Dunaskin Doon's delight

Brian Mackie (guesting from Dalmellington Band), Ross McKnight, David Gallagher and Murray Hendrie picked up the award for best basses.

SCOTTISH bands continue to perform well on their travels after Dunaskin Doon Band came third in its section at Brass at the Guild.

The Ayrshire outfit also returned home with the award for the best bass section following the contest in Preston on Sunday, January 24.

Conducted by Musical Director Gary Williams, Dunaskin Doon impressed adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth with its performance of Philip Harper's The Mermaid of Zennor in the second section and completed the podium places behind Frickley South Elmsall and Pemberton Old Wigan DW B Band.

Competing bands had the opportunity of playing the piece ahead of its use as the set work for the 2016 Regional Championships, or Fire in the Blood by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, which had been used at the Butlin's contest the previous weekend.

Fiona Waddington, solo euphonium player and assistant secretary of Dunaskin Doon Band, said: "Gary and the band have worked extremely hard since coming back after Christmas to turn the upcoming Regionals test piece around in time for this contest. To finish third in such a strong field shows just what the band is capable of when everything comes together. 

"The contest is very well organised and we always get an especially warm welcome, being the only Scottish band which makes the trip down to Preston."

Fiona continued: "Bringing home two trophies was a very pleasant surprise as the test piece is still a work in progress. Our lads in the bass section were deservedly thrilled with their Best Basses award and you can be sure they'll not let the rest of the band forget their achievement any time soon."