Strong line-ups for Scottish Open and Band Supplies Challenge
THE line-ups have been announced for the Scottish Open and Band Supplies Scottish Challenge contests.
Both competitions are due to take place in Perth Concert Hall on Saturday, November 28 and form part of the Scottish Festival of Brass, which also incorporates the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships.
The Scottish Open, supported by Besson, will get underway at 1.30pm. It will see 15 bands performing a new commission by Howard Snell, entitled Gallery, in a bid to impress adjudicators Philip Sparke, David Hirst and the composer himself.
Blackburn and Darwen (Huw Thomas)
Bon Accord Silver Band (Steve Malcolm)
Dalmellington Band (Richard Evans)
Fishburn Band (Joe Cook)
Kingdom Brass (Allan Ramsay)
Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan)
Marsden Band (John Hinckley)
NASUWT Riverside Band (Stephen Malcolm)
Oldham (Lees) Band (John Collins) WD
Rainford (Gareth Brindle)
The Co-operative Funeralcare Band (Bryan Allen)
The Kirkintilloch Band (Raymond Tennant)
Unison Kinneil Band (Craig Anderson)
Whitburn (Professor Nicholas Childs)
Yorkshire Imperial Band (Stig Maersk)
Carrie Boax, president of the Scottish Brass Band Association, said: "This year's Scottish Open sees a strong line-up of bands taking to the stage in Perth for what I know will be a tremendous day of contesting. The event continues to grow in stature and that is reflected by the fact seven bands are travelling from England to take part.
"The Scottish Brass Band Association has a proud history of commissioning new works and we are delighted that this year's contest will feature Gallery, from the pen of Howard Snell. That, combined with the impressive line-up, all adds up to form an event which can't be missed."
The Band Supplies Scottish Challenge starts at 9am on November 28 and will see 13 bands compete for the prizes with works that celebrate the compositional career of Edward Gregson, who celebrated his 70th birthday this year. The adjudicators are Stan Lippeatt and Bruce Fraser (voice-over).
Barrhead Burgh Band (Brian Keachie)
Bo'ness and Carriden (Colin Mckenzie)
Campbeltown Brass (Gordon Evans MBE)
Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman)
Dunaskin Doon (Gary Williams)
Johnstone (Martyn Ramsay)
Mactaggart Scott Loanhead Band (Kenny Letham)
Newtongrange Silver (Mike Marzella)
Penicuik Silver Band (Stuart Black)
Shotts St Patrick's Brass (Andrew Duncan)
St David's Brass (John A Dickson)
The Bathgate Band (Anne Crookston)
Tullis Russell Mills Band (Paul Drury)
Alan Douglas, contest controller of the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge, said: "The Challenge event will feature some of the finest bands from the first to the fourth sections playing a wealth of terrific music by Edward Gregson.
"With music choices which include Dances and Arias, Connotations and Voices of Youth, listeners will be treated to a wonderful morning of music making from one of the greatest living composers for brass band."
