The Scottish Brass Band Association has informed 4BR that entries are now being sought for their popular Scottish Festival of Brass series of contests.

Held over two weekends in November in venues across the country, the festival encompasses the Scottish Open, Band Supplies Scottish Challenge and Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships.

Brass players visiting the events will also be able to take advantage of a series of workshops and masterclasses, with funding made available by the Youth Music Initiative.

Scottish Open

The Blue Riband Scottish Open own-choice contest will be held at Perth Concert Hall on Saturday 26th November, with Carrie Boax, SBBA President, telling 4BR: "This year's Scottish Open is shaping up to be a wonderful event and we have already received widespread interest from bands in Scotland, England and Europe.

The level of music making promises to be extremely high and the contest will offer a packed schedule for listeners of all ages to enjoy."

Band Supplies Scottish Challenge

Meanwhile, bands from the First to Fourth Sections are also being encouraged to enter the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge contest, which will take place on November 19th in the Grand Hall, Kilmarnock.

Bands from outside Scotland are also welcome to take part in the own-choice test piece contest.

Important fixture

Ronnie Tennant, Managing Director of Band Supplies, told 4BR: "The Scottish Challenge is a magnificent event and we are delighted to be supporting what is an important fixture in the banding calendar.

Band Supplies has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with players across the country and it's important to ensure bands continue receiving opportunities to develop and take to the stage in prestigious competitions like this."

Scottish Youth Championship

Forming a core-part of the Scottish Festival of Brass will be the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships on November 26th and 27th.

The competitions offer youth bands and percussion ensembles the opportunity to perform at Perth Concert Hall and receive feedback from a talented adjudication team.

Preparatory and Novice sections will feature on the Saturday with the Development, Percussion, Senior and Premier contests the following day.

Special atmosphere

John Gilmour, contest controller of the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships added: "The atmosphere during the youth championships is always special, but 2016's event promises to be the best yet.

Players and conductors will be able to perform on a magnificent stage, listen to their fellow bands and enjoy a fascinating array of trade stands and exhibitions. There will be something for everyone and we look forward to welcoming bands, conductors and supporters to Perth in November."

This year's Scottish Open is shaping up to be a wonderful event and we have already received widespread interest from bands in Scotland, England and EuropeCarrie Boax, SBBA President

Application forms and more information:

Application forms are available to download from the SBBA website.

Anyone looking for more information on the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships should contact John Gilmour: john.gilmour1@blueyonder.co.uk

Information on the Scottish Open and Band Supplies Scottish Challenge is available by contacting Tom Allan, SBBA secretary: TomAllan@sbba.org.uk