Besson Scottish Youth Solo and Ensemble Championships Report
A fine day of music-making took place today at the Howden Park Centre in Livingston where the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) presented the Youth Sections of the 2017 Besson Scottish Solo and Ensemble Championships.
Entrants in all three sections of the day’s contesting came from all parts of Scotland and there was an equally widespread distribution of prizes, winners hailing from Campbeltown and Argyll, Angus, the Scottish Borders and East Ayrshire on a day which saw 33 soloists and 17 ensembles each trying to impress the experienced judging panel of tenor horn soloist Owen Farr and tuba virtuoso Les Neish.
With a scintillating performance of Alexander Goedicke’s Concert Etude, Dalmellington’s cornet player Rebecca Wilson (pictured above) lifted the Scottish Co-op Band Trophy in the Youth Solos with a significant four point gap ahead of nearest challenger Leighton Griffin (Newtongrange) with Dalmellington’s Bb Bass player Paul Jamieson taking third place.
Dalmellington reinforced its dominance of the upper age group as Archie Hutchison guided the Dalmellington Youth Ensemble to a narrow victory in the Youth Ensemble contest, lifting the Clydebank Burgh Band Trophy in the process, with its performance of William Rimmer’s Concordia. Gordon Evans and Campbeltown Senior Ensemble pushed the East Ayrshire outfit all the way with their performance of Simon Kerwin’s arrangement of Luigi Denza’s Funiculì, Funiculà. Adjudicator Owen Farr commented: “This was a very close contest to call and, in the end, it came down to the basics - good ensemble and intonation.” Dalmellington Youth Ensemble were also presented with a sponsor's prize voucher for a Besson BE120 cornet, as were the winners of the Intermediate and Junior Ensembles. In addition, the first three soloists in all three categories were also awarded with a free annual on-line subscription to the British Bandsman magazine.
In the Intermediate Solo contest, a variety of instruments and repertoire made for a most enjoyable afternoon according to both judges who were pleasantly surprised by the standard of musicianship on show from all participants. Impressing them the most in the quest for the Whitburn Band Trophy was Carnoustie High’s baritone player Holly Bennett (pictured below) who set the standard from an early number 2 draw with her performance of Percy Code’s Zelda which remained unsurpassed for the remainder of the contest. Fellow Angus competitor Marcello Rufo came closest to knocking Holly from top spot, the euphonium player coming in second with his rendition of the Geoffrey Brand arrangement of Napoli. St. Ronan’s cornet player Calum Robb snatched 3rd place with his Slavish Fantasy by Carl Höhne while there were also ‘Gold’ awards for Amy Paterson (Campbeltown) and Finlay McGhee (Carnoustie High).
Innerleithen-based St. Ronan’s ‘A’ quartet came out on top in a keenly contested Intermediate Ensemble section, holding off two other ‘Gold’ challenges from Carnoustie ‘B’ and Campbeltown Brass to lift the Bo’ness and Carriden Band Trophy. St. Ronan’s was a confident display which included Mark Goddard’s arrangement of Fucik’s Entry of the Gladiators and Francis Evans’ Rythym on Five, the group’s togetherness and attention to detail finding favour with the adjudicators.
Mention should be made of the sterling contribution to the day’s proceedings from pianist Gina Baker who coped admirably with a wide range of accompaniments to challenge her, especially in the Junior Solos contest where her sympathetic musicianship meant that the youngest participants need only concentrate on their own playing.
Tenor horn player Andrew McMillan (pictured below) from Campbeltown Brass took the Kirkintilloch Band Trophy in first place with his excellent performance of Vincenzo Bellini’s Concerto for Eb Horn with Tullis Russell cornetist Gregor Koziel the runner-up and another Campbeltown youngster, Andrew Colville (Eb Bass), completing the podium. ‘Gold’ awards were also presented to Kyle Paterson (Campbeltown) and Ally Norman (St. Ronan’s) in a contest where each and every competitor was praised for their contribution by Messrs Farr and Neish.
Argyll Brass took the honours in the day’s opening Junior Ensemble contest, lifting the Kinneil Band Trophy with a set that included arrangements of Frère Jacques and Highland Cathedral. Campbeltown Brass ‘A’ came second while there was a ‘Silver’ award and third place for James Young High School.
Summing up the days events, co-adjudicator Les Neish commented: “The general level of playing today was very high and it was great to see so many youngsters performing in front of their peers. They were all a credit to their parents and teachers who can also be very proud of their own contributions. All in all, Owen and I have had a fantastic day; it has been a real privilege being involved.”
It is the turn of the not-so-young crew tomorrow, as the Scottish Open Solo and Ensemble contest takes place at the same venue with an 11.00am start time.
