West of Scotland Solo and Ensemble Championships

Talented young brass players have gathered in Kilmarnock for the 2016 West of Scotland Solo and Ensemble Championships. The contest, which took place in the town's Salvation Army hall on October 29, was organised by the West of Scotland Brass Band Association and saw nearly 30 soloists taking part along with ensembles in a bid to impress adjudicator, Caroline Farren.

Caroline commented: "I had a tremendous day listening to the soloists and ensembles performing in Kilmarnock.Some of the participants travelled a really long way to take part and they did themselves, their bands and their families proud. Playing a solo in front of an audience is not an easy experience but it's a crucial part of a young player's development and everyone showed great maturity on stage."

Qualifiers from the event have now earned the right to perform at the Besson Scottish Solo and Ensemble Championships in Livingston on February 4, 2017. Laura Good, secretary of the West of Scotland Brass Band Association, said: "The standard at the West of Scotland Championships continues to impress, with a healthy mix of new and returning faces taking part.

"Well done to everyone who took to the stage, particularly those who took home the prizes. It's clear there is still a great appetite for solo and ensemble playing in the West of Scotland, which is sending a strong field of qualifiers to the finals next year."

Results

Junior solos

1) Andrew McMillan | Tenor Horn | Campbeltown Brass | Gold

2) Kyle Paterson | Euphonium | Campbeltown Brass | Gold

3) Andrew Colville | Eb Bass | Campbeltown Brass | Gold

Charlie Boax | Baritone | Irvine and Dreghorn | Gold

Libby Hunter | Tenor Horn | Riverside Youth Band | Gold

Jack Campbell | Tenor Horn | Campbeltown Brass | Silver

Rona Campbell | Flugelhorn | Campbeltown Brass | Silver

Drew Cunningham | Cornet | Campbeltown Brass | Silver

Sophie Hall | Cornet | Stranraer Brass | Silver

Hannah McCaig | Cornet | Campbeltown Brass | Silver

Faye McKee | Tenor Horn | Irvine and Dreghorn | Silver

Scott Oman | Eb Bass | Campbeltown Brass | Silver

Fraser Waddington | Trombone | Irvine and Dreghorn | Silver

Adam Riddiough | Euphonium | Dalmellington | Bronze

Robert Riddiough | Euphonium | Dalmellington | Bronze

Junior ensembles

1) Campbeltown Brass Junior A | Gold

2) Argyll Brass Roots Quartet A | Silver

3) Campbeltown Brass Junior B | Silver

Argyll Brass Roots Quartet B | Silver

Intermediate solos

1) Amy Paterson | Tenor Horn | Campbeltown Brass | Gold

2) Gavin Johnson | Eb Bass | Campbeltown Brass | Gold

3) Olivia McCutcheon | Euphonium | Dalmellington | Gold

Hannah Oman | Soprano Cornet | Campbeltown | Gold

Emma Blain | Tenor Horn | Dalmellington | Silver

Alistair Supples | Euphonium | Argyll Brass | Silver

Kyle Fitzsimmons | Cornet | Dalmellington | Silver

Simone Clark | Tenor Horn | Dalmellington | Bronze

Aimee Wilson | Cornet | Dalmellington | Bronze

Intermediate ensembles

1) Campbeltown Brass intermediate ensemble | Gold

Youth solos

1) Rebecca Wilson | Cornet | Dalmellington | 96

2) Paul Jamieson | Bb Bass | Dalmellington | 94

3) Owen Pickering | Bass Trombone | Campbeltown Brass 90

Youth ensembles

1) Dalmellington Brass quartet | 95

2) Campbeltown Brass youth ensemble | 90

Photo: Adjudicator Caroline Farren with Fiona Kennedy, Emma Blain, Olivia McCutcheon and Kyle Fitzsimmons, of Dalmellington Band's winning youth ensemble.

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