Riverside youngsters go for gold at solo festival

Talented young Inverclyde musicians shone in the spotlight as they took to the stage for Riverside Youth Band's solo festival.

Some 23 soloists performed as part of the event, which took place in Port Glasgow Salvation Army, playing to proud parents and supporters.

Offering feedback was adjudicator Ross Bahlaj, principal trombonist of the renowned the cooperation band, and the accompanist was Claire Haslin. Prior to the results, Ross entertained the enthusiastic audience with a rendition of Bolivar (Eric Cook) and the Riverside Rookies took to the stage too.

Retaining the Senior Solo title was cornet player Ash Paton (Park Mains) [pictured below with Ross Bahlaj] with her performance of Napoli, ahead of trombonist Struan Hewitt (Gryffe High) in second. Ash also retained the Jack Leitch Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Performance.

In the Intermediate Solos, cornetist Bramble Kane (Notre Dame) was first after her rendition of Ragamuffin, ahead of fellow cornet player Sienna Harrison (Inverclyde Academy) in second and tuba player Callum McCowan (St Stephen's) in third.

The Junior category was won by tuba player Jessica Sloan (St Patrick's) playing Dance of the Mirlitons [cover photo], with cornet player Becca Stewart (St Stephen's) in second and xylophone player Caragh Doig (Inverclyde Academy) in third.

Mark Good, musical director of Riverside Youth Band, commented: "Playing a solo requires perseverance and determination, and members of Riverside Youth Band demonstrated those qualities - and many more - with their wonderful performances.

"The environment was a relaxed and supportive one, with a great turn-out from parents and supporters, and performers listening to each other and cheering each other on."

The solo festival rounded off a busy period for Riverside Youth Band, coming one week after a successful Sunday afternoon concert in Lyle Kirk and hot on the heels of a Gold Award at the Scottish Concert Band Festival national finals.

The week also saw a handful of members at Strathallan School for the Easter course of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland.

Riverside Youth Band rehearses in Port Glasgow New Parish Church on Friday afternoons, with more young brass and percussion players welcome to get involved. Contact Duncan at info@riversideyouthband.co.uk or call 07974 106 888.

All the participants in the 2025 Riverside Youth Band solo festival

FULL RESULTS: 

Senior solos: 1) Ash Paton, cornet, Gold; 2) Struan Hewitt, trombone, Silver; Scott Smith, bass trombone, Silver; Kisten Maclean, xylophone, Bronze.

Intermediate solos: 1) Bramble Kane, cornet, Gold; 2) Sienna Harrison, cornet, Gold; 3) Callum McCowan, tuba, Gold; Graham Davidson, cornet, Gold: Aaron Arthur, tuba, Gold; Logan Nixon, trombone, Silver; Chrystal Campbell, cornet, Silver; Jake Sloan, trombone, Silver; Stuart Smith, baritone, Silver; Annie Jones, trombone, Silver; Cameron Mitchell, trombone, Silver; Sophie Doig, trombone, Bronze; Daniel Marshall, trombone, Bronze; Lucy Pelling, cornet, Bronze.

Junior solos: 1) Jessica Sloan, tuba, Gold; 2) Becca Stewart, cornet, Silver; 3) Caragh Doig, xylophone, Silver; Logan Mitchell, flugelhorn, Silver; Ellie McKibben, cornet, Bronze.