ROSS, Best Tuba in Europe
Katrina Marzelle 2nd in European Solo Competition & Best Tuba, Ross Knight
ROSS IS TOP TUBA
Seventeen year old Ross Knight from Carnoustie has been in Linz, Austria for the past three days competing in the European Brass and Percussion Solo Championships. Ross entered a field of fifty three competitors who battled it out for the title of European Solo Champion in the famous Bruckner Hall.
He faced extremely stiff competition playing against the best soloists in Europe. Representatives from Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Uzbekistan, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Hungary, Lithuania, England, Italy and Poland had to prepare four pre-selected pieces and compete on a knock out basis over a four day period.
Ross made it to the third day of competition when he competed in the semi final with 15 other soloists. Only three of the sixteen were selected to play in the final but unfortunately Ross didn't make it through. The three finalists were Katrina Marzella (Scotland), Harmen Vanhoorne (Belgium) and Glenn Van Looy (Belgium) with the competition eventually being won by Van Looy.
There were awards for the best soloist on each instrument. Of the fifty three competitors who started off on Monday, ten were tuba players. Four of the tuba players made it to the semi final with Ross coming out on top and winning the best tuba player award in the Championships.
This is a fantastic achievement for Ross, who at such a young age, is holding his own against much older competitors and some seasoned professionals.
The local support for Ross has been fantastic with him receiving many good luck messages on his facebook account in Linz. Ross said, "I have loved being involved in the championships and competing against the top players in Europe. I have also made some fantastic friends and contacts whilst out here in Austria. I would like to thank the Scottish Brass Band Association for inviting me to take part in such a prestigious competition and part funding my trip. I would have loved to have made it to the final three but gaining the experience has been fantastic and the three finalists are outstanding players."
Prior to going to Linz, Ross received several donations to assist him in his trip and thanks have to go to the Arbroath Instrumental Band, The Rotary Clubs of Carnoustie and Arbroath, Carnoustie High School, The Royal British Legion (Arbroath Branch), Lodge Dalhousie, and the William Coull Anderson Trust for their generous support.
In February this year Ross was crowned Scottish Solo Champion which won him the invitation to go on and represent Scotland in the European Solo Championships.
Katrina played brillant in the final and just missed out on that top prize.
