*
banner

MSLBBA Solo & Ensemble Contest

It's a bit of a mouthful but there is plenty on offer in Musselburgh next month for budding soloists and ensembles — all under the eye of Les Neish.

 

Mid Scotland and Lothian Brass Band Association (formerly Edinburgh Charities Band Association) will hold their annual solo and ensemble contest in Musselburgh East Community Centre on November 8th.

Break Out

The timetable will include two ‘break-out’ sessions where the adjudicator will deliver a masterclass.

The adjudicator is Les Neish, principal tuba with Foden’s Band, the current British Open Champion. Masterclasses are open to both competitors and non competitors and are free of charge. The accompanist for all sections is Fiona Dixon.

Timetable – Subject to entry levels.

MSLBBA will attempt to run to this schedule but reserve the right to alter timings as necessary.

The timetable will include two ‘break-out’ sessions where the adjudicator will deliver a masterclassOrganisers

Timetable:

Assemble & roll-call: 9:10am
Junior Draw: 9:15am

Start of Junior Ensembles: 9:30am
Start of Junior Solos: 9:50am
Approx time. The Junior solos start immediately after the Junior ensembles

Intermediate roll call & draw: 10:00am
Start of Intermediate Ensembles: 11:15am
Approx time. The Intermediate ensembles start immediately after the Junior solos

Start of Intermediate Solos: 11:40am
Approx time. The intermediate solos will start immediately after the Intermediate ensembles.

Youth roll call & draw: 12:30pm

Announcement of results & presentation of prizes – Intermediate & Youth contests: 13:00pm
Approx time. The adjudicator & accompanist will have a break immediately after the intermediate soloists finish.

Breakout: 13:30pm
Approx time. This will take place after the awards presentation. The adjudicator invites the morning’s prizewinners and competitors to take part in a masterclass/workshop session.

Open roll call and draw: 14:00pm
Start of Youth Ensembles: 14:00pm
Approx time — the Youth ensembles will start immediately after the breakout.

Start of Youth Solos: 14:30pm
Approx time — the Youth solos will start immediately after the Youth ensembles

Start of Open Ensembles: 15:30pm
Approx time — the Open ensembles will start immediately after the Youth solos

Start of Open Solos: 16:00pm
Approx time — the Open solos will start immediately after the open ensembles.

Announcement of Results & presentation of prizes – Open & Youth contests: 16:30pm
Approx time. This will take place immediately after the open contest finishes.

Breakout: 16:45pm
The adjudicator invites the afternoon’s prizewinners and competitors to take part in a masterclass/workshop session.

Prizes:

Best soloist in each category will receive the British Energy trophies, and a keepsake award. Best ensemble in each category will receive the British Energy trophies and keepsake awards.

1st & 2nd runners up in each category receive keepsake awards.

The top 3 places in the junior, intermediate and youth sections will
be invited to compete at the Besson Scottish Solo and Ensemble Finals on Saturday 7 February 2009.

MSLBBA thank British Energy Generation (UK) Ltd., of Torness Nuclear Power Station for their generous donation of the trophies in 2003.

Entries:

Entries should be forwarded to the Secretary on or before the 1st November 2008.

After that date, there will be no fee refund for withdrawals and any late entries will only be accepted with double the entry fee. The absolute deadline will be 5th November, after which no further entries will be accepted.

29 Middleshot Square
Prestonpans
East Lothian
EH32 9RQ
Tel 01875 813142

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    


Black Dyke Band

Plaudit crescendo for Black Dyke Proms appearance

July 21 • Fans and critics alike have joined in a chorus of plaudits and congratulations for Black Dyke Band's BBC Proms appearance alongside soloist David Childs.


Edward

Richard Fife Award won by tuba player

July 21 • Tredegar tuba player Edward Falloon is the 2026 winner of the prestigious Richard Fice Solo competition.


Wright and Round

Wright and Round: Say a Little Prayer (Burt Bacharach arr. Ray Farr)

July 21 • A classic bit of easy listening 1960s magic for any concert programme.


City of Bristol

New leadership roles at City of Bristol

July 21 • Mark Dallas and Andrew Read take on new roles to help push Bristol band forward.


Regent Brass - Brass on the Grass

Wednesday 22 July • The College Garden, Westminster Abbey, Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA


Sherborne Town Band - Free Music in the park

Sunday 26 July • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park

Sunday 9 August • Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park BA14 8AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Chinnor Silver

July 21 • We are looking for PERCUSSIONISTS to join our ambitious,friendly and hard working 1st section band.Rehearsals are on Wednesdays in our own bandroom (no setting up and down). Good but realistic diary of concerts and contests including tour abroad in 2027.


Tintwistle Band

July 16 • We have a vacancy for soprano cornet, and with lots of exciting engagements coming up would love to get this seat filled! As a second section band,we rehearse every Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our bandroom in Tintwistle under the baton of MD Jim Henson.


City of Norwich Brass

July 16 • City of Norwich Brass seeks Front & Back Row Cornets, Solo Euphonium and EEb/BBb Basses. Join a friendly, ambitious band with a varied programme of concerts, contests and community performances. Rehearsals in Hethersett, Norwich.


Sam Fisher

BA (Hons), PGCE, Dip.ABRSM
Conductor, Adjudicator (AoBBA), Composer/Arranger, Cornet & Flugelhorn Soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd