Busy time ahead for Bon Accord Silver Band
Bon-Accord Silver Band has completed one of their most successful contesting years by winning the Scottish Challenge Shield. On Saturday 29th November, they saw off competition from ten other Scottish brass bands, from the first and second sections, to triumph at the event held at Perth Concert Hall. This is the first time the band has competed in this event and they have become the first band from the North East of Scotland to win this prestigious prize.
The band of 29 brass and percussion players, conducted by Stephen Malcolm, played Edward Gregson's, "Of Distant Memories (Music in an Olden Style)", which was originally written in 2012 for the British Brass Band Championships National Finals. They were awarded the top prize by three internationally renowned adjudicators who remarked in the critiques of the band that there were "lots of classy sounds" and "excellent solo playing and ensemble work". One adjudicator in particular felt that this was "a tough piece tackled with fine confidence and know how" by a "very capable [and] technically accomplished band".
2014 has been a very successful year for Bon-Accord Silver Band with their conductor Stephen Malcolm at the helm. As well as winning the Scottish Challenge Shield, they gained promotion to the Championship Section in March and then went on to win the Northern Counties Open Contest in May; at this contest they were awarded six of the seven trophies available to them. At the start of 2014, the band also began rehearsing in their new band hall in Kincorth. The building was renovated by the band themselves and the newly sound-proofed and purpose-designed rehearsal room has helped the band achieve significant success since moving in.
The band are looking forward to sharing their success at their next concert, the Bon-Accord Silver Band Christmas Concert and Carol Sing-A-Long, which has become a Christmas tradition amongst many festive revelers in the North East of Scotland. The concert will be held at Ferryhill Parish Church, Aberdeen, on Sunday 14th December at 7pm; tickets are £8 for adults and £5 for concessions and will be available on the door on the night. The band is delighted to have the fantastic Aberdeen Orpheus Choir performing with them this year.
The band are looking to go from strength to strength with a busy festive schedule and contesting calendar for next year. They hope to bring more silverware to the North East in the coming year as they perform all the round country at various concerts and contests
