The line-up has been announced for the forthcoming Band Supplies Scottish Challenge contest that takes place in Perth on Saturday 18th November.

A cracking turnout of 24 bands will take to the Perth Concert Hall stage, with the first contender performing at 9.30am to try and impress adjudicators Owen Farr and David Barringer with their own-choice selections.

Timely showcase

The event will provide a timely showcase for Scottish banding following the excellent showing at the recent National Championships of Great Britain in Cheltenham.

In what was nation's best return for over 20 years, Newmains & District claimed the Fourth Section honours, with Bathgate, Newtongrange and Dalkeith & Monktonhallall securing top-six finishes in the First and Second Sections respectively.

Expectancy and ambition

Added to Whitburn's runner-up and sixth place finishes at the British Open and National Finals, and it is little wonder that the Scottish Saltaire has been flying with considerable pride of late according to Ronnie Tennant, the Managing Director of contest sponsors Band Supplies.

"There is a real feeling of expectancy and ambition in Scotland at the moment. The great investment by the Scottish Brass Band Association in grass roots banding over the last 15 years or so is now bearing fruit. That was certainly shown in Cheltenham and has carried on here.

We are delighted to be able to continue our long term support of the event and wish everyone taking part the best of luck."

The contest is open to First, Second, Third and Fourth Section contenders with J36 Brass from Cumbria looking to successfully defend the title they won last year.

Fontana on show

There are prizes for the overall winners, as well as section awards, whilst as an added attraction the remarkable Argentine Schagerl trombonist Lito Fontana will present a workshop and perform in a short concert before the announcement of the results.

There will be more action the following weekend in Perth too, as the Scottish Youth Championships and Scottish Open Championships take place. Further details will be published on 4BR.

There is a real feeling of expectancy and ambition in Scotland at the moment. The great investment by the Scottish Brass Band Association in grass roots banding over the last 15 years or so is now bearing fruitRonnie Tennant

Competing bands:

Annan Town (Andrew Holland)
Arbroath Instrumental (Michael Robertson)
Barrhead Burgh (David Henderson)
Bathgate (Anne Crookston)
Brass Sounds Inverclyde (Christopher Mansfield)
Clackmannan District Brass Paul McKelvie OBE)
Coalburn Silver (Linda Nicholson)
Dunaskin Doon (Chris Bradley)
Dundee Instrumental (John McDonald)
Granite City Brass (Bruce Wallace)
Irvine & Dreghorn Brass (Scott Kerr)
J36 Brass (Andrew Warriner)
Johnstone (Martyn Ramsay)
Kilmarnock Concert Brass (Scott Walker)
Lochgelly (Paul McKelvie OBE)
MacTaggart Scott Loanhead (Andrew Shaw)
Newmains & District (Michael Marzella)
Newmilns & Galston (Alan Cameron)
Newtongrange Silver (Andrew Duncan)
Penicuik Silver (Stuart Black)
Perthshire Brass (George D Annan)
Shotts St. Patricks (Christopher Mansfield)
St. Ronan's Silver (Alan Fernie)
Whitburn Heartlands (Paul Kiernan)