The Scottish merry go round of top conductors continues at pace, with the announcement that Andrew Duncan, the former MD of the Whitburn Band has agreed to conduct rivals Scottish Co-op at the forthcoming British Open.

Announcement

The announcement rather mirrors the decisions of former Scottish Co-op MDs Russell Gray and Allan Ramsay, both of whom have conducted Whitburn at major contests in the last couple of years, whilst Russell Gray has returned back to Scottish Co-op to take them to the West Lothian title recently.

I am delighted to be taking the Scottish Co-op Band to this prestigious competition. This will be my first time working with the band and I am really looking forward to itAndrew Duncan

Pleased

Iain Howie, manager of the Co-op told 4BR: "I am very pleased that Andrew has agreed to conduct the band, for the first time, at this major competition.

"His musical background as a composer, arranger, conductor, adjudicator and performer is already well — known in brass band circles and I am sure he will use his wide experience to full advantage in the forthcoming rehearsals with the band."

Delighted

Andrew himself commented to 4BR: "I am delighted to be taking the Scottish Co-op Band to this prestigious competition. This will be my first time working with the band and I am really looking forward to it.

"I always think it is nice to perform a completely new piece of music and the test piece. I am looking forward with anticipation to the fresh musical challenges Edward Gregson’s test piece will present".