Story by Peter Arthurs
On Saturday 16th February members from the band of all ages took part in the BBL Solo and quartets festival that took place in the Sydenham Salvation Army Citadel.
In the U12s section and the U15s section there were many great performances from all of the junior members who took part and even though they didn’t get placed, they all really enjoyed themselves and their standard of playing was brilliant.
In the U17 solos, Amber MacLennan was placed 2nd and Rachael Barr was 4th.
We had two quartets in the 17 and Under Ensembles, the first quartet consisting of Rebecca Donaldson, Deborah Gourley, Rachael Donaldson and Amber MacLennan, and the second of Rachael Barr, Andrew McCarroll, Janey Spence and Rachel Barkley. Despite good efforts on both quartets parts they weren’t placed but all members concerned found it a good and valuable experience.
Both the Junior Band and the Training Band took part in the Junior Band contest, and even though neither got placed both bands were pleased with their performances and a big well done goes to all members of both the bands and their respective conductors, Peter Arthurs and Robin Clinton.
In the evening performances the members of the Senior Band also performed very well.
In the Slow Melody section, Ruth Montgomery played 2nd Movt. from Boehm’s concerto for trumpet, Michael Montgomery, Claire Hueston played Misty by Errol Garner, Peter Arthurs, Cathryn Arthurs, Robin Clinton, Nichola McCarroll, and Amber MacLennan all competed with Ruth and Claire obtaining joint third place and with everyone very pleased with the way they performed.
In the C solos there were performances from Nichola McCarroll who played Demelza by Hugh Nash, Rachael Donaldson with Hoagy Charmichael’s Stardust and Cathryn Arthurs who played Macushla. They were all placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.
In the A solos, Claire Hueston – Mace, P. Sparke, Peter Arthurs – Capriccio, P. Sparke and Robin Clinton – Sing and Dance, P. Sparke, performed excellently despite not being placed.
In the Senior Ensemble class, a duet of Claire Hueston and Peter Arthurs was placed 1st and received 90 points for their interpretation of Capriccio and Humouresque by Gareth Wood. In the B Quartets a quartet of Claire Hueston, Peter Arthurs, Robin Clinton and Nichola McCarroll were also placed 1st with their performance of Anthony Spurgin’s Foursome for Brass.
All in all the contest was very rewarding for all members of the band who took part and everyone was very happy at the end of the long, tiring, but very successful day.