Kirkie take on the Challenge and win – again!

The Kirkintilloch Band retained its Band Supplies Scottish Challenge title at the Perth Concert Hall today with a performance of Edward Gregson’s Of Men and Mountains which caught the ear of adjudicators, fellow trombonists Brett Baker and Alan Widdop.

Masterfully led by Hedley Benson, the band also won the Anthony Hope Memorial Trophy for the best horn section and the best First Section band accolade.

Taking the runner-up spot with its rendition of English Heritage by George Lloyd was Newmilns & Galston, playing off the final spot of the day, under the baton of Alan Friel.

In third place was Bo’ness & Carriden, directed by Chris Bradley, who played Tallis Variations by Philip Sparke.

The best Second Section band was Clackmannan District, conducted by Paul Drury, with another Philip Sparke favourite, Year of the Dragon. Topping the Third Section was Perthshire Brass (Willie McMullan), playing Hollywood! by Goff Richards, and best Fourth Section band was Buckhaven & Methil Miners (Steven Craig) with Alan Fernie’s Music for Jock Tamson.

The 4barsrest prize for the best soloist went to Clackmannan’s solo trombonist and the Paul Dornan Memorial Award for best principal cornet was won by Newmilns & Galston.

In his remarks to an enthusiastic audience, Alan Widdop said he “enjoyed every minute” of the contest. “It has been a superb day,” he commented. “And all the soloists played tremendously well, particularly the solo trombonist in Year of the Dragon!”

In a few words of advice, he said: “Always pick something you can play, don’t panic when you get on stage because that means you play more quickly and then things don’t go so well. Take your time and paint a picture with your music.”

He concluded that he and Brett agreed that “there has been no car crash, although there might have been a few that ran off the road!”

The full of the Scottish Challenge are:

1. The Kirkintilloch Band (Hedley Benson) 191pts

2. Newmilns & Galston (Alan Friel) 190pts

3. Bo’ness & Carriden (Chris Bradley) 188pts

4. Clackmannan District (Paul Drury) 186pts

5. St David's Brass (John A Dickson) 185pts

6. Granite City Brass (Bruce Wallace) 184pts

7. Dunaskin Doon (Ralph Brill) 183pts

8. Johnstone (Joshua Parkhill) 182pts

9. Shotts St Patrick's (Andy Shaw) 181pts

10. Campbeltown Brass (Andrew McMillan) 180pts

11. Regent Brass (Alan Duguid) 179pts

12. Perthshire Brass (Willie McMullan) 178pts

13. Irvine & Dreghorn (Helen Douthwaite Teasdale) 177pts

14. North Lakes Brass (Gareth Sykes) 176pts

15. Dysart Colliery Silver (Robert Fraser) 175pts

16. Buckhaven & Methil Miners (Steven Craig) 174pts

17. Kilmarnock Concert Brass (Rebecca Wilson Paterson) 173pts

18. Dundee Instrumental (Bob McDonald) 172pts

19. Dunfermline City Brass (Stephen Duncan) 171pts

20. Forfar Instrumental (Donald Innes) 170pts

21. Turriff Silver (Matt Bailey) 169pts

Anthony Hope Memorial Trophy for best horn section: Kirkintilloch

Paul Dornan Memorial Award for best principal cornet: Dougie Cameron, Newmilns & Galston

4barsrest award for best soloist: Symon Kelly Hutchinson, solo trombone, Clackmannan District

Best 1st Section band: Kirkintilloch

Best 2nd Section band: Clackmannan District

Best 3rd Section band: Perthshire Brass

Best 4th Section band: Buckhaven & Methil Miners

Adjudicators’ remarks and announcement of the results can be viewed here.