Kirkintilloch take the top award at West of Scotland entertainment contest

Congratulations to The Kirkintilloch Band on winning the West of Scotland entertainment contest in Troon, South Ayrshire, today.

The Championship section band notched up 193 points for its programme of music which celebrated dance through the ages. Under the baton of Martyn Ramsay, the band started its performance with Elgar Howarth’s Agincourt Song, followed by Bryan Allen’s arrangement of the Duke Ellington classic Caravan.

Travelling to Argentina, the Leigh Baker arrangement of Libertango by Astor Piazzolla continued the upbeat theme before the mood changed for Camille Saint-Saen’s The Swan, arranged as a tenor horn solo by Stephen Roberts. This was a virtuoso rendition by Allan Wardrope which earned him the best soloist award.

Dimitri Shostakovich’s exhilarating Folk Dances led into the band’s finale of the Arabic-inspired Dancing on the Sand by Etienne Crausaz.

The band’s lower brass won the award for the best bass section.

Kirkintilloch receive the William Beardmore Shield and the Renfrew 600 Cup for winning the West of Scotland entertainment contest

Taking the runner-up spot was Dalmellington, directed by Ralph Brill, on 190 points and completing the podium finishes was Coalburn Silver, conducted by Gareth Bowman, on 189 points.

Dalmellington Band took the runner-up spot

It was also a good day for Irvine & Dreghorn Brass, winning the best Second section band prize, together with most entertaining performance award, as judged by Vanessa Baker, and the best principal cornet medal for Lynsay Dunn.

Contest adjudicator Leigh Baker commented on what a fabulous contest he had just witnessed. “The standard of playing has been very high,” he remarked. “Some very big pieces have been chosen today and there have been some exciting performances.”

He did add that some band accompaniments to their soloists needed to be more sensitively played.

“Today there has been a clear winner with the second and third places fairly clear,” he concluded.

Scottish Brass Band Association president Carrie Boax took the opportunity of the contest to ask the audience to continue reminding their politicians that music matters. “I need your help to spread the word that music is an inclusive activity and is an important part of everyday life,” she said. “And as such it should be properly funded.”

Coalburn Silver took third place

 The full results of the contest are:

1. The Kirkintilloch Band (Martyn Ramsay) 193pts

2. Dalmellington (Ralph Brill) 190pts

3. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman) 189pts

4. Unite Scotland Kinneil (Paul Drury) 188pts

5. Irvine & Dreghorn Brass (Joshua Parkhill) 187pts

6. Dunaskin Doon (Chris Bradley) 185pts

7. Johnstone (Raymond Tennant) 184pts

8. Newmilns & Galston (Alan Friel) 180pts

9. Broxburn & Livingston (Caroline Farren) 179pts

10. Newmains & District (Robert W Fraser) 177pts

11. Shotts St Patrick’s (Charlie Farren) 176pts

12. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good) 175pts

13. Barrhead Burgh (Alan Friel) 168pts

14. Mactaggart Scott (Amy Paterson) 165pts

Most entertaining programme: Irvine & Dreghorn Brass

Best principal cornet: Lynsay Dunn, Irvine & Dreghorn Brass

Best bass section: The Kirkintilloch Band

Best soloist: Allan Wardrope, The Kirkintilloch Band

Best percussion section: Barrhead Burgh

Best Championship section band: The Kirkintilloch Band

Best First section band: Unite Scotland Kinneil

Best Second section band: Irvine & Dreghorn Brass

Best Third section band: n/a

Best Fourth section band: Barrhead Burgh