Renfrew Burgh demonstrate ‘bouncebackability’ to win Third Section
Saturday 8 March 2025The Third Section has finished and it’s Renfrew Burgh Band who have come out on top with their rendition of Jacob de Haan’s Arkansas.
And what a day for flugel players it is turning out to be as the band’s Shona Jones took the best instrumentalist prize!
It was musical director Mark Good and his band’s interpretation of the western-style music that adjudicators Stan Lippeatt and Alan Fernie took to the most. It was a most satisfying result as the band had dropped from the Second Section last year.
St Ronan’s Silver Band, led by Michael Marzella and playing off the no.1 spot, set the benchmark and took the runner-up position.
Both bands will receive an invitation to take part in the National Finals in Cheltenham on 13/14 September.
In third place was Highland Brass, conducted by Mark Bell.
Both Alan Fernie and Stan Lippeatt, in their summing up at the end the section, agreed that they had thoroughly enjoyed all performances of a “beautifully written” piece.
Alan commented: “You know when players are all going to start the music together when you hear a huge intake of breath! And here’s a big-up to all repiano players – that is if they all played the solo part!”
And Stan added a similar compliment to the flugel players.
You can see the livestream of the Third Section remarks and results here.
Here are the full results:
1. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good) 190pts
2. St Ronan’s Silver (Michael Marzella) 188pts
3. Highland Brass (Mark Bell) 186pts
4. Langholm Town (Chris Bradley) 184pts
5. Peebles Burgh (David McAuley) 183pts
6. Selkirk Silver (Stuart Black) 182pts
7. Brass Sounds Inverclyde (Alistair Gibson) 181pts
8. Dysart Colliery (Robert Fraser) 180pts
9. Buckhaven & Methil Miners (Steven Craig) 179pts
10. Bon-Accord B (Harry Marshall) 178pts
