NEWS
page 4 british bandsman
Stage set for
Scottish
Championships
Around 1500 brass musicians from 54 bands
will be descending on Perth Concert Hall on
March 7 and 8 to compete for the honour of
representing Scotland at the National Brass
Band Championships later this year, but
also to celebrate a milestone anniversary of
music making.
The Scottish Brass Band Association marks
its 125th anniversary in 2020 and the
Perth contest forms one of a programme
of monthly events to commemorate this
special year.
SBBA represents 115 senior, youth, school,
community and children’s bands from
the furthest corners of the country – from
Stranraer to Shetland and Lewis and Harris
to Lochgelly.
Events planned to celebrate the 125th
anniversary include
• Easter National Youth Brass Band of
Scotland (NYBBS) school (April 7-10)
• Scottish Senior Solo and Ensemble
finals (May 30)
• Roadshow of Learning (north – June 13
and south – September 5)
• Glasgow Canals Festival (July 25)
Perth Concert Hall will welcome the 2020 Scottish Championships which take place on March 7 and 8.
•
•
•
•
NYBBS summer school and concert
series (August 2-8)
Brass Blast! – come and play (October
24)
Scottish Festival of Brass (November 21
and 28-29)
SBBA celebration event (TBC).
Formed in July 1895, it is believed that
the Scottish Brass Band Association is the
oldest established organisation of its kind
in Europe as no other similar representative
groups were in existence at the time.
Tickets to the Scottish Championships can
be bought at the concert hall on the
Saturday and Sunday, priced at £13.50
(concessions £11.50) including £1.50 booking
Joe to cook up
a storm with
Whitburn Since relocating to Norway, he has
continued his career as a freelance tuba
soloist, conductor and teacher. He has
conducted Fjell Brass and Krohnengen Brass
Band, and conducted Manger Musikklag to
victory at the Oslo Brass Festival in 2018 and
2019.
Whitburn Band is to welcome Joe Cook as
its conductor at the forthcoming Scottish
Championships as it seeks to reclaim the
title in Perth Concert Hall. Joe said: “I am very much looking forward to
working with Whitburn at the forthcoming
Scottish Championships. It is a real privilege
to work with a band with such a rich and
successful history, and one that continues to
strive for excellence.”
As the principal Eb bass player with Black
Dyke Joe won the British Open, National
Finals and the European Championships as
well as touring the world as a renowned solo
performer.
Charlie Farren, chairman of Whitburn Band,
said: “We are all looking forward to the
Scottish Championships in this, our 150th
fee per ticket per day.
Current Scottish Championship title holders
are the cooperation band from Glasgow
(Championship), Kirkintilloch (First
Section), Newmains and District (Second),
Irvine and Dreghorn (Third) and Barrhead
Burgh (Fourth).
Carrie Boax, SBBA president, said: “Get
involved and share what’s happening as part
of your Scottish Championships journey.
“We want to see your photos and comments.
Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
@TheSBBA – tag us and use the hashtags
#sbbaevents #sbbavolunteers #sbbaedu-
cates.”
Joe Cook will conduct Whitburn in Perth.
anniversary year.
“Joe is a very talented musician and we
are delighted he will be taking us to the
competition.”
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