6th Borders Festival Of Brass
Since it was first held in 2000, the Borders Festival of Brass has grown to become a popular and well-respected Borders-wide event, full of good music, entertainment and fun. The 6th Festival is set to take place from 24 September to 2 October and arrangements are well underway thanks to the efforts of the Scottish Borders Brass Band Association. The Festival will see events organised by each of the member bands and will include several exciting concerts, a long-established solo and quartet competition and a brass and percussion workshop for school children.
?We are delighted that the Festival is set to continue for a sixth year?, said Neal Wade, Association Chairman. ?The Association has played a major part in bringing the events together, although the individual Bands are organising their own events?, he explained. Brass in the Borders has undergone something of a revival in recent years with more youngsters than ever enjoying the thrill of playing in a band?, Mr Wade explained. ?We see the Festival as a real celebration of bands in the region and are convinced that, as well as helping to promote each band, it will bring visitors to the area?, he conculded.
The packed festival programme kicks-off with a concert by the award-winning Jedforest Instrumental Band on Friday 24 September when they will be joined by Abbey Brass (Jedforest), formerly known as Jedforest Juniors, in Jedburgh Town Hall at 7.30pm. The next day (Sunday 25 September) will see a brass and percussion Workshop for school-age children (Galashiels Academy 10.00am-5.00pm). ?Our youth training events become more popular each time and we would encourage every young brass and percussion player in the Borders to get in touch and come along for a great day of music-making?, said Neal. ?We are really proud of our commitment to the young players of the Borders and this will be a highlight of the Festival of Brass?, he said. The workshop will conclude with a short concert featuring the young players at 4.00pm.
A concert by St. Boswells Concert Band will follow on Monday 26 September (St. Boswells Village Hall, 7.30pm). The band is preparing a programme to suit all tastes and will be conducted by Gordon Hitchison. Galashiels Town Band will present an informal concert on Wednesday 28 September (Band Hall, Roxburgh Street, 7.30pm) and this is a great opportunity to find out about this developing band. Abbey Brass (Jedforest) will hold an open rehearsal that same night in their band hall at The Friars, Jedburgh (7.00pm).
Peebles Burgh Silver Band has An Evening of Brass planned for Thursday 29 September when they will be performing in St. Andrews Leckie Church at 7.30pm. Jedforest Instrumental Band will open its doors for an open rehearsal that same night in their band hall at The Friars, Jedburgh (7.00pm).Meanwhile, St. Ronans Silver Band will be promoting a joint concert featuring both St. Ronans Band and St. Ronans Future Band along with the current Champion Band of Scotland, Newtongrange Silver, in Innerleithens Memorial Hall on Friday 30 September. (Innerleithen Memorial Hall, 7.30pm).
Hawick Saxhorn Band will present a cabaret to celebrate 150 years of the Band on Saturday 1 October (Hawick Town Hall, 7.30pm). The cabaret will feature guest artistes as well as the local band in this popular annual event in the town.
The final event in this action packed Festival programme will be the Borders Slow Melody contest on Sunday 2 October. Organised by Selkirk Silver Band it is to be held in the local High School commencing at 11.30am (draw at 11.00am). This will be a showcase of some of the best brass instrumentalist in the region.
Enquiries about any of the events can be made by calling (01896) 831721.
Full programme:
Saturday 24 September - Jedforest Instrumental Band - 01835 864238
Concert in Jedburgh Town Hall at 7.30pm
Sunday 25 September - SBBBA - 01835 862631
Youth Brass & Percussion Workshops in Galashiels Academy at 10:00 am. Open Concert at 4:00pm
Monday 26 September - St. Boswells Concert Band - 01896 820179
Concert in St. Boswells Village Hall at 7.30pm
Wednesday 28 September - Abbey Brass (Jedforest) - 01835 864238
Open Rehearsal in the Band Hall, The Friars, Jedburgh at 7.00pm
Thursday 29 September - Peebles Burgh Silver Band - 01721 720409
An Evening of Brass in St. Andrews Leckie Church, Peebles at 7.30pm
Thursday 29 September - Galashiels Town Band - 01896 754983
Informal Concert in the Band Hall, Roxburgh, Galashiels at 7.30pm
Thursday 29 September - Jedforest Instrumental Band - 01835 864238
Open Rehearsal in the Band Hall, The Friars, Jedburgh at 7.00pm
Friday 30 September - St. Ronans Silver Band - 01896 831721
Concert with Scottish Champions Newtongrange Silver Band in Innerleithen Memorial Hall, 7.30pm
Saturday 1 October - Hawick Saxhorn Band - 01450 376316
A Cabaret to Celebrate 150 Years of Hawick Saxhorn Band in Hawick Town Hall at 7.30pm
Sunday 2 October - Selkirk Silver Band - 01750 22339
Borders Slow Melody Contest in Selkirk High School at 11.30am (draw 11am)
