There will be a strong line-up of cross border contenders trying to get their hands on the Scottish Open title in Perth next month.

The contest rounds off a busy day which starts with the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge contest, where thirteen domestic rivals battle for a share of the £1,000 prize fund.

Both competitions will place in Perth Concert Hall (above) on Saturday November 28th and form part of the Scottish Festival of Brass, which also incorporates the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships on Saturday 21st November.

Scottish Challenge

The Band Supplies Scottish Challenge starts at 9.00am and see bands perform works that celebrate the compositional career of Edward Gregson — including 'Dances & Arias', 'Laudate Dominum', 'Connotations', 'Voices of Youth' and 'The Plantagenets'.

Honoured

Speaking to 4BR, Edward Gregson, who celebrated his 70th birthday this year said; "I'm deeply honoured that SBBA has undertaken this generous musical gesture, as the works cover a significant part of my compositional career for the brass band medium.

I hope the bands get the same enjoyment from tackling them as I did in writing them!"

Superb compositions

SBBA contest controller Alan Douglas, added: "We are sure the bands from the First to the Fourth Section will thoroughly enjoy performing these superb compositions.

The audience will also be in for a real treat with a wonderful morning of music making from one of the greatest living composers for brass band."

Appeal

That view was also shared by contest sponsor Band Supplies. "This is a great opportunity for the competitors to enjoy themselves playing music from an iconic composer which appeals to everyone in the banding movement,"MD, Ronnie Tennant told 4BR.

It's a privilege to be able to support this event — and I'm sure the music will provide everyone with a great contesting treat."

Scottish Open

The Scottish Open Championship, supported by Besson Musical Instruments, will get underway at 1.30pm and will see 15 bands performing a new commission by Howard Snell, entitled 'Gallery' as they look to get their hands on the £3,000 first prize.

Howard Snell will be joined on the open adjudication panel by the composing duo of Philip Sparke and Alan Fernie after it was confirmed that David Hirst had taken the decision to step down from his role due to a potential conflict of interest.

Strong line-up

SBBA President, Carrie Boax, told 4BR: "This year's Scottish Open has attracted a strong line-up of bands from both sides of Hadrian's Wall for what promises to be a tremendous contest.

SBBA 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, adds up to form an event which can't be missed."

The adjudicators for the Scottish Challenge Shield are Stan Lippeatt and Bruce Fraser (voice-over).

Both competitions will place in Perth Concert Hall on Saturday November 28th and form part of the Scottish Festival of Brass, which also incorporates the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships on Saturday 21st November4BR

Scottish Open:
Adjudicators: Howard Snell, Philip Sparke, Alan Fernie

Blackburn & Darwen (Huw Thomas)
Bon Accord Silver Band (Steve Malcolm)
Co-operative Funeralcare Band (Bryan Allen)
Dalmellington Band (Richard Evans)
Fishburn Band (Joe Cook)
Kingdom Brass (Allan Ramsay)
Kirkintilloch Band (Raymond Tennant)
Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan)
Marsden Band (John Hinckley)
NASUWT Riverside Band (Stephen Malcolm)
Oldham (Lees) Band (John Collins)
Rainford (Gareth Brindle)
Unison Kinneil Band (Craig Anderson)
Whitburn (Professor Nicholas Childs)
Yorkshire Imperial Band (Stig Maersk)

Scottish Challenge:
Adjudicators: Stan Lippeatt, Bruce Fraser

Barrhead Burgh Band (Brian Keachie)
Bo'ness & Carriden (Colin Mckenzie)
Campbeltown Brass (Gordon Evans MBE)
Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman)
Dunaskin Doon (Gary Williams)
Johnstone Silver (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)