The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) has announced that the adjudication panel for the Scottish Open Championship, to be held at Perth Concert Hall later this year, shall comprise Howard Snell, Hannes Buchegger and Simon Dobson.

Outstanding

SBBA's Event Manager, Peter Fraser MBE, told 4BR: "Since taking the decision to opt for open adjudication at the contest, we have been aware of the importance of engaging musicians of the highest calibre. We are therefore delighted that we have been able to attract three such outstanding musicians in Howard Snell, Hannes Buchegger and Simon Dobson to Perth."

Finest musicians

Peter added: "Howard Snell is one of the finest musicians ever to grace brass banding, while Hannes Buchegger has made a tremendous impact on the European banding scene as the inspirational conductor of Brass Band Oberösterreich.

"Simon Dobson is a rare talent who will bring a unique insight as the composer of the test piece. We are extremely confident that our 'new' method of adjudication, of which more will be announced in the near future, will be well served by three highly regarded professionals."

I think that having three judges working separately in the open is an excellent compromise to a difficult problem and it is good to see that the SBBA is exploring new avenues in adjudicationHoward Snell

Delighted

During a visit from his home in France to the Royal Academy of Music, Howard Snell commented: "Having spent a considerable part of my childhood and much of my professional life in Scotland, I'm delighted to have been engaged to adjudicate at the Scottish Open.

"I'm also very pleased that the SBBA has commissioned a new work from Simon Dobson and, in addition to getting to know the score well in advance of the event, I'm looking forward to meeting and working with both the composer and Hannes Buchegger."

Excellent compromise

The former double National winning conductor added: "I'm very mindful of the effort that goes into a performance by the players and conductors, so it is vital that the adjudicators are thoroughly familiar with the music, so I will be trying to do the best job I can.

"It is a few years since I last adjudicated at a brass band contest, but I think that having three judges working separately in the open is an excellent compromise to a difficult problem and it is good to see that the SBBA is exploring new avenues in adjudication as well as all the other fine work it is doing these days."