A Campbeltown horn player has been crowned 16-and-under champion at the finals of a Scottish brass band competition.
Mae Barr took home the winner’s trophy and a gold award in the intermediate solos section at the Scottish Brass Band Association’s Youth Solo and Ensemble Championships.
Held last Saturday in Bellshill Salvation Army Hall, the competition featured more than 25 soloists and 16 ensembles competing for the junior, intermediate and youth titles.
Mae was not the only Campbeltown Brass soloist to see success, with adjudicator Brett Baker also awarding Cara McFadzean a gold award in the intermediate section, while Hope Hill received a gold award and Lewis Smith took home a silver award in the junior section.
Ensembles from Campbeltown Brass were also rewarded for their efforts, with Campbeltown A crowned runners up and winning a gold award in the junior section and Campbeltown B winning a silver award in the same class.
In the intermediate ensembles section, Campbeltown Brass B were runners up, taking home a gold award, with Campbeltown Brass A winning a silver award.
Despite a full day of competing, the young musicians were not finished yet, with Mae and three other youth players – Cara McFadzean, Charlie Colville and James Barr – invited to perform that evening with The Cooperation Band at The Scottish Festival of Brass Champions in Glasgow.
The Scottish Championship-winning Cooperation Band, which includes former Campbeltown Brass member and musical director Stephanie Kennedy among its members, has a youth initiative in place with Campbeltown Brass.
The partnership scheme aims to encourage young players and give them opportunities to perform, with Mae invited to perform her winning solo piece during the evening.
The event was a joint concert with The Kirkintilloch Band, which meant the young musicians also shared the stage with another former Campbeltown Brass member, Erin McSporran.
Katrina Barr of Campbeltown Brass, Mae’s mum, said: “I’m so proud of all our players who took part in the Scottish Brass Band Association Youth Solo and Ensemble Championships and so grateful to The Cooperation Band for their encouragement and support of our young players.
“Their youth initiative is such an amazing opportunity for our players to perform amongst some of the finest brass players in the country.”
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