The Open Solo and Ensemble contest on Sunday also provided a great story with former Scottish Solo Champion James Smith making a return to the soloist arena. It was to prove a successful return for James too as he lifted the Scottish Open Solo title with a performance of Webers Last Waltz that really turned the clock back to the glory days. James has been concentrating on conducting and teaching work in recent years but returned to playing earlier this year when he was appointed principal cornet with Kingdom Brass. He made his return to competitive soloist playing at the Fife Championships at the end of January and following a comprehensive victory there decided to return to the Scottish Championships. James’ win was his eighth in total which is a record. He won his first Scottish Soloist title in 1968 at the tender age of 16 and his latest victory comes 40 years later. James may be a little old for the label of “the comeback kid” but he has certainly shown that he has lost none of the old magic and it is great to see him back at the top.
Young Richard Kidd recovered from a below par performance, by his high standards, in the qualifying round to take second place overall. Up and coming Eb Bass star Ross Knight ensured that Carnoustie were represented again in the frame by claiming third spot. Former YBS top man Ian Culross finished in fourth place with Dalmellingtons Alison O’Donnell and Charlie Farren of Scottish Co-op completing the final six lineup.
In the Open Ensembles contest Kingdom Brass retained their title ahead of trombone quartettes from Whitburn and their own colleagues from Kingdom Brass in second and third respectively. Campbeltown Brass did enough to finish in fourth place ahead of Bathgate in fifth.
It was pleasing to note that this years Open Championships were again well attended. The number of entries in the Open Solos was a very respectable 24 competitors. If improvement could be made it would perhaps be in the Open ensembles where there were only five entrants. Whilst maybe short in numbers it must be said that all of those entrants were of a high standard.
The SBBA would like to pass on its grateful thanks to everyone who helped make this years Championships a success. Special thanks go to the accompanists over both days and also to Besson who generously supported this years contest. Our congratulations go to the winners in every section and our thanks to all of the competitors for their valuable contribution to the weekend.
No |
Name | Draw |
Points |
Award |
1 |
James Smith | 5 |
95 |
1 |
6 |
Richard Kidd | 4 |
94 |
2 |
5 |
Ross Knight | 2 |
92 |
3 |
3 |
Ian Culross | 1 |
90 |
4 |
4 |
Alison O'Donnell | 6 |
89 |
5 |
2 |
Charlie Farren | 3 |
88 |
6 |
No |
Name | Instrument | Band/School | Draw |
Points |
Award |
14 |
James Smith | Cornet | Kingdom Brass | 7 |
97 |
1 |
26 |
Ian Culross | Cornet | 4 |
95 |
2= |
|
27 |
Charlie Farren | Trombone | Scottish Co-op | 24 |
95 |
2= |
6 |
Ross Knight | Eb Bass | Carnoustie High School | 2 |
93 |
3= |
11 |
Alison O’Donnell | Baritone | Dalmellington Band | 15 |
93 |
3= |
2 |
Richard Kidd | Euphonium | Bon Accord | 19 |
92 |
4 |
5 |
Ailsa Russell | Horn | Carnoustie High School | 3 |
91 |
5 |
10 |
David McKellar | Euphonium | Dalmellington Band | 14 |
90 |
6= |
28 |
Scott Findlater | Euphonium | 21 |
90 |
6= |
|
7 |
Joe Walters | Trombone | Carnoustie High School | 1 |
89 |
7= |
22 |
Graham Fraser | Eb Bass | Whitburn | 11 |
89 |
7= |
24 |
Gordon McDougall | Bass Trombone | Whitburn | 16 |
89 |
7= |
15 |
Craig Herriot | Euphonium | Kingdom Brass | 9 |
88 |
8= |
17 |
Alison Hall | Horn | Kingdom Brass | 17 |
88 |
8= |
18 |
Mark McLauchlin | Cornet | Kingdom Brass | 22 |
88 |
8= |
16 |
Lee Bathgate | Cornet | Kingdom Brass | 5 |
87 |
9= |
21 |
Lauren Robb | Cornet | Unison Kinneil | 20 |
87 |
9= |
4 |
Mark Good | Bass Trombone | Campbeltown | 23 |
86 |
10= |
9 |
Sandy McCulloch | Cornet | Dalmellington Band | 10 |
86 |
10= |
12 |
Christopher Dale | Horn | Dalmellington Band | 12 |
86 |
10= |
23 |
Gary Kennedy | Trombone | Whitburn | 13 |
86 |
10= |
1 |
Anna Conway | Cornet | Bathgate | 6 |
85 |
11= |
8 |
Ian Taylor | Bass | Dalmellington Band | 18 |
85 |
11= |
13 |
John Kirk | Cornet | Jedforest Instrumental | 8 |
83 |
12 |
No |
Band | Draw |
Points |
Award |
3 |
Kingdom Brass (Mixed) | 3 |
98 |
1 |
5 |
Whitburn (Trombone Quartet) | 1 |
97 |
2 |
4 |
Kingdom Brass (Trombones) | 2 |
89 |
3 |
2 |
Campbeltown Brass | 5 |
88 |
4 |
1 |
Bathgate Brass | 4 |
87 |
5 |