Riverside Youth Solo Competition
Talented young Inverclyde musicians have dazzled in the solo spotlight at Riverside Youth Band’s fifth annual solo competition. The event featured 20 performances from band members as they showcased their brass and percussion playing talents, alongside accompanist Kristine Donnan, in front of adjudicator and renowned brass musician Alan Fernie, as well as their peers and family members.
The solo competition in Port Glasgow Salvation Army hall saw Riverside players of all levels of experience taking part across various categories. The Junior class was won by C Marshall on glockenspiel, while the Intermediate section was won by cornetist Gus. Taking the honours in the Senior class was tenor horn player and Inverclyde Academy pupil Andrea Crumlish. Also handed out at the competition was the Jack Leitch Memorial Trophy for outstanding performance, given to a player across any of the day’s events – it was won by Gus Paton, following his impressive rendition of traditional solo ‘The Ash Grove’.
Reflecting on the day, Riverside Youth Band musical director Mark Good commented: “Playing a solo is a great way to develop as a musician and a person. Sticking one’s head above the parapet is not always easy but it’s an excellent learning experience and a great way to broaden someone’s comfort zone. To see all these solo performances was a delight and is testament to the commitment and resilience of everyone who took to the stage. I’m extremely proud of them.”
Riverside, which currently boasts members from Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, is now looking forward to its summer concert, at which it plans to mark its tenth anniversary, which it is celebrating throughout 2022. Duncan Galbraith, RYB chairman, added: “Following the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s been wonderful for the band to return to live performances and engagements.”
Riverside Youth Band continues to welcome new members to its ranks. Anyone learning – or keen to learn – a brass or percussion instrument is welcome to get involved and should get in touch with Duncan at info@riversideyouthband.co.uk
Results:
Junior: Winner: C Marshall, glockenspiel, gold; Andrew Smith, trombone, gold; R Marshall, cornet, silver; Ajai Wilson, cornet, silver.
Intermediate: Winner: Gus Paton, cornet, gold; Second: Hannah McInnes, bass trombone, gold; Third: Scott Smith, trombone, gold; Scott Crumlish, bass trombone, gold; Struan Hewitt, trombone, silver; Alex Jamieson, trombone, silver; Katie Livingstone, flugel, silver; Hannah Martin, bass trombone, silver; Anna-Stella Seidl, trombone, bronze; Megan Taylor, tenor horn, bronze.
Senior: Winner: Andrea Crumlish, tenor horn, gold; Second: Libby Hunter, French horn, gold; Third: Gregor Hewitt, cornet, gold; Matthew Deegan, trombone, silver; Rachel O’Connor, trombone, silver.
Jack Leitch Memorial Trophy for outstanding performance: Gus Paton
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