Kingdom Brass reign supreme at Fife Charities contest

Kingdom Brass reigned supreme in the Kingdom of Fife yesterday. The Kelty-based band was victorious at the Fife Charities contest and took home a sackful of silverware after its performances of own-choice hymn tune, march and test piece at the Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy.

Playing off the no.9 draw, the band, under the baton of Katrina Marzella Wheeler, wowed adjudicators Steven Sykes and Aileen Orr with its set of the hymn His Provision (Bosenko), test piece Horror Show (Simon Dobson) and march Praise (Heaton).

It was a busy – and highly successful – day for Katrina as she also conducted the cooperation band into the top spots in the march (The Wizard [George Allan]) and hymn tune (Just as I Am [Heaton]), with David Morton taking the band on next weekend’s National Finals test piece Harrison’s Dream (Peter Graham) into second place.

After the announcement of the results, a thrilled Katrina commented: “Delighted with the haul at the contest in Kirkcaldy. It was such a pleasure to be conducting in the performances of two fine bands, the cooperation band and Kingdom Brass.

Kingdom Brass rehearsing its winning performance with Katrina Marzella Wheeler

“Thanks to all the musicians who gave so much on stage and in rehearsals and especially to some sublime soloists. Also to the administrators of both bands, thank you for your work – the unsung heroes of the day.”

She added: “I’m also very grateful to deputy players in both bands who enabled us to take the stage for the day. Bands helping bands!”

Taking overall third place in the contest was Dalkeith & Monktonhall, directed by James Chamberlain, with their renditions of test piece Red Priest (Philip Wilby), hymn Love Unknown (Ireland) and march On the Quarter Deck (K.J Alford). It was a result that secured the band’s qualification for next year’s Spring Festival in Blackpool.

 A short interval concert featured members of FCBA development bands including players from Kingdom Youth, Lochgelly Community, Dysart Development, Tullis Wizards and Cupar Bandits.

The full results of the FCBA 77th Annual Open Contest were:

1. Kingdom Brass (championship), Katrina Marzella Wheeler

2. the cooperation band (ch), David Morton /  Katrina Marzella Wheelrer

3. Dalkeith & Monktonhall (ch), James Chamberlain

4. Bathgate (ch), Craig Anderson

5. Coalburn Silver (ch), Gareth Bowman

6. Granite City Brass (1st section), Gareth Bowman

7. Clackmannan District  (2nd), Paul Drury

8. Dysart Colliery Silver (3rd), Robert Fraser

9. Buckhaven & Methil Miners (4th), Steven Craig

10. Lochgelly (1st), Chris Shanks

11. Tullis Russell Mills (1st), John-Luke Harris

12. Dunfermline City Brass (4th), Stephen Duncan

Solo prizes (adjudicated by Aileen Orr)

Best cornet - Gordon Kyle, soprano (the cooperation band)

Best horn - Chris Hamilton (the cooperation band)

Best euphonium- Chris Flynn (the cooperation band)

Best baritone - Carole Ednie (the cooperation band)

Best trombone - Alex Philip (Kingdom Brass)

Best basses - Dalkeith & Monktonhall

Best percussion - Kingdom Brass

Unsung hero - Clackmannan District timpanist Steven

Best Fife A band - Kingdom Brass

Best Fife B band - Dysart Colliery

Best Non-Fife band - the cooperation band

Best 1st Section band - Granite City Brass

Best 2nd Section band - Clackmannan District

Best 3rd Section band - Dysart Colliery Silver

Best 4th Section band - Buckhaven & Methil Miners