Good call Neillyboy I have to agree with you on the top section, I think The Co might be too strong on the day to be beaten and I do feel Kingdom are long overdue a top two slot, and with some new faces at Whitburn it might take a little while for then to settle in but it has been said in the past, everytime someone writes off Whitburn that's when they are most difficult to beat, so it should be a good days contest.
Section one will see Newmilns start off as favs especially with Nigel at the helm, but Newtongrane are a band with a huge amout of pride and history and they will be looking to get back into the top section again.
The second section appears to be one of the hardest to get out of and Kinneil will be favs but I see Tullis clipping right at thir heels and I feel it will be a tussle between these two for the top slot with Kilmarnock right behind them.
Third section and a test piece like Hollywood, now this is really going to sort the bands out and some experienced people in front of the bands will make sure this is a great section, but I think Brass Sounds, Kingdom B and St Ronans won't be far away.
The thread on this forum about the choice of piece for this section has made quite interesting reading and I'm sure no band is taking the piece lightly, even top section bands struggle when only a few players are asked to play pp and Devon Fantasy has more than a few sections like that so for me it's Barrhead, Dunfermline and Tullis Intermediate
so my thoughts are (for what they are worth)
Championship Section
1. Coop
2. Kingdom Brass
3. Whitburn
First Section
1. Newmilns
2. Newtongrange
3. Bon Accord
Second Sction
1. Kinneil
2. Tullis Russell
3. Kilmarnock
Third Section
1. Brass Sounds
2. Kingdom B
3. St Ronans
Fourth Section
1. Barrhead
2. Dunfermline
3. Tullis Intermediate
But whatever the results it looks like being two great days of music making, especially for the listener and good luck to all the bands.
Looking forward to Perth !
