After a fairly traumatic year of upheaval the Scottish Co-op Band reasserted its dominance over the domestic banding scene at the Perth Concert Hall on the weekend.

Grossly misplaced

In addition, their victory at the Scottish Open also sent a reminder to those south of Hadrian’s Wall that news of their possible demise as a major contesting force after a fairly nondescript year of success were grossly misplaced too.

There were few in the hall or in the bar outside who disagreed with adjudicators Dr Steven Roberts and Chris Wormald decision, after they described their performance from the number 9 draw as ‘commanding’4BR

Commanding

Conducted by Englishman Michael Fowles, the former champions regained the Scottish Open Challenge Trophy and £3,000 first prize for the first time since 2003, with an impressive performance of ‘St. Magnus’ that gave them the title with a clear cut two point winning margin.

There were few in the hall or in the bar outside who disagreed with adjudicators Dr Steven Roberts and Chris Wormald decision, after they described their performance from the number 9 draw as ‘commanding’.

Domestic clean sweep

In what was a domestic clean sweep of the top three podium places, it was Kirkintilloch, conducted by Allan Ramsay who pushed the eventual winners the closest, with a robust performance as the last band of the day. Meanwhile reigning champion, Whitburn, delivered a brave defence of their title to come third after what has been an exhausting contesting period.

The band’s solo euphonium player, Evelyn Bradley took the 4BR ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award for her fine contribution.

Well satisfied

Fishburn, the 2005 champion, couldn’t quite do enough to repeat that victory on ‘St Magnus’ a second time, although they will have been well satisfied by being the best of the five English challengers under Alan Morrison.

Delighted

Also delighted were the members of Bon Accord, who had set the early pace under Norwegian Morten E Hansen, in what turned out to be a contest of two distinct halves, to come fifth.

Sixth place was taken by Camborne after they delivered a solid performance of the test piece under Kevin MacKenzie.

Results:

Scottish Open:

Adjudicators: Dr Stephen Roberts & Chris Wormald
Test Piece: St Magnus, Kenneth Downie

1. Scottish Co-op (Michael Fowles) — 196
2. Kirkintilloch (Alan Ramsay) — 194
3. Whitburn (Andrew Duncan) — 193
4. Fishburn (Alan Morrison) — 192
5. Bon Accord Silver (Morten Hansen) — 191
6. Camborne Town (Kevin MacKenzie) — 190
7. Kingdom Brass (Craig Anderson) — 189
8. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (Richard Evans) — 187
9. Dalmellington (Archie Hutchison) — 186
10. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB (Mark Bentham) — 185
11. Unison Kinneil (Andrew Berryman) — 184
12. Bo'ness & Carriden (Michael Marzella) — 183
13. RMT Easington Colliery (John Roberts) — 181
14. Clackmannan District (Paul Kiernan) — 180

4barsrest Best Instrumentalist:
Evelyn Bradley — Euphonium (Whitburn)

Scottish Challenge Cup

Adjudicators: Kevin Wadsworth & Jason Katsikaris
Test Piece: Own Choice

1. Dalkeith and Monktonhall (James Chamberlain) — 178
2. Renfrew (David Hutcheson) — 175
3. St. David’s Brass (John Dickson) — 173
4. Brass Sounds Inverclyde (Gareth Bowman) — 172
5. Dunfermline (David Neil) — 171
6. Annan Town (APD) (David Shanks) — 170
7. Newlands Concert Brass (Robert Fraser) — 169
8. Bon Accord Silver 'B' (Bruce Wallace) — 168

Scottish Challenge Shield

Adjudicators: Kevin Wadsworth & Jason Katsikaris
Test Piece: Own Choice

1. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan) — 187
2. Bathgate Band (Stephen Baird) — 184
3. Johnstone Silver (Raymond Tennant) — 183
4. Barrhead Burgh (Martyn Ramsay) — 182
5. Campbeltown Brass (Craig Anderson) — 181
6. Lochgelly (Paul Drury) — 180
7. Tullis Russell Mills (John Hinckley) — 179
8. Croy Silver (Kenneth Blackwood) — 178

Scottish Youth Championships:

Novice Section:

Gold Winners: Loanhead Brass Roots (Alan Fernie)
Gold Runner up: Newtongrange Junior Band (Alan Fernie)
Gold: Buckhaven Brass Beginnings (Gordon Evans MBE)
Gold: Dunfermline Youth Brass (Alison Hall)
Gold: Peebles Junior Band (Alan Fernie)
Silver: Kingdom Brass Youth (Lee Bathgate)
Silver: Levern Valley Community Brass (Brian Deans)

Development Section:

Gold Winners: Arbroath Instrumental Youth (Ann Ness)
Gold Runner up: Perthshire Youth Brass (George Annan)
Silver: Abbey Brass Jedforest (Cameron Mabon)
Silver: Inverclyde Schools Brass (David Hutcheson)
Silver: St Ronan's Future Band (David Robb)

Senior Section:

Gold Winners: Carnoustie & District Youth (Michael Robertson)
Gold Runner up: Fife Youth Next Generation (James Chamberlain)
Silver: Dalmellington Junior Band (Ian Taylor)
Silver: Midlothian Schools Brass Band (Andrew Duncan)
Bronze: Perth & Kinross Senior Brass Band (Robert McDonald)
Bronze: Queensferry High School Brass Band (Gareth Ross)

Premier Section:

Gold Winners: West Lothian Schools (Nigel Boddice MBE)
Gold Runner up: Aberdeen City Youth (Eric Kidd)
Gold: Carnoustie & District Youth (Michael Robertson)