie Boax, President of the Scottish Brass Band Association President led a minute's applause to mark the outstanding contribution of SBBA honorary Vice-President Peter Fraser and Treasurer Julie Nicoll who had recently passed away.

it was the "compete performance" with emphasis on "detail and quality of sound" of the winner that shone through to take the £1,250 first prize4BR

Scottish Open — supported by Besson

Adjudicators: Glyn Williams and Anne Crookston

1. Milnrow (Christopher Binns): 196
2. Bon-Accord Silver (Adam Cooke): 195
3. Dalmellington (Erik Janssen): 194
4. Hammonds (Morgan Griffiths): 192
5. Easington Colliery (Graeme Tindall): 191
6. Kirkintilloch Kelvin (Mareika Gray): 190
7. Whitburn (Prof Nicholas Childs): 189
8. Pemberton Old DW (Ryan Watkins): 187
9. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill): 186
10. Kirkintilloch Band (Martyn Ramsay): 185
11. Fishburn (Chris Bentham): 183
12. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman): 182
13. Kingdom Brass (Eoin Tonner): 181
14. Tewit Silver (Martin Hall): 180

4BR Best Soloist: Joshua Parkhill (trombone) — Dalmellington
Best Euphonium: Jacob Hickson (Milnrow)
Best Bass Section: Dalmellington