Scottish Solo and Ensemble Festival
Congratulations to the Whitburn Band members who made it a clean sweep at the weekend’s Scottish Solo and Ensemble Festival open event by taking the top three places. Euphonium player Scott Kerr came out on top with his performance of The Goblin’s Rondo. Runner-up was cornetist Callum Robb who played Zelda and taking the third spot (and also the over-40s award) was horn player Alison Hall for her rendition of the Rondo from the Strauss Horn Concerto no.1.
Seventeen adult soloists took part in the open event which followed nine youth ensembles who had taken centre stage. On Saturday, 35 qualifiers from the youth area events a fortnight earlier performed their solos. All the weekend’s performances were livestreamed on the SBBA YouTube channel, providing a superb showcase for the musical talents of brass players, young and old.
Adjudicator Bryan Allen congratulated SBBA for putting the event on – which was possible through the support of Creative Scotland – and all the participants for taking the time and trouble to practice and perform their solos. Before announcing the open solo results, Bryan Allen said he had been “knocked out” by the standard of the individual performances.
Both Saturday and Sunday broadcasts can be viewed at https://youtu.be/OOnXzx9CL3Y and https://youtu.be/GuHVpZX7_60 respectively.
At the end of the weekend’s proceedings, SBBA president Carrie Boax commented: “‘I was really encouraged and delighted by the response from young and old players alike. Recording in your own home – in isolation and many without accompaniment or the direction of teachers/mentors – is a very brave thing to do and I applaud everyone for their accomplishments. It was encouraging to see some players participating for the first time. The festival was a very fitting event to have on the weekend that should have been our Scottish Championships and we’re all looking forward to brighter days and the national finals in Cheltenham and London later this year.”
Full Results:
Youth Solos
12 and under:
1. Luke Parkhill (West of Scotland)
2. Lewis Miller (South West)
3. Cara McFadzean (West)
16 and under:
1. Gregor Koziel (Fife)
2. Andrew McMillan (West)
3= Charlie Boax (West)
3= Mark Forbes (Fife)
21 and under:
1. Joshua Parkhill (West)
2. Isaac Parkhill (West)
3. Carole Ednie (West)
Youth Ensembles
12 and under: Campbeltown Brass
16 and under: Stranraer Brass
21 and under: Loanhead Brass
Open Solos
1. Scott Kerr (Whitburn)
2. Callum Robb (Whitburn)
3. Alison Hall (Whitburn)
Best Cornet: Callum Robb (Whitburn)
Best Horn: Alison Hall (Whitburn)
Best Euphonium: Scott Kerr (Whitburn)
Best Baritone: Carole Ednie (the cooperation band)
Best Trombone: Joshua Parkhill (Dalmellington)
Best Bass: Gavin Johnson (the cooperation band)
Best Percussion: Morven Hollick (Bon-Accord)
Best over-40s player: Alison Hall (Whitburn)
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