The Scottish Open and Band Supplies Scottish Challenge contests will take place this weekend in Perth Concert Hall.

There promises to be a full day of competition on Saturday starting on the stroke of 9.00am with the two events forming part of the newly branded Scottish Festival of Brass, which also incorporated the recent highly successful Scottish Youth Brass Band Championship.

Challenge kick off

It will all kick off with the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge, where 13 bands will feature works from the pen of Edward Gregson, who this year celebrates his 70th birthday.

The adjudicators are Stan Lippeatt, who will give written remarks, and Bruce Fraser who will provide voice-over remarks.

Competing Bands:

Barrhead Burgh Band (Brian Keachie) — Laudate Dominum
Bathgate Band (Anne Crookston) — Connotations
Bo'ness & Carriden (Colin McKenzie) — Dances and Arias
Campbeltown Brass (Gordon Evans) — Laudate Dominum
Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman) — Connotations
Dunaskin Doon (Gary Williams) — Connotations
Johnstone (Martyn Ramsay) — Dances and Arias
Mactaggart Scott Loanhead (Kenny Letham) — Voices of Youth
Newtongrange Silver (Michael Marzella) — Dances and Arias
Penicuik Silver (Stuart Black) — Laudate Dominum
Shotts St Patrick's Brass (Andrew Duncan) — Connotations
St David's Brass (John A Dickson) — The Plantagenets
Tullis Russell Mills (Paul Drury) — Dances and Arias

It will be followed by the Scottish Open, supported by Besson Musical Instruments, which will get underway at 1.30pm.

It will see 14 bands performing a new commission by Howard Snell, entitled 'Gallery', in a bid to impress adjudicators Philip Sparke, David Hirst and the composer himself.

Competing Bands:

Blackburn & Darwen (Huw Thomas)
Bon Accord Silver Band (Steve Malcolm)
Co-operative Funeralcare Band (Bryan Allen)
Dalmellington Band (Richard Evans)
Fishburn Band (Joe Cook)
Kingdom Brass (Allan Ramsay)
Kirkintilloch Band (Raymond Tennant)
Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass (Charles Keenan)
Marsden Band (John Hinckley)
NASUWT Riverside (Stephen Malcolm)
Rainford (Gareth Brindle)
Unison Kinneil Band (Craig Anderson)
Whitburn (Prof Nicholas Childs)
Yorkshire Imperial Band (Stig Maersk)

It will all kick off with the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge, where 13 bands will feature works from the pen of Edward Gregson, who this year celebrates his 70th birthday4BR

Strong line-up

Carrie Boax, President of the Scottish Brass Band Association, stated: "This year's Scottish Open sees a strong line-up of bands for what will be a tremendous day of contesting. The event continues to grow in stature and that is reflected by the fact six bands are travelling from England to take part.

Carrie added: "The Scottish Brass Band Association has a proud history of commissioning new works and we are delighted that this year's contest will feature 'Gallery', from the pen of Howard Snell."

Terrific music

Alan Douglas, contest controller of the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge, added: "The Challenge event will feature some of the finest bands from the First to the Fourth Sections playing a wealth of terrific music by Edward Gregson.

Listeners will be treated to a wonderful morning of music making from one of the greatest living composers for brass bands."