BAND MEMBERS COMPETE IN ANNUAL BBL SOLOS AND QUARTETS
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.
