Scottish challengers look towards Perth

55 bands will battle for titles and qualification places in Palanga, London and Cheltenham in Perth next month.

The Scottish Brass Band Association has released details of the 55 bands that will take to the stage at Perth Concert Hall on the weekend of the 9th & 10th March.

Not only are there Scottish Championship titles up for grabs, but also invitations to compete at the National Finals in London and Cheltenham later in the year.

First appearance

10 bands will compete in the Championship Section, where Whitburn will look to secure a hat-trick of wins under Prof Nicholas Childs. The contest will also mark the first appearance of the newly named The cooperation band — formerly the Co-operative Funeralcare Band.

Two bands will make their way down to the Royal Albert Hall in October with an invitation to represent the nation at the 2020 European Championships in Palanga also on offer to the winner.

Two bands will also gain invitations for each of the other sections to compete in Cheltenham, whilst SBBA's inclusive ethos sees two bands take to the stage to enjoy performing in the non-competitive 4b Section.

Two bands will make their way down to the Royal Albert Hall in October with an invitation to represent the nation at the 2020 European Championships in Palanga also on offer to the winner4BR

Championship Section:

Sunday 10th March
Adjudicators: Sheona White & Sarah Groarke-Booth
Draw: 12.30pm
Commences: 2.00pm approx.

Bathgate (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
Bon Accord Silver (Stephen Malcolm)
Bo'ness & Carriden (Lee Skipsey)
The cooperation band (Russell Gray)
Dalmellington Band (Erik Janssen)
Dunaskin Doon (Gareth Brindle)
Johnstone Band (Lynda Nicholson)
Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan)
Newtongrange Silver (Andrew Duncan)
Whitburn (Prof Nicholas Childs)

First Section:

Saturday 9th March
Adjudicators: Richard Evans & Sarah Groarke-Booth
Draw: 3.15pm
Commences: 4.45pm

Annan Town (Paul Drury)
Arbroath Instrumental (Robert McDonald)
Campbeltown Brass (Paul Kiernan)
Dalkeith & Monktonhall (James Chamberlain)
Granite City Brass (Bruce Wallace)
Kingdom Brass (Ian Porthouse)
Kirkintilloch (David Roberts)
Newmilns & Galston Band (Alan Cameron)
Tullis Russell (Ray Munday)
Unison Kinneil (Raymond Tennant)

Second Section:

Saturday 9th March
Adjudicators: Sheona White & Brett Baker
Pre Drawn
Commences: 12.45pm approx.

Broxburn & Livingson (John Boax)
Clackmannan & District (Ross Brotherston)
Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman)
Croy Silver (Kenneth Blackwood)
Jedforest Instrumental (Phil Rosier)
Lochgelly Band (Paul McKelvie OBE)
Newmains & District (Michael Marzella)
Selkirk Silver (Charlie Farren)
Shotts St Patrick's ( Andy Shaw)
St. David's Brass (John A Dickson)
St. Ronan's Silver (Kenneth Letham)

Third Section:

Saturday 9th March
Adjudicators: Brett Baker & Leigh Baker
Pre Drawn
Commences: 9.30am

Brass Sounds Inverclyde (Robert Dibden)
Buckhaven & Methil (Andy Shaw)
Dunfermline Town (Michael Marzella)
Dysart Colliery (Kenneth Letham)
Highland Brass (Mark Bell)
Irvine & Dreghorn (Lewis Bettles)
Langholm Town (Chris Shanks)
Perthshire Brass (George D Annan)
Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good)
Whitburn Heartlands (Ian Fleming)

Fourth Section:

Sunday 10th March
Adjudicators: Leigh Baker & Richard Evans
Pre Drawn
Commences: 9.30am

Barrhead Burgh (Alistair Gibson)
Bon Accord Silver 'B' (Jennifer Cook)
Callander Brass (Ian Milligan)
Dundee Instrumental (Robert McDonald)
Forfar Instrumental (Terence Jackson)
Hawick Saxhorn (Stuart Black)
Kilmarnock Concert Brass (Scott Walker)
MacTaggart Scott (George Cameron)
Newland Concert Brass (Simon Railton)
Peebles Burgh (Peter Holmes)
Penicuik Silver (Robert W Fraser)
Stranraer Brass (Angela Miller)