Borders Festival of Brass
Since
it was first held in 2000, the Borders Festival of Brass has grown
to become a popular and well-respected Borders-wide event, full of
good music, entertainment and fun.
10th
BORDERS FESTIVAL OF BRASS - 19 SEPTEMBER – 4 OCTOBER 2009
Now in its tenth year, Borders Festival of Brass has grown to become a
popular and well-respected Borders-wide event, full of good music,
entertainment and fun. The 10th Festival is set to take
place from 19 September-4 October and arrangements are well underway
thanks to the efforts of the Scottish Borders Brass Band Association.
The Festival will see events organised by many of the member bands and
will include several exciting concerts, a long-established solo and
quartet competition and a brass and percussion workshop for school
children. Borders Association Chairman, Alan Fernie, commented “one
of the main aims is to keep reminding the public about the musical
excellence that exists in our communities in the form of the local
bands. This Festival, with its emphasis on youth, is an ideal
opportunity to do just that.”
The packed festival programme kicks-off with on Saturday 19 September
with a joint concert between Selkirk Silver Band and Selkirk Pipe Band
in the Victoria Hall, Innerleithen at 7.30pm. That same night,
Jedforest Instrumental Band and Abbey Brass (Jedforest) are presenting
a concert in Jedburgh Town Hall at 7.30pm.
The next day (Sunday 20 September) will see a brass and percussion
Workshop for school-age children (Galashiels
Academy, 10.00am-5.00pm).
Top tutors, Alan Fernie, Glen Munroe
and Elaine Stewart will lead the sessions and the
workshop will conclude with a short concert featuring all of the young
players at 4.00pm.
Tuesday 22 September will see a concert by the Langholm Junior Band.
This young, up and coming Band will present their concert in the
Buccleuch Centre, Langholm at 7.00pm.
On to Saturday 26 September and the next event, which will be a
concert held by St. Ronan’s Silver Band in Innerleithen Memorial Hall
(7.30pm). The concert will feature St. Ronan’s Future Band as well as
the main band, along with guest cornet soloist, Scott Forrest from the
Whitburn Band.
Peebles Burgh Silver Band will present a concert on Friday 2 October
in the Burgh Hall at 7.30pm. Peebles will be fresh from their
appearance at the British Finals the weekend before and the concert
will also feature the Junior Band.
The penultimate event will be Hawick Saxhorn Band’s annual Cabaret on
Saturday 3 October and will feature special guests in the Town Hall at
7.30pm.
The annual Borders Slow Melody contest will take place on Sunday 4
October and will draw the Festival to a close. Organised by Selkirk
Silver Band it is to be held in the Knowepark Primary School Selkirk,
commencing at 12 noon (draw, 11.30am). This will be a showcase of
some of the best brass instrumentalist in the area.