Brass bands battle it out at Borders entertainment contest

Jedforest Instrumental Band have come out on top ahead of other Borders bands, enjoying a double success at the recent Borders entertainment competition held at Heriot-Watt University's Galashiels campus this month.
Jedforest Insturmental Band percussionist Cameron McReadie with adjudicator Mareika Gray.Jedforest Insturmental Band percussionist Cameron McReadie with adjudicator Mareika Gray.
Jedforest Insturmental Band percussionist Cameron McReadie with adjudicator Mareika Gray.

They claimed best Borders band and saw their percussionist pick up the prize for best instrumentalist at the 16th annual contest, which this year was hosted by Galashiels Town Band for the first time.

Twenty bands from around Scotland, including brass bands from Selkirk, Hawick, Innerleithen and Langholm, competed for prizes across different sections, each performing a mini concert programme before a large audience.

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The Jedburgh band, performing under the baton of conductor Phil Rosier, impressed judges Michael Fowles and Mareika Gray the most of all the local bands.

Langholm Town Band win at Borders Entertainment Contect 2016.Langholm Town Band win at Borders Entertainment Contect 2016.
Langholm Town Band win at Borders Entertainment Contect 2016.

And further credits followed when their percussionist Cameron McCreadie,16, was announced as the best instrumentalist of the day.

John Mabon from the Jedforest Instrumental Band said: “It is very unusual for this prize to be awarded to a drumkit player, you would normally expect it to go to a brass player since there are so many more of them represented.

“He was quite exceptional and we are really very pleased that Cameron was singled out.”

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No strangers to the podium, the Jedburgh band were delighted to also place second in the overall competition, where they competed in the first division, only narrowly pipped at the post by the Bathgate band from West Lothian.

Borders Entertainment Contest best instrumentalist Cameron McCreadie from Jedforest Instrumental Band.Borders Entertainment Contest best instrumentalist Cameron McCreadie from Jedforest Instrumental Band.
Borders Entertainment Contest best instrumentalist Cameron McCreadie from Jedforest Instrumental Band.

Allan Doyle, chairman of Galashiels Town Band, said: “Staging the Borders Entertainment Contest in Galashiels is a significant milestone in the rebuilding of our own band. We are proud to be taking part and we are also delighted to welcome so many bands and visitors to the town.”

The results from the contest were as follows:

Highest-placed Borders band: Jedforest Instrumental

Entertainment prize: Langholm Town

Langholm Town Band win at Borders Entertainment Contect 2016.Langholm Town Band win at Borders Entertainment Contect 2016.
Langholm Town Band win at Borders Entertainment Contect 2016.

Best soloist: Bass Trombone, Penicuik Silver

Best instrumentalist: Kit Player, Jedforest Instrumental

Best 1st Section band: Bathgate

Best 2nd Section band: Shotts St Patrick’s

Best 3rd Section band: Langholm Town

Best 4th Section band: Penicuik Silver

Deportment prize: Bathgate

Best solo cornet: Shotts St Patrick’s

Best bass section: Bathgate

Best percussion: Bathgate

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