Last weekend was the Senior Band's annual pilgrimage to Perth where we have competed in the Scottish Open Brass Band Championships for the last 3 years. This year was little different, because for the first time at a British Contest with a set Test Piece, the adjudicators were in the open and could see exactly who was playing.

The band arrived in Perth early Friday evening after a day on the road. At 7.30 we all arrived at St Ninian's Cathedral for rehearsal. What a rehearsal space! If we could move that acoustic to the bandroom, we would! Mark Bentham put the band through their paces applying the finishing touches to the already strong interpretation of Simon Dobson's new work "...and when the river told...".

A fun filled evening ensued as the contest wasn't due to begin until after lunch the next day. We had already been drawn to play 12th in the 15 band field, so didn't meet for our pre-contest rehearsal until 2.30. The very last touches and we were ready to go!

We took to the stage around 5pm, in an unusual formation. Cornets were split up, with the back row sitting where the front row usually sit, front row and sop opposite and horns in the back row's usual position. Although at first this may have seemed strange, it proved to be an effective setup as the piece went on and by the end it was visible that we had won the listeners and the composer over.

After a long wait (the current National Champions of Great Britain, Brighouse & Rastrick Band played a Gala Concert), the results were in. In third place.......... Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band. Although we were disappointed not to have had the top spot we were still pleased to be the best English band at the contest, and were especially pleased to find out that the composer had placed us first because of the way our story was told.

Derek Green Accepting 3rd prize trophy

As is typical of the Pem spirit, we celebrate well into the night and enjoyed a leisurely journey home the next day!

To listen to our performance click here!

Full Results below:

1. Co-operative Funeralcare (Michael Fowles) - 1/1/2 = 1.33
2. Kirkintilloch (Allan Ramsay) - 2/2/4 = 2.66
3. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham) - 4/6/1 = 3.66
4. Kingdom Brass (Andrew Duncan) - 6/4/5 = 5.00
5. Wire Brass (Paul Andrews) - 11/3/3 = 5.66
6. Woodfalls (Gareth Pritchard) - 5/8/6 = 6.33
7. Felling (Stephen Malcolm) - 7/7/9 = 7.66
8. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (David Nesbitt) - 3/10/10 = 7.66
9. Co-operative Milnrow (David Evans) - 9/5/12 = 8.66
10. Fishburn (John Ward) - 8/9/11 = 9.33
11. Dalmellington (Allan Morrison) - 10/11/8 = 9.66
12. Unison Kinneil (Paul Drury) - 12/15/7 = 11.33
13. Bon Accord Silver (John Maines) - 14/14/13 = 13.66
14. Newtongrange (Nigel Boddice MBE) - 15/12/14 = 13.66
15. Kirkbymoorside Brass (John Woodward) - 13/13/15 = 13.66

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