Success for Scottish bands at National Finals
SCOTLAND'S bands fared well at the National Brass Band Championships after returning with a host of top-six finishes.
The event saw eight bands travel south to take part on September 19 and 20 at the Centaur in Cheltenham after qualifying during the Scottish Championships in March.
Two of the highest placings were achieved by Newtongrange Silver, conducted by Lee Skipsey, and Whitburn Heartlands, under the baton of Robert Fraser, as both finished in fourth place in the first and fourth sections respectively. Unison Kinneil Band, conducted by Craig Anderson, achieved fifth place in the first section while Renfrew Burgh Band, conducted by Mark Good, came in sixth place in the third section event.
Scottish bands will again compete for the right to be called champions of Great Britain when Co-operative Funeralcare and Whitburn bands travel to the Royal Albert Hall for the championship section competition on October 10.
First section
Test Piece: The Alchymist's Journal | Kenneth Hesketh
Adjudicators: Paul Holland and Dr Roger Webster
1. Goodwick (Matthew Jenkins)
2. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Nigel Seaman)
3. Roberts Bakery (Simon Stonehouse)
4. Newtongrange Silver (Lee Skipsey)
5. Unison Kinneil (Craig Anderson)
6. Haverhill (Mark Ager)
7. Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (David Hirst)
8. Roche Brass (Tom Davoren)
9. Westoe (Huw Thomas)
10. Freckleton (Paul Dalton)
11. Kirkbymoorside Town (John Woodward)
12. Gresley Colliery (Simon Jones)
13. Shirley Band (David Bishop-Rowe)
14. Jackfield Elcock Reisen (Simon Platford)
15. Fulham (John Ward)
16. Strata Brass (Derek Renshaw)
17. Yeovil Town (David Hayward)
Best Instrumentalist: Luke Jenkins (Principal Cornet) - Goodwick Brass
Second section
Test Piece: The Snaring of the Sun | Stephen Roberts
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston and David Hirst
1. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter)
2. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
3. Deiniolen (Lois Eifion Jones)
4. Carlton Brass (Paul Watson)
5. Wotton under Edge & District (Ian Dickinson)
6. Old Silkstone (Sam Fisher)
7. Rushden Town (Adele Hudson)
8. A W Parker (Drybrook) (Joshua Ruck)
9. Colchester Band (David Maddocks)
10. Lockwood Brass (John Roberts)
11. Tyldesley (Robert Taylor)
12. Croy Silver (Kenneth Blackwood)
13. Chapeltown (Andrew Dennis)
14. Jedforest Instrumental (Phil Rosier)
15. NASUWT Concert (Andrew Hunter)
16. Yiewsley & West Drayton (Christopher Cole)
Best Instrumentalist: David Meredith (Eb Bass) - Ebbw Valley
Third section
Test Piece: The Graces of Love | Oliver Waespi
Adjudicators: John Maines and Kevin Wadsworth
1. Houghton Brass (Tom Gibson)
2. Camborne Junior Contesting (Alan Pope)
3. Ifton Colliery (Wayne Ruston)
4. Hucknall & Linby MC Brass (Paul Whyley)
5. Horbury Victoria (Duncan Beckley)
6. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good)
7. Old Hall Brass (John North)
8. Irvine & Dreghorn (Helen Douthwaite)
9. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs)
10. Foss Dyke (Simon Oates)
11. Rhyl Silver (Keith Jones)
12. Dunston Silver (Aidan Hodgson)
13. Soundhouse Brass (Steve Sykes)
14. BAE Systems (Jonathan Crowhurst)
15. Boarshurst Silver (James Garlick)
16. Cold Ash Brass (Jemma Evans)
17. Slaithwaite (Rob Westacott)
18. Littleborough Public (Adrian Woodhead)
Best Instrumentalist: James Wright (Euphonium) - Houghton Brass
Fourth section
Test Piece: Visions | Dan Price
Adjudicators: John Doyle and Glyn Williams
1. Usk (Jeff Jones)
2. BD1 Brass (Lee Skipsey)
3. Bearpark & Esh Colliery (Tim Oldroyd)
4. Whitburn Heartlands (Robert Fraser)
5. City of Norwich (Andy Craze)
6. Porthywaen Silver (Dougie Graham)
7. Skelmersdale Prize (Karl Stott)
8. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn)
9. Formby (Louise Hough)
10. MacTaggart Scott (Kenny Letham)
11. Castleton Brass (Peter Ryan)
12. Oughtibridge (Gavin Somerset)
13. Porthleven Town (Tom Bassett)
14. Knaresborough Silver (Steve Morland)
15. Abertillery Youth & District (Joshua Ruck)
16. East Coast Brass (Paul Speed)
17. Cubbington Silver (Mark Philips)
18. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Geoff Benson)
19. Totnes (Alan Wilmott)
Best Instrumentalist: John Hudson (flugel) - Bearpark & Esh Colliery
