The JIB
Committee has commissioned the preparation of Practical Performance Tests at
Grades 1 to 3 for brass and percussion instruments. These involve performing 3
pieces, chosen from a set list or taken from band repertoire; playing
prescribed scales and their arpeggios and sight reading. The format of these
tests mirrors Associated Board requirements for theses grades and the marking
criteria employed emulates current SQA standards. Junior players may chose when they wish to be
assessed. Further details are available from Fiona Neary.
The 1st February saw the annual Scottish Solo and ensemble championships
happen in the howden park centre in Livingston. Some phenomenal young
brass players showed up from all over scotland to show adjudicators
Hedly Benson and Nigel Dunlow what they could do.
Having qualified 2 weeks before Abbey Brass 1 (Gavin Ross, Rosie
Holley, Cara Neary and Amy Thomson) - Jedforest (Gavin Ross, Paul
Domingo, Amy Thomson and James Ross) and Our own Under 16's champion
James Ross made the trip. In the Under 16 category up against some of
the best youngsters in the country
Abbey Brass 1 and James put on great
performances and came away with Bronze awards.
In the 21 and under category Jedforest were against some much older
performers but still managed to hold there own putting on a great show
ending up in 3rd place.
This highlighted a great start for our youngsters and one that we should
all (including them be very proud off) Here's to it continuing through
2014
Abbey Brass had a great turn out on the 18th January for what is only
the 2nd Borders youth day to be ran by the SBBBA this year held in the
Hawick Teviot church.
In the morning for the solo and ensemble contest brought lots of
youngsters from all over the Borders to compete for the top 3 places
that would qualify them for the Scottish solo and ensemble championships
to be held two weeks later in livingston. We had 3 ensembles entered
firstly in the Under 16's section
Abbey Brass 1 (Gavin Ross, Rosie Holley, Cara Neary and Amy Thomson) were 1st
Abbey Brass 2 (Paul Domingo, Rosie Holley, Andrew Martin and Naomi Henderson) were 2nd
and in the Youth section (Under 21's)
Jedforest (Gavin Ross, Paul Domingo, Amy Thomson and James Ross) were 1st
in the junior solos we had
Cara Neary - silver
In the Intermediate solos we had
Gavin Ross - silver
Amy Thomson - Silver
Naomi Henderson - Bronze
James Ross - Gold and 1st Place overall
In the afternoon it was then the turn of the band contest with Abbey
Brass going up against the bands in the under 14 category and after a
great performance they built on the bronze they got at perth with a
Silver award and 3rd Place. A huge congratulations to all the youngsters
who took part
