Perthshire Brass rounded off a very successful year by picking up a handful of trophies at the Scottish Festival of Brass held in Perth Concert Hall, which incorporated both the Scottish Youth Championships and the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge.
In the Youth Championships, 9 of the band's 10 percussionists were involved in the Perth & Kinross Schools' Percussion Ensembles, with Lynsey Paterson’s Senior Ensemble receiving a Gold award and being crowned overall winners, with the Junior Ensemble collecting a Silver Award. Perthshire Brass’ lead percussionist Iona Crosby made her conducting debut with the Junior Ensemble, delivering an entertaining and varied programme of music. Pirate hats and party poppers added to the sense of occasion, and the enjoyment of the players was clear to an enthusiastic audience.
Later in the day, Perthshire Youth Brass competed against 14 other bands in the Novice Section of the Youth Championships. Their programme included the rhythmic use of basketballs in Paul Lovatt-Cooper's Slam Dunk, Kira and Mel memorising their solos in Bohemian Rhapsody, and an excellent rendition of Alan Fernie's Tartanheart which earned the band a Gold Award and second place overall.
In the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge, Perthshire Brass were drawn 13th of 23 in the contest, which featured bands from the First to Fourth Section of Scottish banding and included guest bands from Northern Ireland, England and Germany. The band's tuba player Craig Dennis took on conducting duties for the first time, while 5 of the band's younger players made their senior contest debuts playing Alan Fernie’s Landscape and Journey. A great effort from the band resulted in an 11th overall placing - finishing ahead of some notable higher ranks bands - and also the award for Best Third Section Band.
"A performance with some fine playing in band and soloists"
Stan Lippeatt
In addition, Perthshire Brass were then named Scottish Third Section Band of the Year in recognition of a successful year of contesting which will see the band promoted to the Section Section for 2020. Stepping up a level will be a big challenge for the band, but one that they are looking forward to. In the meantime, look out for us at one of our many festive performances!