The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) has announced that this year’s Besson Solo & Ensemble Competition will be taking place this weekend at the Howden Park Centre, Livingston, in association with the famous musical instrument sponsors and West Lothian Council.

Big line up

Approximately 45 soloists and 20 ensembles have already qualified for Saturday’s finals in the Junior, Intermediate and Youth sections, as well as Sunday’s Open sections, including Solo (brass or percussion), Slow Melody (brass), Ensemble (brass or percussion) and the newly introduced Duet Section (brass).

The Association will welcome virtuoso soloists Michael Dodd and Les Neish as adjudicators for the brass sections, together with professional percussionist Iain Sandilands as the judge for the percussion sections.

Generous sponsorship help

A SBBA spokesperson told 4BR: "The generosity of Besson, in conjunction with West Lothian Council sees the event taking place at a superb venue, with the addition of Besson Clinicians and the generous prizes of a student cornet for each of the weekend’s winning brass ensembles."

Additional awards and assistance are being provided by British Bandsman, World of Brass and SN Percussion.

SBBA is hoping to continue to build on the event’s success over the last few years, with an encouraging growth in entries, and with a warm welcome offered to supporters and competitors alike4BR

First draw

The first draw takes place at 9.30am on Saturday morning, with the competition commencing at 10.00am. Sunday starts with the Percussion draw at 10.00am, with the Percussion Section commencing at 10.30am.

SBBA is hoping to continue to build on the event’s success over the last few years, with an encouraging growth in entries, and with a warm welcome offered to supporters and competitors alike.