First rounds of solo and ensemble competitions
Sunday 2 February 2025Three area associations held their qualifying competitions for this year’s Scottish Youth Solo and Ensemble Championships yesterday.
The Borders event took place at Teviot Church, Hawick, where the adjudicator was Stephanie Kennedy.
The Northern Counties contest was judged by Chris Shanks and in the West of Scotland the adjudicator was Chris Mansfield.
Congratulations to all those young players who have qualified for the finals which will take place at the Bellshill Salvation Army on Saturday 29 March.
The other area competitions to be held are East of Scotland on Saturday 22 February and Fife Charities Band Association on Sunday 23 March.
The Borders qualifiers were:
Junior – 12 and under
Hattie Spence (trombone)
Vivien Giegerich (cornet)
Eva Murray (cornet)
Harris McNeill (trumpet)
Intermediate – 16 and under
Isla Gillespie (cornet)
Iris Deane (trombone)
Jamie Gillespie (trombone)
James Grassick (euphonium)
Junior Ensemble
St Ronan’s Silver Band A
St Ronan’s Silver Band B
Intermediate Ensemble
Galashiels Youth Band
Hawick Saxhornettes
Youth Ensemble
Iris Deane and William Scott (below with adjudicator Stephanie Kennedy)
Berwickshire High School
The Northern Counties qualifiers were:
Juniors
Thomas Crawford (trombone)
Stacy Donald (euphonium)
Kaitlan Donald (trombone)
Intermediate
Robin Robertson (trombone)
Daniel McDonald (trumpet)
Youth
Louise Andrews (xylophone)

Some of the young participants in the Northern Counties competition
The West of Scotland qualifiers were:
Juniors
Evie Boax (tenor horn)
Hope Hill (Eb bass)
Aaron Arthur (tuba)
Amelie Ralston (cornet)
Intermediate
Ash Paton (cornet)
Charlie Colville (cornet)
David Orr (baritone)
James Barr (euphonium)
Youth
Andrea Crumlish (tenor horn), pictured below with adjudicator Chris Mansfield
Mae Barr (tenor horn)
Lillie McCluskie (tenor horn)
Charlie Boax (baritone)
Youth Ensemble
Campbeltown Brass