The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) has announced that a revised version of Howard Snell's evocative arrangement of the Hector Berlioz overture 'Waverley' will test the competitors at the Scottish Open Championship in November.

In an inventive move, each band will also be asked to perform a fanfare and concert march arranged by Howard, who will be one of the adjudicators for the event on Saturday 23rd November at Perth Concert Hall.

150th anniversary

The decision was made as 2019 is the 150th anniversary of the death of Berlioz, who was born in La Cote-St -Andre in 1803 and who died in Paris in March 1869.

The 'Grande Overture: Waverley' was first performed at the Paris Conservatoire in the May 1828. It bears the quotation: "Dreams of love and Lady's charms/Give place to honour and to arms", and is dedicated to the composer's maternal uncle Colonel Felix Marmion.

It is loosely inspired by Walter Scott's fictional novel of the same name, written in 1814 (the quotation comes from Scott), concerning the admirable honour shown both in battle and love by it eponymous hero Edward Waverley, during the time of 1745 Jacobite uprising. A huge literary success it sealed its author's reputation.

'Waverley' was written just four years before Scott's death (Berlioz also wrote the overture 'Rob Roy' inspired by Scott's later novel) after the composer first read it in 1825.

In his memoirs Berlioz stated that he started it sometime in 1826, abandoning it and then returning to complete it in February 1828.

Howard Snell's arrangement was used as the Championship Section Area test-piece in 1984 and a revised version will be used for this contest4BR

New commission

Howard Snell's arrangement was used as the Championship Section Area test-piece in 1984 and a revised version will be used for this contest.

It was also confirmed that he will write a new commission for 2020 Scottish Open to celebrate 125 years of the Scottish Brass Band Association.

Challenge Shield

SBBA also confirmed that the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge Shield will take place at Perth Concert Hall on Saturday 30th November, with bands from Section 1-4 performing own-choice works.

In another inventive move, and with the contest falling on St Andrew's Day, competitors are asked to perform works by Scottish composers.

Details of the Scottish Youth Band Championships on 23rd/24th November will be announced shortly.

Entry forms:

Scottish Open Championship: sbbapresident@gmail.com
Scottish Challenge Shield: www.sbba.org.uk or fraserp3@virginmedia.com