Latest News 2019

SCOTTISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019

Thanks to a superb performance at the National Scottish Youth Brass Band championships held at Perth Concert Hall on Sunday, they were delighted to be crowned Scottish champions in the novice section.

The contest required the band to perform a 15-minute programme of music, including one set-piece chosen by the contest organisers.

This year the band based its entire programme on music from the prolific local composer Alan Fernie.

Following a generous donation from the Borders Youth Support Scheme, the band were also able to commission Alan to produce an entirely new and unique piece of the music just for Abbey Brass.

The new piece, called The Jethart Snail, received its world premiere at Perth, and was warmly received by the audience and the contest judges.

Abbey Brass competed in the section against 14 other bands from all over Scotland.

Despite only having a modest 12 youngsters on stage (when some bands were able to field more than 30 players), and with some who only joined the band very recently, they performed a strong and confident set under the expert baton of their conductor, Stuart Black.

Come results time the band were overjoyed to be given a gold award – performances are graded bronze, silver and gold by the judges – and even more delighted to be placed first and crowned Scottish champions.

The band’s manager Neil Ball told The Southern: “This is a great reward for all the hard work, commitment, and hours of practice each player has put in throughout the year.

“It also could not happen without the support Stuart Black and especially the parents who commit to bringing their children to us each week throughout the year.

“The amazing work by the region’s instrumental teachers at schools throughout the Borders also needs to be recognised too.

“It really emphasises the importance that instrumental music tuition is provided to our young people at school, and the immense benefits this leads to throughout their childhood and onto the rest of their lives.

The contest is not quite the end of a busy year for the band, who have entertained crowds at Denholm Fair, played at the Sound Cycle youth music festival at Harestanes in the summer, and recently were recorded for a new Borders youth music project that is about to launch on all major music streaming/download services, as well as many other concerts through the year.

They are not finished yet, and have a joint Christmas concert with pupils from St Mary’s School at Bowden Kirk on Thursday, December 5, followed by their Christmas concert with the Jedforest Instrumental Band at Jedburgh Town Hall on December 21.

Abbey Brass rehearse on Sunday evenings in their band room in Jedburgh and welcome any young brass and percussion players who are interested in playing in a brass band.

In all, 13 rival bands from sections two to four presented their 15-minute mini concert-style programme in a bid to impress the judges at North Parish Church.

And from the Borders entries taking part, it was Jedforest Instrumental Band which came out on top, taking home the most entertaining band accolade, third place overall and best-placed Borders band award playing the peices Balkan Dance, Flying Mallets, Lux Arumque and Nightingale Dances.

JIB, which performed on the day under the baton of conductor Phil Rosier, bagged an added accolade courtesy of its percussionist, Fiona Neary. She was awarded the best soloist title for her rendition of Flying Mallets on the xylophone.

“The Borders Brass Band Association went to great lengths to ensure the facilities were up to the mark, with separate rehearsals rooms and adequate storage space for the hundreds of musicians arriving on the day.

“Two very experienced adjudicators listened to all the bands and decided the final outcomes. Paul Drury and Derek Broadbent are internationally-renowned figures in the brass band world.

“And Border bands were well represented. St Ronan’s and Selkirk Silver were highly placed and Langholm Town won the 3rd section and  deportment prize.

“Peebles took the 4th section title.

Final results in the overall contest were as follows: 1 Lochgelly, 2 Broxburn and Livingston, 3 Jedforest Instrumental, 4 Coalburn Silver, 5 St Ronan’s Silver, 6 Selkirk Silver, 7 Shotts St Patrick, 8 Croy Silver, 9 Langholm Town, 10 Peebles Burgh Silver, 11 MacTaggart Scott Loanhead, 12 Hawick Saxhorn and 13 Queensferrry Community Brass.

Each band receives a traditional written adjudication and a unique record of the performance through a ‘voice-over’ live recording with a spoken review.

Position Vacant

Due to Player relocation we currently have vacancy on Principal Cornet.

Situated in the Scottish Borders town of Jedburgh on the A68 between Edinburgh and Newcastle the 2nd Section band currently have a vacancy for Principal Cornet.

We are a highly motivated organisation with over 30 regular players in the Senior band with an average attendance of 24 players per rehearsal. The band competes a minimum of twice a year and have just had a solid 5th place finish at thsi years Areas. We also hold several concerts in and around the Scottish Borders and also takes part in many public engagements throughout the year.

Under MD Philip Rosier and band trainers Rob Hume and Cameron Mabon, the band rehearses twice a week on Sundays and Thursdays at 7.15pm in our own purpose built band hall in Jedburgh.

The position may suit any up-and-coming player looking for an end seat or an established player looking for a change of scene.

For further information call or message David Lightbody on 07852230477

or apply by clicking here Contact Us

Scottish Championships 2019

 The band is currently in preparations for the upcoming Scottish Brass Band Championships 2019 which are held in the Perth Concert hall, Perth on Sat 9th March.

Playing in the 2nd Section the band will be playing Darroll Barrys 'Rise of the Pheonix'. A tricky test peice which is full of traps and technical passages which will catch a lot of bands out. 

The band will once again be Conducted by Phil Rosier.                                                                                                                                                                                     

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