Sound of success for town's youngest brass musicians

Campbeltown's youngest brass musicians are scaling the heights after winning two prizes at a national competition.

 

At last weekend's Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships, Campbeltown Youth Brass, consisting of players aged 16 and under, won the development section, while Campbeltown Brass Juniors, competing in their first ever competition, triumphed in the preparatory section.

 

The junior band is made up of players who joined the Campbeltown Brass CBBz programme in 2020. The youngsters began learning the basics using plastic pBuzz instruments before graduating on to brass instruments last year.

 

The youth and junior bands, both conducted by Katrina Barr, impressed adjudicators Glyn and Helen Williams at the competition in Perth Concert Hall, organised by the Scottish Brass Band Association.

 

Campbeltown Youth Brass played five tunes: The January February March; Sandon; Caribbean Holiday; Under the Boardwalk; and Down Bourbon Street.

 

"attachment_835414" "aligncenter" "300"] Campbeltown Youth Brass and conductor Katrina Barr on stage competing in the development section.

 

In her adjudication notes, Helen wrote that she was 'instantly impressed by the technique on show', also highlighting the band's 'fabulous sounds and control' and 'great balance and ensemble'.

 

She concluded: 'This performance had everything in spades. Tremendous.'

 

Glyn was similarly impressed, mentioning the band's control and 'superb sounds'.

 

The six songs performed by Campbeltown Brass Juniors were: Let Me Entertain You; Abide With Me; Growing Pains; In The Highlands; Money, Money, Money; and Ghostbusters.

 

Helen wrote that the band had a 'super confident start, with an awesome band sound', while Glyn said the youngsters produced 'a full, rich sound'.

 

Summing up, Helen said: 'I hope you enjoyed playing this programme as much as I enjoyed listening to it. Brilliant.'

 

Speaking to the Courier this week, conductor Katrina said: 'It was a fantastic day. I was so proud of them all and to win both competitions was extra special.

 

'The highlight for me was Rona Campbell, our flugelhorn player, performing the solo in Under the Boardwalk and adjudicator Helen Williams giving her the biggest applause; Helen is the flugelhorn player with The Cory Band and this is a solo that she showcased with them.'

 

"attachment_836224" "aligncenter" "300"] Double success for Campbeltown Brass: Charlie Colville from Campbeltown Youth Brass and Amelia Anderson from Campbeltown Brass Juniors with their prizes.

 

The young bands' successes follow triumphs for Campbeltown Brass's senior band, which was crowned second section champions at the Scottish Brass Band Association's Scottish Regional Championships in March and National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in September.

 

'It has been an incredible year for the band,' said Katrina, 'and we want to thank everyone who has helped make it possible.'