The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Brass band strikes gold at nationals
Abrass band from Fife has been crowned Britain’s best after outperforming rivals from across the UK.
Kelty-based Kingdom Brass scooped the most coveted prize on the band circuit at the National Brass Band Championship in Cheltenham on Saturday.
The band saw off rivals from across England and Wales in the main Section One category. It was the band’s performance of Connotations by composer
Edward Gregson that wowed adjudicators Alan Morrison and Sheona Wade.
The achievement is all the more remarkable given that band members were unable to gather for practice for much of the last 18 months.
Kingdom Brass became Scottish Champions in March 2020 but the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic meant the band couldn’t play together or perform at galas and fundraising events.
Members got back together for outdoor socially distanced practice sessions in April – their first time together in over a year. They have been able to meet indoors since June.
The triumph has also cost the band members an estimated £10,000 just to be able to make the finals.
Bill Sandell, Kingdom Brass chairman, said being crowned Britain’s best was “extra special” given what everyone has gone through.
“I can hardly begin to describe it, the result is
truly amazing,” said Bill. “Eighteen qualified for the finals from over 100 bands all across the UK. However, a few just couldn’t attend due to the financial strain, and other issues, so 14 competed in the final.
“Despite the reduced number of bands, winning it is still a huge achievement.”
He added: “Financially
the trip has cost us over £10,000. As a charity we have to raise all that ourselves, normally from playing concerts and galas.
“But none of that has been possible over the past year so band and players have all taken a huge hit financially. That’s why any potential sponsors out there are most welcome to get in touch.”
Kingdom secretary, John Todd, added: “The band is ecstatic on winning the nationals, especially so after everything that’s happened in the past year and a half. We’ve worked so hard over the past few months to bring everyone back together.”
The achievement marks a high point for the band, which formed in 1999.