Milnrow recapture the Scottish Open title in a scintillating battle of the bands

Yesterday’s weather was much kinder to travelling bands this year after the snow-delayed start to the second weekend of the 2024 Scottish Festival of Brass. And the temperature in the Perth Concert Hall was warm and welcoming as the Scottish Open, supported by Besson, got under way with the Hammonds Band’s rendition of Harmony Music by Philip Sparke.

What followed was six hours of scintillating brass music from 14 championship section bands  – seven from Scotland and seven from England – who were competing at the highest level of contesting.

Performing their own choice of test piece, the bands were assessed by adjudicators Glyn Williams and Anne Crookston who had the difficult task of making the fine judgements required to determine their podium placings and beyond.

And it was Milnrow, once again, who took the top honours, successfully defending the title the band won 12 months ago. Playing off the no.10 spot, the band’s rendition of Peter Graham’s Metropolis 1927, skilfully directed by Christopher Binns, impressed the adjudicators the most.

Hot on their heels, just one point behind, was Bon-Accord Silver, conducted by Adam Cooke, with its performance of Journey of the Lone Wolf by Simon Dobson. And in third place was Dalmellington (Erik Janssen), playing Audivi Media Nocte by Oliver Waespi.

Before they addressed an expectant audience at the end of the day, Scottish Brass Band Association president Carrie Boax led a minute’s applause for the organisation’s honorary vice president Peter Fraser and treasurer Julie Nicoll who had both passed away in the space of two days earlier this month.

Glyn Williams said both he and Anne had listened to 14 great performances and they congratulated all the bands on their hard work in preparing for the contest. But, he added, there were three outstanding performances, stressing the need for accuracy in executing the detail in the music.

It was the controlled sounds in the quiet passages that had singled out the top three bands, he said.

Congratulating all day’s soloists, he said it had been an absolute joy to have adjudicated the event.

Anne Crookston echoed Glyn’s sentiments, commenting that in an own-choice contest, it was important to get the balance right between what the band can play and what can challenge the players. On the whole, she said, the choices suited the bands.

It was a “complete performance” which determined the winning band through its detail and quality of sound.

“The whole day has not felt like a long day,” she added. “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the contest has been a real joy.”

The full results of the Scottish Open are:

1. Milnrow (Christopher Binns) – Metropolis 1927 (Peter Graham) 196pts

2. Bon-Accord Silver (Adam Cooke) – Journey of the Lone Wolf (Simon Dobson) 195pts

3. Dalmellington (Erik Janssen) – Audivi Media Nocte (Oliver Waespi) 194pts

4. Hammonds (Morgan Griffiths) – Harmony Music (Philip Sparke) 192pts

5. Easington Colliery (Graeme Tindall) – Fraternity (Thierry Deleruyelle) 191pts

6. Kirkintilloch Kelvin (Mareika Gray) – English Heritage (George Lloyd) 190pts

7. Whitburn (Prof Nicholas Childs) – Star Crossed Lovers (Stephen Roberts) 189pts

8. Pemberton Old DW (Ryan Watkins) – Music for Battle Creek (Philip Sparke) 187pts

9. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill) – The World Rejoicing (Edward Gregson) 186pts

10. The Kirkintilloch Band (Martyn Ramsay) – The World Rejoicing (Edward Gregson) 185pts

11. Fishburn (Chris Bentham) – Paganini Variations (Philip Wilby) 183pts

12. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman) – Essence of Time (Peter Graham) 182pts

13. Kingdom Brass (Eoin Tonner) – On the Shoulders of Giants (Peter Graham) 181pts

14. Tewit Silver (Martin Hall) – Dances and Alleluias (Philip Sparke) 180pts

Ken Ramsay Memorial Trophy for the best bass section: Dalmellington

Neil Philip Memorial Trophy for the best euphonium: Jacob Hickson, Milnrow

4barsrest Award for the best soloist: Joshua Parkhill, Dalmellington