Brass band supporters in Scotland will be looking ahead with keen anticipation to the Scottish Open weekend in Perth next month.

Record

A record total of 60 bands will be competing in the Scottish Open, Challenge Shield and Youth Championships on the weekend of the 20th & 21st November in Perth’s wonderful Concert Hall – venue for the 2014 European Championships.

The event will be the culmination of Scottish Brass Band Week, which will run from 12th-21st November, with local events taking place throughout Scotland.

The event will be the culmination of Scottish Brass Band Week, which will run from 12th-21st November, with local events taking place throughout Scotland4BR

Open

With open adjudication at each contest, the draws have been made public, with the contest opening at 9.00am on Saturday with the 12 entries in the Challenge Shield.

Impressive line up

There is an impressive line up of championship bands competing for the ‘Open’ crown later in the day, with a host of domestic rivals pitched against seven contenders from England, with Woodfalls making the long trip up from the south coast to try and claim the title.

A distinguished trio of Hannes Buchegger, Simon Dobson and Howard Snell will judge the 15 bands independently, with their marks aggregated to decide the winners.

New work

Simon Dobson’s new work '...And when the river Told...' which has been commissioned by the Scottish Brass Band Association, is based on the eventful past of the Royal Burgh of Perth and the river Tay which runs through it. Much of the musical content has been inspired by the traditional music of the Highland bagpipes.

Gala Concert

The first day of the Festival climaxes with a ‘European’ style Gala concert and results ceremony, featuring Brighouse & Rastrick Band, conducted by Richard Evans.

The band's President, Paul Beaumont, commented: "It is a particular pleasure for Brighouse & Rastrick to be involved with the SBBA, as it continues to extend its own boundaries and those of band contesting itself."

Orders of play:

Scottish Challenge Shield:
9.00 am

City of Discovery (Bruce Wallace)
Lochgelly Silver
Dumfries Town(Peter Heyes)
Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman)
Johnstone Silver (Raymond Tennant)
Bo’ness and Carriden (Bede Williams)
Tayport Instrumental (Frank Culross)
Langholm Town (Alan Fernie)
Dalkeith & Monktonhall (James Chamberlain)
St. David’s Brass (John Dicksom)
Kilmarnock Concert Brass (Craig Anderson)
Irvine and Dreghorn (John Boax)

Scottish Open:
1.00pm

Bon-Accord Silver (John Maines)
Fishburn
Woodfalls (Gareth Pritchard)
Kirkbymoorside Brass
Kirkintilloch (Allan Ramsey)
United Co-op Milnrow
Dalmellington (Alan Morrison)
Whitburn
Newtongrange (Nigel Boddice MBE)
Bactiguard Wire Brass (Paul Andrews)
Kingdom Brass (Andrew Duncan)
Pemberton Old JJB (Mark Benthem)
Felling (Stephen Malcolm)
Co-operative Funeralcare (Michael Fowles)
Unison Kinneil