St David’s Brass to premiere national finals test piece in local concert

St David’s Brass is hosting a special fundraising Summer Concert at Gorebridge Parish Church on Saturday 6 June in which it will present a local preview of Snow Island, the test piece by French composer Thierry Deleruyelle that the band will play at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in York in September.

The evening marks a major milestone for the Scottish charity band as it celebrates a highly successful year of competition that secured its Third Section qualification for the national stage.

The concert will kick off at 7.00pm, with doors opening 30 minutes earlier. Audiences can expect a diverse and uplifting musical programme designed for music lovers of all ages, blending vibrant contemporary arrangements with traditional brass favourites and standout solo performances.

Snow Island is a complex and mesmerising musical test piece that the band will perform in front of national judges at the UK finals later this year.

"We are incredibly proud to have earned the honour of representing not just Midlothian, but Scotland as a whole, on the national stage," said Stuart Dickson, principal cornet and chairman of St David's Brass.

"Our players and community have poured immense hard work and dedication into this year's successes. This concert is our way of celebrating with the community that supports us, while preparing for the challenge ahead in York."

While admission to the concert is free to ensure the event remains accessible to all local residents, the evening serves as a vital fundraiser. Moving an entire brass band and its equipment to the national finals comes with significant logistical and travel expenses.

Organisers hope the community will rally behind the Gorebridge-based band, ensuring that any donations collected on the night will go directly toward funding the journey to the National Championships.

More information about the event and the band, including its training band and free instrument tuition, can be found at www.stdavidsbrass.co.uk.