Riverside Youth players show off their individual talents

Talented young musicians have showcased their skills in the spotlight when Riverside Youth Band held its sixth annual solo competition.

The event took place in Port Glasgow Salvation Army and saw 23 performers across the organisation's youth and training bands, as well as the Riverside Rookies, taking part in a bid to impress adjudicator Caroline Farren, the experienced educator and flugel player of the Whitburn Band.

In the Senior Solos, tenor horn player Andrea Crumlish (Inverclyde Academy) retained her title with her performance of September Fantasy, by Eric Ball. Cornetist Rebecca Marshall (Clydeview Academy) came out on top in the Intermediate Solos following her performance of A Whole New World, while the winner of the Junior Solos was trumpet player Becca Stewart, of St Francis Primary School, who played Light Up the Fire.

The Jack Leitch Memorial Trophy was presented to baritone player Stuart Smith (Aileymill Primary) [cover photo] following his impressive performance of All Night, All Day.

Andrea Crumlish won the Senior Solos class

Reflecting on the event, musical director Mark Good commented: "Riverside Youth Band's latest solo competition was our most successful yet, with impressive playing across the categories.

"Putting your head above the parapet takes courage, and getting on stage to perform a solo in front of their peers was a big step for many of our youngsters - but they did themselves proud. In doing so, they've widened their comfort zone and demonstrated the sort of resilience and determination that will stand them in good stead as they grow into young adults in the years to come."

Riverside's solo competition came in the midst of a busy spell for the organisation, as it recently enjoyed performing in Lyle Kirk, Greenock, as part of the popular Music in Lyle Kirk series. 

Andrea Crumlish, sister Siobhan and fellow member Ash Paton represented the band with pride at the Scottish Youth Solo Championships. 

And this week, several members of the band have joined up with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland for its Easter course in Strathallan School in Perthshire.

Rebecca Marshall came out on top of the Intermediate Solos category

At the end of April, member Mark Gammon, a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, will play with the European Youth Brass Band in Malmö, Sweden, as part of the 2023 European Brass Band Festival.

Duncan Galbraith, Riverside Youth Band chairman, said: "Across the organisation, we're delighted to see our members developing as musicians and as young people. From the experienced members of the Youth Band to our ever-growing Training Band and our stars of tomorrow in the Riverside Rookies, they're all getting to experience the joy of making music together in a safe, nurturing environment."

Riverside Youth Band rehearses in Port Glasgow New Parish Church on Friday afternoons, with more young brass and percussion players welcome to get involved. Contact Duncan: info@riversideyouthband.co.uk or call 07974 106 888.

Becca Stewart won the Junior Solos class

Awards:

Senior Solos:

First: Andrea Crumlish, Gold; Second: Struan Hewitt, Gold; Third: Ash Paton, Gold; Hannah McInnes, Gold; Siobhan Crumlish, Silver; Alex Jamieson, Silver.

Intermediate Solos:

First: Rebecca Marshall, Gold; Second: Logan Nixon, Gold; Third: Kyle Baxter, Gold; Chloe Marshall, Silver; Hannah Martin, Silver; Megan Taylor, Silver.

Junior Solos:

First: Becca Stewart, Gold; Second: Stuart Smith, Gold; Third: Annie Jones, Gold; Sienna Harrison, Silver; Callum McCowan, Silver; Ellie McKibben and Kiahn Nicholas, Bronze; Logan Mitchell, Bronze; Lucy Pelling, Bronze; Jake Sloan, Bronze; Chloe Neate, Bronze.

Winners all... the competitors in the Riverside Youth solo competition