The Midlothian Schools Brass Band are determined to make a real mark this year at their annual Festival of Music concert.

The event used to be held in a 300 seater local venue, but this year the decision has been made to move the concert to The Edinburgh Corn Exchange with a capacity of up to 1000.

Meeting up

The band will meet for a series of rehearsal days under the baton of conductor Andrew Duncan, which will allow many more pupils to take part.

The band also hope that for the first time in many yearsthat they will take part in the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships in Perth in November, again with Andy Duncan at the helm.

Exciting things are planned for some of our other ensembles too so it should be a good year for music in MidlothianDavid McLeod

Third band

A new addition this year will be the formation of a training band which will enable the organisation to get younger pupils involved at a much earlier stage. There is also the possibility of a third band taking place alongside the other two.

With this new format to launch the band has invited Fodens Richardson to launch the initiative with a series of masterclasses and evening concert in the Dalkeith Schools Community Campus.

Commitment

David McLeod, acting music officer, told 4BR: "Midlothian has a rich tradition in the field of brass, with several pupils winning titles at national levels over the last few years, and the Foden's concert, along with the new format of the Midlothian Schools Brass Band shows a commitment from the regional to build on that.

"Exciting things are planned for some of our other ensembles too so it should be a good year for music in Midlothian!"