*
banner

Perth gets ready for cross border Open battle

There will be one heck of a cross border battle in Perth this weekend for the Scottish Open title — with a tasty Challenge Shield aperitif too...

Perth Concert Hall
 

With the 2014 season winding to a close with the European banding nations of Belgium and Switzerland looking to decide its various National Champions in Heist and Montruex on the weekend, there is still just enough room in the domestic contesting calendar to squeeze in one last major event.

Scottish Open

The Scottish Open Championship will take place at Perth Concert Hall on Saturday.

It’s a tasty looking cross border battle featuring 16 bands performing Andrew Duncan’s ‘Cantata for Brass Band and Percussion’, which he states tries to ‘express and encompass many different emotions ranging from despair to ecstasy and from rage to tenderness.’

Judges

Many if not all of those will certainly be on display after the announcement of the results, although the competing bands shouldn’t have too much to complain about as the composer is joined in the open and separate adjudication process by Professor John Miller from the RNCM and fellow composer and conductor Tom Davoren.

Reigning champion

Reigning champion Co-operative Funeralcare will be looking to make it a hat trick of victories under the baton of Allan Ramsay, although they are sure to up against a phalanx of strong home rivals in the likes of former winner Whitburn.

The brace of Kirkintilloch and Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass are joined by Dalmellington and Johnstone make up a formidable domestic presence.

Strong English assault

However, there is also a strong looking assault in prospect from the English contenders — led by former winners Fishburn, who are joined by Reg Vardy, fresh from their top ten finish at the Albert Hall, Shepherd Building Group and NASUWT Riverside from the North of England region.

Yorkshire is represented by the powerful looking trio of Marsden Silver, Rothwell Temperance and Yorkshire Imps, with a confident Red Rose challenge coming from Wingates, Rainford and Blackburn & Darwen.

Challenge Shield

There is also a tasty looking contesting aperitif to whet the taste buds with 11 Scottish banding clans locking horns to claim the Scottish Challenge Shield. The own choice contest kicks the day off at 9.00am, with plenty of great music for the audience and judge’s Nigel Boddice, Duncan Beckley and Robert Richardson to enjoy.

Both contests have been pre-drawn with the results expected at around 1.00pm and 8.00pm.

Andrew Duncan’s ‘Cantata for Brass Band and Percussion’, which he states tries to ‘express and encompass many different emotions ranging from despair to ecstasy and from rage to tenderness.4BR

Scottish Challenge Shield
Adjudicators: Nigel Boddice, Duncan Beckley, Robert Richardson

1. Arbroath Instrumental (Michael Robertson)
2. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman)
3. St. David's Brass (John A. Dickson)
4. Perthshire Brass (Jason Blyth)
5. Granite City Brass (Bruce Wallace)
6. Shott’s St Patricks (Michael Marzella)
7. Bathgate (Anne Crookston)
8. Dalkeith & Monktonhall (James Chamberlain)
9. Tullis Russell Mills (Paul Drury)
10. Bon-Accord Silver (Stephen Malcolm)
11. Unison Kinneil (Craig Anderson)


Scottish Open Championship:
Adjudicators: Tom Davoren, Professor John Miller, Andrew Duncan

1. Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams)
2. Fishburn (Joseph Cook)
3. Whitburn (Michael Fowles)
4. Rainford (Gareth Brindle)
5. Johnstone Silver (Martyn Ramsay)
6. Yorkshire Imperial DUT (Stig Maersk)
7. Shepherd Building Group (Richard Wilton)
8. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan)
9. Kirkintilloch (Raymond Tennant)
10. NASUWT Riverside (Ray Farr)
11. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
12. Reg Vardy (John Roberts)
13. Blackburn & Darwen (Huw Thomas)
14. Wingates (Paul Andrews)
15. Co-operative Funeralcare (Allan Ramsay)
16. Damellington (Archie Hutchison)

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Gregson and Bliss

Gregson and Bliss to challenge National Finalists

March 30 • Significant composer anniversaries will be marked at London and Cheltenham this year.


Youth Brass 2000

Report & Results: 2025 National Youth Championships of Great Britain

March 30 • Youth Brass 2000 reclaims the Championship honours with Shepherd Youth Group taking the Performance title in Hull.


National Youth Champs

Hull ready for National Youth Championships

March 28 • There is a packed day of music making to enjoy at Hymers College in Hull on Saturday with a record field of bands and players taking to the stage.


Breet and Keith

Baker and Wilkinson renew Atlantic connection

March 28 • A 30 year musical friendship has been reconnected between Brett Baker and Dr Keith Wilkinson.


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Bilton Silver at the Musicals

Saturday 5 April • St Andrew's Church, Rugby CV21 3PT


Rushden Town Band - Hope Spring Concert

Saturday 5 April • Hope Methodist Church, Linnets Lane, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8DE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Central Band of the Royal Air Force

Friday 25 April • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Newstead Brass - Under Gaia

Saturday 26 April • Mansfield Palace Theatre. Leeming Street . Mansfield. Nottinghamshire NG18 1NG


Simon Langton Brass

April 1 • Due to forced retirement - Simon Langton Brass (Conductor Keith Demetriou Twyman) has a vacancy for an experienced back row cornet player. Position is negotiable as is a willingness to share your experience with our next generation of cornet players!


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for a full-time Tuba player (position negotiable) . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, IBB are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, M1 J22


Ibstock Brick Brass

April 1 • Midlands Area Champions IBB have an opening for an experienced percussionist. . . Ambitious and enjoying a varied concert/contest program, we are looking forward to the third section finals 2025. Rehearsals Mon/Thu in Coalville, close to M1 J22


Alan Fernie

DRSAM, Dip.NCOS
Arranger, composer, adjudicator, conductor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd