Top brass: Campbeltown band wins prestigious ensemble prize

Entrants submitted videos of their performances to a panel of esteemed adjudicators led by Matthew Chinn, associate head of the Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), Ruth Morley, flute player with Red Note Ensemble, renowned percussionist Calum Huggan, and Rachel Cooper, violin tutor who works with The Benedetti Foundation.

After winning the brass ensemble prize, Campbeltown Brass will receive a cash prize to further its musical experiences, a Maid of Morven Trophy designed by Alexander Stoddart, The King’s Sculptor in Ordinary and an all-expenses paid trip to play a prime slot at the Solo Performer of the Year National Final at the RCS on Sunday May 26.

Campbeltown Brass conductor Katrina Barr said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Scottish Brass Ensemble of the Year and I’m so proud of all the hard work that the members put in throughout the year. We are very much looking forward to performing at the final next week.”

Belmont Academy Woodwind Ensemble was the winner of the Ensemble of the Year award, which was open to ensembles playing any genre or grouping of instruments. 

Matthew Chinn, chief adjudicator for Open Ensemble and Brass Ensemble of the Year, said: “The SYM Ensemble competition panel was delighted to receive a record number of entries, from across the length and breadth of Scotland, for the brass and open ensemble classes. 

“The quality of submissions were all of an extremely high standard with a diverse range of instrumentation/ensemble types entered: big band, brass, guitar, jazz, percussion and strings, which is testament to the great work and variety of offering taking place each week in schools and communities across Scotland.

“As well as being skilled individual performers, the winning ensembles of both classes demonstrated impressive communication skills with one another, coupled with a cohesive understanding of balance, intonation and musical character required throughout their carefully selected programmes.

“The panel congratulates every ensemble for their fantastic performances and look forward to welcoming this year’s winners of the Brass and Open Ensemble classes to the RCS on Sunday May 26 to perform during the SYM Solo Performer of the Year competition.”