Saturday 5th November sees no less than 23 bands descend on the ‘muckle toon’ of Langholm in the Scottish Borders to compete in the popular Borders Entertainment Contest.

Unique day

Now in it's 11th year, the contest for bands in Sections 2 — 4, organised by the Scottish Borders Brass Band Association, has become a unique day in the Scots banding calendar.

The event is also one of the few contests where there is a musical theme each year.

Musical tribute

This year, to mark the sad passing of Goff Richards, each of the 18 bands in the senior contest will be required to play, as part of their 15-minute programme, at least one of his pieces.

There is also a sense of innovation too with a pre-draw and open adjudication, with one judge giving written remarks and the other recording their onto a CD along with a recording of the band's performance as it happens.

Success

Already in use at wind band contests, the approach was tried successfully at a recent solo competition in Selkirk.

A spokesperson told 4BR: "The Association is pleased that the experiment is being looked at for potential use in other Scottish contests, and indeed, we would be interested in feedback from any of the competing bands, players or conductors!"

The highly respected duo of Archie Hutchison and Stan Lippeatt will undertake the adjudication duties, whilst local music teacher Sarah Berker will judge the entertainment efforts. The Borders very own Alasdair Hutton will compere the day.

As with the rest of Scotland, there is great emphasis on youth in our area, and the youth section of the contest has become a popular lunchtime feature over the last few yearsBorders Contest

Emphasis

The spokesperson added: "As with the rest of Scotland, there is great emphasis on youth in our area, and the youth section of the contest has become a popular lunchtime feature over the last few years."

Five bands from various areas of the Borders will play a short programme in their own separate contest to be judged by Jenny Cook, a respected cornet player and teacher, originally from Scotland, but now living and working on the Isle of Man.

Round off day

To round off the day, the current Scottish Youth Senior Champions, the Scottish Borders Youth Band, will play a short concert programme before the results.

The contest commences at 9.30am in the comfortable surroundings of the Buccleuch Centre, with the promise of an excellent day of brass band music making.

Prizes

As well as a first overall prize, there are awards for the best bands in each section, and also for the keenly contested award to the highest placed Borders band.

There are section prizes for basses and percussion, an overall entertainment prize, and an award to not only the best individual instrumentalist, but also the Dave Young Trophy, named after the legendary Borders musician, and given to the best principal cornet player.

Competing bands:

1. Coalburn Silver (2)
2. Dumfries Town (3)
3. St. Ronan's Silver (2)
4. Croy Parish (2)
5. Langholm Town (3)
6. Dunfermline Town (4)
7. Buckhaven & Methil Miners (3)
8. Hawick Saxhorn (4)
9. Tullis Russell Mills (2)
10. Selkirk Silver (3)
11. Irvine & Dreghorn (2)
12. Penicuik Silver (4)
13. Peebles Burgh (3)
14. Shotts St. Patrick's (2)
15. Jedforest Instrumental (3)
16. Dunaskin Doon (2)
17. Annan Town (2)
18. Dysart Colliery (4)

Youth Bands:

1. Peebles Burgh Junior
2. St.Ronan's Future
3. Abbey Brass (Jedforest)
4. Langholm Junior
5. Hawick Saxhorn Junior