It was Jedburgh Instrumental (cover photo) who struck a winning chord with adjudicators Brett Baker and Chris Shanks at today’s Borders Entertainment Contest in Galashiels.
Masterfully conducted by musical director Philip Rosier, the band won not only the top prize overall for musical performance – receiving the Scottish Borders Trophy – but also for the most entertaining programme which featured a high energy set including Creep arranged by Lee Harrelson, The Devil in I arranged by Paul Saggers, A Boy and a Girl arranged by Alan Fernie (featuring vocals) and Brass Machine arranged by Lee Harrelson.
Additional awards for the band included best percussion, best Borders band and top First Section band.
Taking the runner-up spot in the contest was Unite Scotland Kinneil (Paul Drury) who also won the best bass section prize.
In third place was Annan Town (Ross Bahlaj), who also took away the Souter Ronnie Trophy for best Second Section band as well as the best instrumentalist (vocalist Georgie Swale, pictured below) and youngest (Richard) player awards.
Receiving the John A Wilson Memorial Trophy for best Third Section band was Selkirk Silver who also won awards for best solo cornet (Isla Gillespie, pictured below) and best trombone section (Iris Deane, Jamie Gillespie and Andrew Murray).
Best Fourth Section band was Hawick Saxhorn, presented with the Harry Pierce Memorial Trophy. The band also won the award for best vocalist (Ashley).
Langholm Town won the deportment prize and Croy Silver took home the best soloist award (Brian).
The full results of the contest are:
1. Jedforest Instrumental (Philip Rosier)
2. Unite Scotland Kinneil (Paul Drury)
3. Annan Town (Ross Bahlaj)
4. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good)
5. Croy Silver (Kenneth Blackwood)
6= Selkirk Silver (Stuart Black)
6= Langholm Town (Chris Bradley)
8. Hawick Saxhorn (Alan Fernie)
9. St Ronan’s Silver (Michael Marzella)
10. Coalburn Intermediate (Gareth Bowman)
11. Brass Sounds Inverclyde (Caroline Tennant)
12, Penicuik Silver (Jess Purbrick)
13. Peebles Burgh (Keith Belleville)