Bruce bows out of conducting Granite City Brass with a victory

The first day of the Scottish Brass Band Championships has come to a close with some powerful renditions of Morley Calvert’s Introduction, Elegy and Caprice among the ten bands in the First Section.

Making the judgements on the performances were David Barringer and Mark Wilkinson.

It was Granite City Brass who came out on top, providing a very rewarding swansong for musical director Bruce Wallace. Or will he be back at the helm for when the band takes up its invitation to appear in the National Finals in Cheltenham in September? Watch this space!

The band’s euphonium Lewis Catto won the best instrumentalist prize while Ben Williams was awarded the Thomas Macaulay Memorial Trophy for best horn.

In the runner-up spot was the second qualifier, Newtongrange Silver conducted by Anne Crookston.

Third place was taken by Newmains & District (Paul McKelvie OBE).

Mark Wilkinson said he and David Barringer had had an especially enjoyable afternoon listening to the bands. They had been playing a really good test of music which had included “the things we don’t always like” – quiet playing, high notes and exposed parts.

The qualities they were looking for in particular were tuning, ensemble playing and pitch

“Overall the standard has been really good,” he said, adding congratulations to the euphonium and soprano soloists.

Adjudicator remarks and results were livestreamed and can be viewed here.

The full results are:

1. Granite City Brass (Bruce Wallace) 195pts

2. Newtongrange Silver (Anne Crookston) 194pts

3. Newmains & District (Paul McKelvie OBE) 193pts

4. Newmilns & Galston (Alan Friel) 192pts

5. Kinneil (Allan Ramsay) 191pts

6. Lochgelly (Chris Shanks) 190pts

7. Dalkeith & Monktonhall (James Chamberlain) 188pts

8. Dunaskin Doon (Ralph Brill) 187pts

9. Clackmannan District (Paul Drury) 185pts

10. Johnstone (Joshua Parkhill) 184pts