*
banner

Scottish contenders prepare for virtual battle

37 bands will lineup this weekend to lock entertainment horns to claim the prizes at the Whitburn Band Virtual Festival.

Whir
  The festival will be broadcast free over the weekend of the 25th-27th June

Thirty-seven bands from across Scotland are getting ready to perform as part of the forthcoming Whitburn Band Virtual Festival.

The event, which will be presented by professional Musical Director Prof Nicholas Childs, will be broadcast free on Whitburn Band's YouTube channel over the weekend of Friday 25th — Sunday 27th June.

Six sections

Bands will compete in six sections, while hosts Whitburn, Whitburn Heartlands and Whitburn Youth Band will also give a short Gala Concert on the Sunday evening before the announcement of the results.

It all kicks off at 6.00pm on Friday with the Fourth Section and Third Section competitions.

This will be followed on Saturday (6.00pm), when the Second Section and First Section bands perform.

The festival will conclude on Sunday (4.00pm) when you will be able to enjoy the Youth and Percussion Ensembles before the main Championship Section event. This will be followed by the Gala Concert before the announcement of the results.

The Festival is supported by Creative Scotland, Besson, Just Music, Band Supplies and the Scottish Brass Band Association.

Looking forward

Band Chairperson, Charlie Farren told 4BR: "We are all looking forward to our Virtual Festival, which will be a major showcase of talent from across the Scottish banding community and a celebration of music in these tough times.

We hope the audience will enjoy watching and supporting all the bands, and we hope people also enjoy the Gala Concert features from Whitburn, Whitburn Heartlands and Whitburn Youth Bands."

Schedule:
Friday 25th June (6.00pm)

Fourth Section:


Adjudicators: Alison Hall, Chris Shanks, Caroline Farren

1. Galashiels Town
2. Dunfermline Town
3. MacTaggart Scott Loanhead
4. Kilmarnock Concert Brass
5. Newland Concert Brass
6. Coalburn Intermediate

Third Section:


Adjudicators: Scott Kerr, Caroline Farren, Holly Bennett

1. Whitburn Heartlands
2. Langholm Town
3. Dysart Colliery Silver

Saturday 26th June (6.00pm)

Second Section:


Adjudicators: Bryan Allen, Heather McMillan, Chris Shanks

1. St. David's Brass
2. Broxburn & Livingston
3. Annan Town
4. Lochgelly
5. Selkirk Silver
6. Irvine & Dreghorn Brass

First Section:


Adjudicators: Scott Kerr, Chris Bradley, Evelyn Bradley

1. Coalburn Silver
2. Newmilns & Galston Brass
3. Kingdom Brass
4. Campbeltown Brass
5. Johnstone

Sunday 27th June (4.00pm)

Youth/Percussion Ensembles:


Adjudicators: Holly Bennett, Heather McMillan, Evelyn Bradley

1. Coalburn Bronze Band
2. Loanhead Brass Roots/Youth
3. St. David's Brass Youth
4. Irvine & Dreghorn Brass Youth
5. Perth & Kinross Schools' Percussion Ensemble
6. Scottish Borders Youth Brass Band
7. Whitburn Youth
8. Brass Sounds Inverclyde Youth Ensemble
9. Stranraer Brass Youth
10. Abbey Brass Jedforest
11. Riverside Youth
12. Kirkintilloch Youth
13. Coalburn Silver Band Percussion Academy

Championship Section:


Adjudicators: Bryan Allen, Chris Bradley, Alison Hall

1. Dunaskin Doon
2. Kirkintilloch
3. Unison Kinneil
4. Bo'ness & Carriden

Gala Concert featuring Whitburn Band, Whitburn Heartlands Band and Whitburn Youth Band will take place before the announcement of the results.

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    


Besson Horizons

New Horizons Exchange links UK and Swiss youth again

June 6 • The Besson Horizon programme will once again see youngsters from the National Youth Bands of Great Britain and Switzerland enjoy reciprocal musical trips.


British Open

High demand for premium tickets for British Open

June 5 • Premium tickets for the British Open are starting to become increasingly limited — so don't miss out.


Chav Brass

Chav Brass set for serious fun at Whit Friday

June 5 • The scallywags of the Whit Friday circuit will be performing with serious ambition this year as they seek to inspire the next generation with a mix of DJ Sammy and Eric Ball...


Whit Friday

2025 Tameside Whit Friday details confirmed

June 4 • From start times to prize money, contact details and essential information — the details of the Tameside Whit Friday contests have been announced.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Epping Forest Band

June 6 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Chelmsford Silver Bnad

June 6 • Front row cornet, solo horn & trombone players. We are a friendly, active non competition band established 75 years performing regularly in Chelmsford & Essex. Rehearsals averaging 26 players on Wednesday evenings at Broomfield Methodist Church Chelmsford


HYDE BAND

June 5 • WE CURRENTLY HAVE PLAYER VACANCIES FOR BB BASS, BARITONE & EUPHONIUM. Join our friendly 1st Section Band in the New forest, working with our Musical Director: Ben Halstead on a varied programme of concerts and contests. Rehearsals Mon & Thurs 8-10


Alan Widdop


Conductor, Brass teacher, Adjudicator (ABBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd