Bathgate win Scottish Challenge Shield with a masterly performance

The first Band Supplies Scottish Challenge contest to be completely free of the fetters of Covid restrictions in three years proved to be a celebration of brass musicianship which thoroughly delighted adjudicators Sandy Smith and Alan Fernie today.

Both judges – in their end-of-competition remarks to an eager audience in Perth Concert Hall – praised not only the 20 band performances but also the musical directors for their choice of test pieces.

In the end, however, it was Bathgate’s rendition of Philip Wilby’s A Lowry Sketchbook under the masterly direction of Craig Anderson which caught the ear of Sandy and Alan and they awarded the band the top spot and the Scottish Challenge Shield.

Taking second place – and the aptly named Bo’ness Fair Bowl – was Bo’ness & Carriden, conducted by Charlie Farren, for its performance of Trittico by James Curnow, followed by Newmilns & Galston (Alan Friel) playing the same choice of music, taking home the SBBA Challenge Trophy.

“We enjoyed all the performances,” said Alan, “and it was a big plus to the conductors who in the main chose well in their test pieces to get the best out of their players.”

But he did add that he would have liked bands to “take a bit more time on the ball” instead of rushing towards the end of the music. “The bar will still be open when you’ve finished!” he said.

Sandy commented that all the bands were impressive. “There was a time when bands would attempt pieces that were beyond them and try to bully their way into the prizes, but the penny has now dropped. And one of the most impressive things today was the number of bands who were desperately trying to play softly.

“It’s been a really enjoyable day with a great list of pieces played.”

Before the awarding of the prizes, Ronnie and Ann Tennant of Band Supplies, the contest’s main sponsor, were recognised by SBBA president Carrie Boax for celebrating 40 years in business and thanked for all the work they continue to do to support Scottish banding.

Here are the full results:

1. Bathgate (Craig Anderson) 193pts

2. Bo’ness & Carriden (Charlie Farren) 191pts

3. Newmilns & Galston  (Alan Friel) 190pts

4. Dunaskin Doon (Paul Drury) 189pts

5. Clackmannan District (Ross Brotherston) 188pts

6. Coalburn Silver (Paul McKelvie OBE) 187pts

7. Granite City Brass (Bruce Wallace) 186pts

8. Newmains & District (Michael Marzella) 185pts

9. Lochgelly (Chris Shanks) 184pts

10. Annan Town (David McLeod) 183pts

11. Dysart Colliery (Kenny Letham) 182pts

12. St David’s Brass (John A Dickson) 181pts

13. Whitburn Heartlands (Stephen Duncan) 180pts

14. Brass Sounds Inverclyde (Joshua Parkhill) 179pts

15. Perthshire Brass (Willie McMullan) 178pts

16. Kirkton Brass Bathgate (Simon Railton) 177pts

17. Highland Brass (Mark Bell) 176pts

18. Shotts St Patrick’s (Andrew Shaw) 175pts

19. Coalburn Intermediate (David Fehilly) 174pts

20. Buckhaven & Methil Miners (Steven Craig) 173pts

Anthony Hope Memorial Trophy for best horn section: Rachel Carmichael, Nicola Henderson, Catriona Squires and Blair Collins, Coalburn Silver

Paul Dornan Memorial Award for best principal cornet: George Doherty, Bathgate

4barsrest award for best soloist: Blair Collins, flugel, Coalburn Silver

Best 1st Section band: Bathgate

Best 2nd Section band: Clackmannan District

Best 3rd Section band: Dysart Collery

Best 4th Section band: Brass Sounds Inverclyde

More photographs to follow

The second half of the Scottish Festival of Brass continues in two weeks time with the Scottish Open, supported by Besson, on Saturday 26 November and the Scottish Youth Championships on Sunday 27 November in Perth Concert Hall.