Kingdom Win Land O'Burns
Kingdom Brass has won the 2011 Land O'Burns Contest.
From the 4barsrest site:
Kingdom Brass took another step towards fulflling their ambitous plans to become the leading
competitive force in Scottish banding at the Land O'Burns Contest on the weekend.
Conducted by newly appointed Scottish Development Officer Andy Duncan, they secured their
first Troon title and £2,500 of prize money with a 20-minute entertainment programme
described by adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth as containing, "...awesome playing."
It gave the Fife band a clear two-point winning margin over current Scottish champion
and six time winner Exchange Communications Whitburn, who had to be content with the
£1,000 runner up prize for the second successive year.
Fishburn upheld English honour as they travelled from the North East under Huw Thomas to
claim the £500 on offer for coming third, whilst there was delight for Tullis Russell
Mills, as the Second Section outfit conducted by Martyn Ramsay beat Scottish Championship
podium finishers Lochgelly as well as First Section Coalburn to claim fourth place and boost
their coffers by £700.
There was to be no repeat victory for Johnstone however, as the First Section reigning champion
slumped to last place in the 11 band field.
In contrast there was nothing but celebratory joy for Kingdom, just a week after they secured
a £30,000 Youth Music Initiative grant to help in the next phase of their long term youth
development project, which they hope will see them develop into Scotland's leading banding
organisation.
Spokesperson, John Todd told 4BR that the victory was another solid indicator of Kingdom's
growing strength. "We are continuing to build for the future," he said. "This win comes on
the back of victory at the Carnegie Invitation contest and reaching the final of the West
Lothian Challenge, so our contesting progression is mirroring our long term aims and
objectives for the organisation as a whole."
Boosted by the signings of Scottish National Opera trombonist Davur Magnusson and British
Open Solo Champion, Harmen Vanhoorne from Brass Band Buizingen, Kingdom opened with the
high tempo 'Coconut Champagne', featuring the European duo as well as the talents of tuba
player Andrew Whitaker and screaming trumpeter Gavin Spowart.
The Belgian cornet star then delivered a stunning performance of 'Fortune's Fool' to take
the Philip McCann 'Best Principal Cornet' Award, before the band changed stylistic tack
with Mark Freeh's arrangement of 'Tonight', described by the adjudicator as, '...a great
exercise in laid back playing...'
Kingdom rounded off with the 'Dundonnell' finale from 'Hymn of the Highlands' to take
home the Knoweview Nursing Home Trophy as well as individual awards for best trombone,
principal cornet, basses and percussion.
After the results Kevin Wadsworth took time to congratulate the winners, adding that he
would have liked to been able to have seen their performance unfold before his eyes such
was the 'awesome playing' that was clearly appreciated by a thoroughly entertained audience
at Troon Concert Hall.
The victory celebrations went on long into the night at the Kingdom bandroom as the band
let their hair down after an intensive period of rehearsal, contests and concerts, as John
Todd explained.
"It's been a very busy time for the band. This week Harmen has been teaching the children
as part of our Youth Initiative, whilst Davur was our guest soloist at our recent annual
concert. The win has rounded off a great few weeks in all senses."
added 21st August 2011