13th SCOTTISH BORDERS FESTIVAL OF BRASS
16 SEPTEMBER - 20 OCTOBER 2012
Now in its thirteeth year, Borders Festival of Brass has grown to become a popular and well-respected Borders-wide event, full of good music, entertainment and fun. The 2012 Festival is set to take place from 16 September-20 October and arrangements are well underway thanks to the efforts of the Scottish Borders Brass Band Association (SBBBA). The Festival will see eleven events organised by each of the member bands and will include several exciting concerts, a long-established solo and quartet competition, a youth band contest and a brass and percussion workshop for school children. Borders Association Chairman, Alan Fernie, commented ""Everyone knows the vital contribution our bands here in the Borders make to the annual Summer Festivals, but of course we play all the year round too! Indeed, brass bands in the Borders are very lucky in the amount of support and help they receive from their respective communities, and this festival both celebrates and acknowledges the breadth of musical activity throughout the region. In particular, we are keen to highlight the youth aspect of all our bands, which is considerable. The SBBBA is held up as an example of good practice throughout the greater brass band world, and we'd like everyone here in the Borders to know about it!."
The packed festival programme kicks-off with on Sunday 16 September when a brass and percussion Workshop for school-age children will be held in Howdenburn School, Jedburgh, 10.00am-5.00pm. Top brass tutors will lead the sessions and the workshop will conclude with a short concert featuring all of the young players at 4.00pm.
Friday 21 September will see Hawick Saxhorn Band In Concert in the High School (7.30pm) when they will be supported the Saxhorn Junior Band.
A brand new event is being held at St. Ronan's Primary School when the Innerleithen Youth Brass Band Contest will take place. Featuring several youth bands from around the Borders and beyond, this is a fantastic opportunity to hear young musical talent.
Saturday 22 September also sees a concert featuring Selkirk Silver Band and Selkirk Junior Band in the Victoria Hall, Selkirk at 7.30pm.
Moving back up the Tweed Valley on Friday 28 September it's the turn of Peebles Burgh Silver Band to present their autumn concert in the Burgh Hall at 7.30pm on. The concert, this year, will have a Scottish flavour.
The following evening (Saturday 29 September) the action moves to Innerleithen where St. Ronan's Silver Band will appear in concert in the Memorial Hall (7.30pm). The concert will feature St. Ronan's Future Band.
The annual Borders Slow Melody contest will take place on Sunday 30 September. Organised by Selkirk Silver Band it is to be held in the Selkirk Victoria Hall, commencing at 12 noon. This will be a showcase of some of the best brass instrumentalist in the area.
Then on Tuesday 2 October, Langholm Junior Band will present a concert in the Buccleuch Centre at 7.00pm.
Unfortunately the main Junior Band has depleted in numbers in the last month and we are down to 10 regular players with the additional help from 6 senior players but they sound great and would appreciate your support.
Also the evening will highlight the young learners (plus 1 adult) we have who are playing in their first concert playing the first basic junior band music (arranged by Alan Fernie). We hope that these 6 players will enjoy the experience and stay with us for a long time to come.
Langholm Town Band can boast that we give children the opportunity of FREE tuition and FREE instruments which is rare these days. We don't ask for a penny from them for anything. If the children in the D & G area want to learn a musical instrument it costs them nearly £250 a year and people these days don't have the money to pay for this luxury which is a real shame.
The following weekend (Saturday 6 October) it is the turn of Galashiels Town Band when they will hold a joint concert with their youth groups along with the wonderful Scottish Borders Youth Brass Band in Trinity Church at 7.30pm.
Then, later in the month, Jedforest Instrumental Band is presenting a concert featuring internationally renowned percussionist, Simone Rebello. This final event takes place in Jedburgh Town Hall at 7.30pm on Saturday 20 October.
Full programme:
Sunday 16 September ~ SBBBA ~ 01750 725213
Youth Brass & Percussion Workshops
Howdenburn School, Jedburgh at 10.00am, Open Concert at 4.00pm
Friday 21 September ~ Hawick Saxhorn Band ~ 01450 376316
In Concert in Hawick High School at 7.30pm
Saturday 22 September ~ St. Ronan's Silver Band ~ 01896 831721
Innerleithen Youth Brass Band Contest in St. Ronan's School at 10.30am
Saturday 22 September ~ Selkirk Silver Band ~ 01750 22339
Concert with Selkirk Silver Band in Selkirk Victoria Hall at 7.30pm
Friday 28 September ~ Peebles Burgh Silver Band ~ 0131 661 1426
Autumn Concert in Peebles Burgh Hall at 7.30pm
Saturday 29 September ~ St. Ronan's Silver Band ~ 01896 831721
Concert featuring St. Ronan's Silver Band & Future Band
in Innerleithen Memorial Hall at 7.30pm
Sunday 30 September ~ Selkirk Silver Band ~ 01750 22339
Borders Slow Melody Contest in Selkirk Victoria Hall at 12 noon
Tuesday 2 October ~ Langholm Junior Band ~ 01387 380425
Concert in Buccleuch Centre, Langholm, 7.00pm
Saturday 6 October ~ Galashiels Town Band ~ 01896 754983
Concert with Galashiels Town, Youth & Junior Bands and Scottish Borders Youth Band
Trinity Church, High Street, Galashiels, 7.30pm
Saturday 20 October ~ Jedforest Instrumental Band ~ 07932370116
Concert with Guest Soloist Simone Rebello in Jedburgh Town Hall at 7.30pm
The BORDERS FESTIVAL of BRASS is promoted by the
SCOTTISH BORDERS BRASS BAND ASSOCIATION (SBBBA)
Further information from:
Keith Belleville, 21 Miller Street, Innerleithen, EH44 6QR
Tel: (01896) 831721 ~ Email: KJBelleville@aol.com
