TALENTED young Inverclyde musicians showcased their skills in the spotlight recently as their band held its sixth annual solo competition.
Riverside Youth Band’s event took place at Port Glasgow Salvation Army and saw 23 performers from its youth and training bands take part.
Members of the Riverside Rookies also played at the competition in a bid to impress judge Caroline Farren of the Whitburn Band.
In the senior solos event, tenor horn player Andrea Crumlish of Inverclyde Academy retained her title with a performance of September Fantasy by Eric Ball.
Cornetist Rebecca Marshall, who attends Clydeview Academy, came out on top in the intermediate solos for her version of A Whole New World, while St Francis Primary’s Becca Stewart won the junior solos with Light Up the Fire.
Stuart Smith of Aileymill Primary took home the Jack Leith Memorial Trophy for his performance of All Night, All day on baritone.
Musical director Mark Good said: “Riverside Youth Band's latest solo competition was our most successful yet, with impressive playing across the categories.
"Putting your head above the parapet takes courage, and getting on stage to perform a solo in front of their peers was a big step for many of our youngsters but they did themselves proud.
“In doing so, they've widened their comfort zone and demonstrated the sort of resilience and determination that will stand them in good stead as they grow into young adults in the years to come."
The competition came in the midst of a busy spell for Riverside, with members having recently performed as part of the popular Music in Lyle Kirk series.
Elsewhere, Siobhan Crumlish, sister of Andrea, and Ash Paton represented the band at the Scottish Youth Solo Championships.
Next week, several band members will join up with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland for its Easter course at Strathallan School in Perthshire.
To round off April, member Mark Gammon – who studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, will perform with the European Youth Brass Band in Swedish city of Malmö.
Duncan Galbraith, Riverside chairman, said: “Across the organisation, we're delighted to see our members developing as musicians and as young people.
"From the experienced members of the Youth Band to our ever-growing Training Band and our stars of tomorrow in the Riverside Rookies, they're all getting to experience the joy of making music together in a safe, nurturing environment."
The band rehearses in Port Glasgow New Parish Church on Friday afternoons, and young musicians are welcome to join. Find out more by contacting Duncan on 07974 106888.
The full results were as follows:
Senior Solos
First: Andrea Crumlish, Gold; Second: Struan Hewitt, Gold; Third: Ash Paton, Gold; Hannah McInnes, Gold; Siobhan Crumlish, Silver; Alex Jamieson, Silver
Intermediate Solos
First: Rebecca Marshall, Gold; Second: Logan Nixon, Gold; Third: Kyle Baxter, Gold; Chloe Marshall, Silver; Hannah Martin, Silver; Megan Taylor, Silver
Junior Solos
First: Becca Stewart, Gold; Second: Stuart Smith, Gold; Third: Annie Jones, Gold; Sienna Harrison, Silver; Callum McCowan, Silver; Ellie McKibben and Kiahn Nicholas, Bronze; Logan Mitchell, Bronze; Lucy Pelling, Bronze; Jake Sloan, Bronze; Chloe Neate, Bronze
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