The reigning Scottish, Grand Shield and Scottish Open champion made their biennial Dunblane Arts Guild visit to the magnificent surroundings of city’s cathedral to showcase their concert talents to a packed and appreciative audience.

Super form

With the trio of well-polished trophies on show just to emphasise the substance of their latest contesting renaissance, little wonder they were in super form right from the opening drum beats and choreographed entry of three movements from Elgar Howarth’s splendid ‘Music from the Elizabethan Court’ - the antiphonal effects ringing in stereophonic splendour.

More audience friendly fayre came after the break, with music from the film ‘Rocky’ providing a thumping introduction to solo items and a stylish take on Howard Snell’s clever arrangement of the suite from ‘An American in Paris’.

Principal cornet Chris Bradley with an effortless ‘Concertpiece’ by James Curnow; solo trombone Paul Kiernan colourfully exotic on ‘Bolivar’; solo horn Michael Fleming sparkling on ‘Capriccio Brillante’ and Caroline Farren giving a tasteful rendition of ‘Concerto d'Aranguez’ also made their mark - the latter as part of a ‘Brassed Off!’ homage that included the familiar sounds of ‘Death or Glory’, ‘Irish Tune from County Derry’ and the ‘Finale’ from ‘William Tell’ to round off the first half.

Confident elan

More audience friendly fayre came after the break, with music from the film ‘Rocky’ providing a thumping introduction to solo items and a stylish take on Howard Snell’s clever arrangement of the suite from ‘An American in Paris’.  

The rousing sounds of ‘Reunion and Finale’ from 'Gettysburg’ almost shock the foundations of the medieval cathedral before an encore of ‘Amazing Grace’ arranged by Wiliam Himes sent everyone home with their hearts lifted in patriotic pride by a band performing with an unquestionable amount of confident elan.

Ewan Murray