Crowning glory for the Katrina and Kingdom Brass partnership

In her first contest with Kingdom Brass, new resident conductor Katrina Marzella Wheeler led the band to its retention of the Fife Charities title on Saturday, taking the honours in two of the three categories in the traditional March, Hymn and Test Piece format in the newly refurbished Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy.

Kingdom Brass’s victory was assured with its outstanding performance of Peter Graham’s Metropolis 1927 and also its rendition of In Perfect Peace.

Adjudicator Russell Gray chose the runner-up programme as that of The Kirkintilloch Band (Hedley Benson) whose march The Australasian took the top spot.

And in third place was Marsden Silver (Andrew Lofthouse) who had travelled up from Yorkshire. The trip was made worthwhile by their qualification for next year’s Spring Festival in Blackpool.

Whitburn solo horn star Andrew McMillan was responsible for selecting the prize winning soloists.

“A great start to my collaboration with Kingdom Brass,” beamed Katrina. “I’m very proud of the players for putting on a fine show, winning their home contest in Fife and retaining ‘The Boiler’. The band was awarded a huge haul of silverware for individual prizes too, with some stunning trophies containing 100 years of banding history in Scotland.”

Kirkintilloch were also “absolutely over the moon” to achieve the runner-up spot and in the process achieving a number of individual player prizes.

“We are delighted with our third place in the contest and our invite back to the Spring Festival in May,” said a spokesperson for Marsden. “Many congratulations to Kingdom Brass and Kirkintilloch for their first and second places.”

The full results of the contest were:

1. Kingdom Brass (K. Marzella Wheeler) 96pts
   2. Kirkintilloch (H. Benson) 94pts
   3. Marsden Silver (A. Lofthouse) 92pts
   4. Kirkintilloch Kelvin (M. Ramsay) 91pts
   5. Annan Town (L Wilkinson) 90pts
   6. Lochgelly (C. Shanks) 89pts
   7. Bathgate (C. Anderson) 88pts
   8. Bo'ness & Carriden (C. Farren) 87pts
   9. Unison Kinneil (J. Parkhill) 86pts
   10. Croy Silver (K. Blackwood) 85pts
   11. Clackmannan District (P. Drury) 84pts
   12. Johnstone (R. Tennant) 83pts
   13. GT Group Peterlee (C. Bentham) 82pts
   14. Dysart Colliery (R. Fraser) 81pts
   15. Buckhaven & Methil Miners (S. Craig) 80.5pts
   16. Bon Accord B (J. Cook) and Dunfermline City Brass (A. Shaw) 80pts

Winning conductor: Katrina Marzella Wheeler
Spring Festival qualifying band: Marsden Silver

Best Fife A band: Kingdom Brass
Best Fife B band: Buckhaven & Methil Miners

Best First Section band: Kirkintilloch
Best Second Section band: Annan Town
Best Third Section band: Croy Silver
Best Fourth Section band: Buckhaven & Methil Miners

Best cornet: Erin McSporran (Kirkintilloch, soprano)
Best horn/flugel: Sarah Findlay (Kingdom Brass)
Best euphonium/baritone: Tom Coen (Kingdom Brass)
Best trombone: Luke Williams (Kirkintilloch)
Best bass section: Andy McKreel, Ross Mercer and Ian Squince (Kirkintilloch)
Best percussion: Kingdom Brass

March:

1. Kirkintilloch
2. Kirkintilloch Kelvin
3. Lochgelly
4. Unison Kinneil
5. GT Group Peterlee
6. Kingdom Brass

7. Annan Town / Marsden Silver

9. Bo’ness & Carriden

10. Bathgate

11. Clackmannan District

12. Croy Silvers

13. Johnstone

14. Dysart Colliery

15. Buckhaven & Methil Miners / Bon Accord B / Dunfermline City Brass

Hymn:
1. Kingdom Brass
2. Kirkintilloch
3. Marsden Silver
4. Kirkintilloch Kelvin
5. Lochgelly
6. Bo'ness & Carriden

7. Bathgate

8. GT Group Peterlee

9. Annan Town

10. Unison Kinneil

11. Dysart Colliery

12. Croy Silver

13. Johnstone

14. Bon Accord B

15. Clackmannan District

16. Buckhaven & Methil Miners / Dunfermline City Brass