Whitburn and the Co are off on an Open adventure

Best wishes and good luck to the two Scottish bands who will be heading south to Birmingham later this week to take part in the 170th British Open Brass Band Championships on Saturday.

Whitburn, under the musical direction of Michael Fowles, and the cooperation band, led by Glenn Van Looy, will be among 18 bands vying for the Open title in the Midlands city’s Symphony Hall.

This year’s test piece is The Lost Circle, a new commission written by critically acclaimed Belgian composer Jan Van Der Roost.

Both bands will be holding open rehearsals on Thursday evening ahead of their departure for Birmingham.

the cooperation band’s rehearsal will take place at Govan and Linthouse Parish Church, 796 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 2YL. Entry is free and the rehearsal starts at 7.30pm.

Whitburn Band will be rehearsing from 7pm until 9pm at West Calder High School, Limefield Lane, West Calder EH55 8BF. Again entry is free is everyone is welcome.

Tickets for the British Open are available here.