Carnoustie British Youth Band Champions
Results of Premier Section - Carnoustie & District Champions
CARNOUSTIE BRASS BAND IS BEST IN BRITAIN
The Carnoustie and District Youth Brass Band returned from Manchester triumphant this weekend. The band which has only been in existence for four years has climbed its way right to the top of youth Brass Banding, and on Sunday won the top Premier Section at the British Youth Brass Band Championships.
The band has forty one players aged from twelve to twenty however despite the young age range they play to an extremely high standard. Mr. Michael Robertson has been at the heart of the band since its creation in 2008 and has tutored these young musicians and others throughout Angus to such a high level for sixteen years now.
The band's performance on Sunday was outstanding and the two adjudicators, Lynda Nicholson and James Scott, who have both been involved in youth brass banding for many years were full of praise after their performance. Ms. Nicholson in her critique of the band's performance summed up, "A well balanced programme showing off all your strengths (and what strengths!!). Some stunning technical wizardry, but more importantly for me, some expressive playing of the highest order. What a treat."
In November last year the band were crowned Scottish Youth Champions for the second year running and last year won first place in the Advanced Section at the British Championships in Manchester, having achieved second place the year before.
On Friday evening, the band delighted a capacity audience at St. Anne's Church in Carnoustie when they played their repertoire plus other pieces to invited guests, families and the very supportive local residents of Angus. This gave the band the opportunity to allow local people to hear the wizardry mentioned by Ms. Nicholson at first hand, and gave the young players a great send off to Manchester. Lord Lieutenant Georgiana Osborne who has been a fabulous supporter of the band was at the event and talked very highly of the young players.
Each year in Manchester, a prize is given for the best instrumentalist. Eoin Tonner, the principal cornet player with the Carnoustie and District Band has won this title twice before in the Advanced Section of the championships but this year went one better and won the best instrumentalist in the Premier Section. The Carnoustie band is blessed with having several of the top young soloists in the country and having these players spread throughout the various different sections of the band certainly gives it an all round strength.
Pictured is Mr. Robertson with his British Champion band members.
1. Carnoustie and District Youth Band (Michael Robertson) - Gold
2. Northamptonshire Youth Brass Band (Brad Turnbull) - Silver
3. West Lothian Schools Brass Band (Nigel Boddice MBE) - Bronze
Best Instrumentalist: Eoin Tonner, Principal Cornet, Carnousitie and District Youth
