*
banner

Whitburn take Hills and Vales to Edinburgh stage

The Scottish Open champion will make a second appearance at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival.

Whitburn
  The band will be making its second appearance at the prestigious event.

Whitburn Band is looking forward to performing at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival for the second consecutive year.

The Scottish Open champion will perform Sir James MacMillan's poignant oratorio 'All the Hills and Vales Along' with the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) and conductor Christopher Bell. The work was written to commemorate those who died in the First World War.

Sold out

The sold out concert will be held on Friday, August 16th at Greyfriars Kirk, and is part of a five-concert series at the International Festival that will celebrate the 60th birthday of the renowned composer.

Other ensembles performing his works include the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, The Sixteen and the Nash Ensemble, whilst the festival will also feature the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the London Symphony Orchestra led by Sir Simon Rattle.

This event allows the band the opportunity to reconnect with the music of Sir James MacMillan and with Christopher Bell — the musical director for the event. The event promises to be very specialWhitburn Band

Reconnect

It is the second year in a row that Whitburn will perform at the most prestigious arts festival in the world. Last year they played as part of Lau Land at the Leith Theatre to a capacity audience, with Band Chairman Charlie Farren telling 4BR; "The band is delighted to be invited to perform once again at the Festival.

This event allows the band the opportunity to reconnect with the music of Sir James MacMillan and with Christopher Bell — the musical director for the event. The event promises to be very special and we are excited to be associated with what will be great musical spectacle."

Image: David Wilkinson

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Besson

4BR Christmas Quiz

December 26 • How good is your brass band knowledge? Good enough to win a cornet and goodies for a young player?


Special Award

2025 4BR Special Award: Richard Marshall

December 25 • One of the finest cornet players of this or any other brass band generation is the recipient of the 4BR Special Award.


Band of the Year

2025 4BR Band of the Year

December 25 • One band once again stamped its class and authority on the banding world this year — with the promise of even more to come in 2026.


Conductor

2025 4BR Conductor of the Year

December 25 • One conductor stood out on the podium from their counterparts this year.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Dobcross Silver Band

December 29 • We are accepting applications for a 2nd BARITONE PLAYER after the Area contest in March.. As current NW Area 3rd Section Champions and 2025 National Champions we start our journey in the 2nd Section in 2026! Come and join our great Euph/Bari section!


Crewe Brass

December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

December 22 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb BASS player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Duncan Wilson

Bmus(hons), LGSMD
Conductor, Adjudicator (member AoBBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd