Newly promoted Perthshire Brass take the Second Section title

A mild spring day in Perth today as the 129th Scottish Brass Band Championships get under way in the Fair City’s magnificent concert hall – and it was newly promoted Perthshire Brass who took the first honours of the event.

Conducted by Willie McMullan off the number one spot, the band’s performance of Friendly Takeover by Oliver Waespi was the one which found favour with adjudicators David Barringer and Mark Wilkinson.

And it was the second band to take to the stage, Jedforest Instrumental (Philip Rosier), which took the runner-up spot with flugel player Stuart Black earning the best instrumentalist prize for his blissful rendition of the test piece’s flugel solo.

Both bands have now qualified for invitations to the National Finals in Cheltenham on  13/14 September.

In third place was Irvine & Dreghorn Brass (Helen Douthwaite Teasdale) off a no.10 draw.

In his adjudicator’s remarks, David Barringer commented that set piece wasn’t without its challenges, and he read from the publisher’s notes which gave clues as to the style the music was to be played.

He added: “I’m sure that the bands will have enjoyed this piece and have taken something away from the day.

The adjudicator’s comments and results were livestreamed here.

The full results are:

1. Perthshire Brass (Willie McMullan) 194pts

2. Jedforest Instrumental (Philip Rosier) 192pts

3. Irvine & Dreghorn Brass (Helen Douthwaite Teasdale) 191pts

4. Croy Silver (Kenneth Blackwood) 190pts

5. Campbeltown Brass (Andrew McMillan) 188pts

6. Broxburn & Livingston (Bryan Allen) 186pts

7. Annan Town (Lewis Wilkinson) 185pts

8. Shotts St Patrick’s (Charlie Farren) 184pts

9. St David’s Brass (John A Dickson) 183pts

10. Tullis Russell Mills (John-Luke Harris) 182pts

11. Kilmarnock Concert Brass (Rebecca Wilson Paterson) 181pts