Talented young musicians from Inverclyde's Riverside Youth Band recently showcased their talents at their ninth annual solo festival.

The event at Port Glasgow Salvation Army headquarters saw more than 20 players take to the rostrum to display their emerging brass and percussion skills in front of a packed audience of family members and supporters.

Accompanist Claire Haslin gave wonderful musical support as the players bid to impress adjudicator Lorne Cowieson.

Winners

The Senior Solo Class was won by trombonist Annie Jones (St Stephen's High) ahead of cornetist Bramble Kane (Notre Dame) with trombonists Cameron Mitchell (Inverclyde Academy) and Scott Smith equal third.

In the Intermediate Solo Class, tuba player Aaron Arthur (Port Glasgow High) took the honours ahead of fellow tuba player Callum McCowan (St Stephen's High) and baritone player Cameron Mitchell.

The Junior Solo Class was won by flugel horn Logan Mitchell (Aileymill Primary) ahead of tenor horn Callum Good (Ardgowan Primary) in second, whilst the Jack Leitch Memorial Trophy for Performing Excellence was presented to Aaron Arthur.

Members of the Riverside Rookies then provided a short performance prior to the results.

Wonderful morning

Reflecting on the event, Riverside Youth Band conductor Mark Good said: "We enjoyed a wonderful morning, with something to enjoy in every single performance — with the youngest performer just six-years-old.

I have huge respect for the commitment and sheer grit involved in bringing a solo performance to the stage and our young musicians demonstrated those qualities in spades."

The solo festival came during a busy period for members of Riverside Youth Band. They recently brought home Platinum and Gold-Plus awards from the Scottish Concert Band Festival.

They also performed a Sunday afternoon concert at Lyle Kirk in Greenock, before members provided music to accompany worship at the Easter Sunrise service in Port Glasgow New Parish Church.

Results:
Senior Class:

1. Annie Jones (Gold)
2. Bramble Kane (Gold)
3= Scott Smith (Silver)
Cameron Mitchell (Silver); Struan Hewitt (Silver); Kirsten Maclean (Silver); Robyn Davidson (Silver)

Intermediate Class:

1. Aaron Arthur (Gold)
2. Callum McCowan (Silver)
3. Cameron Mitchell (Silver)
Logan Nixon (Silver); Isla Anderson (Silver); Sophie Doig (Silver); Stuart Smith (Silver);
Lucy Pelling (Bronze); Sienna Harrison (Bronze); Becca Stewart (Bronze).

Junior Class:

1. Logan Mitchell (Gold)
2. Callum Good (Silver); Daniel Marshall (Silver)
Christian Adams (Bronze)

Jack Leitch Memorial Trophy: Aaron Arthur