Keep up to date with the latest news at Peebles Burgh Silver Band.
VACANCIES
Peebles Burgh Silver Band - We are a friendly Third Section band based in the Scottish Borders (18 miles South Of Edinburgh) and are currently looking for Bb Bass Players and a Percussionist to join the team. We would welcome any other brass players with experience or anyone willing to learn.
The Band is currently practicing hard for the Scottish Championships to be held in Glenrothies on Saturday 13th March. The test piece is "Labour and Love" and was composed by Percy Fletcher for the 1923 National Brass Band Championships. This is a very traditional test piece and, despite its age, presents plenty of musical challenges for the band. The band held a very successful workshop on 30th January with Derek Broadbent who was able to give us some valuable insights on how to interpret the music and to play it in a way that remains true to the original sentiments of the piece. Practices have been going well under the baton of Alan Fernie and the band is hoping to put in a top class performance at the Championships.
*Band Wins Fourth Section at Brass in the Park*
The Band travelled to Newtongrange on 5th September to take part in the annual Brass in the Park competition. Unfortunately due to the local park being water logged as a result of the recent atrocious weather the event actually took place in the mining museum. Although a bit cramped the event went well and it is a credit to the organisers that everything ran so smoothly.
The Band was second to play in the competition and, under the direction of Alan Fernie, played the march "Punchinello" followed by Ian White's arrangement of the hymn "St. George's Edinburgh". The Band played very well and, in particular, was commended by the adjudicator on its sound quality. The outcome was that the Band won the Fourth Section and came ninth out of 20 bands also beating three out of four third section bands in the process.
Later in the day the Band played a mini concert in a tented enclave in the centre of the village. As well as reprising the contest pieces the Band also played "Singing in the Rain", a jazzy version of "Loch Lomond" and an arrangement of Barry Manilow's lachrymose classic "One Voice".
After a brief respite the Band returned to the mining museum to take part in the marching and deportment contest and, for the second year in succession, walked off (literally) with the first prize.
The Junior Band also took part in the day's proceedings and, again under Alan's direction, acquitted themselves well in winning a Bronze Award.
This was a very successful day for the Band and continues our winning streak, however a greater challenge lies ahead when the Band goes to Harrogate on the 26th September to take part in the UK National Championships. Wish us luck!
 Over the last few months when Musical Director Alan Fernie has been unable to take the Band we have been very lucky to obtain the services of Chris Shanks. Chris has recently graduated BEd from the Royal Academy of Music and Drama and intends becoming a music teacher. He currently plays principal euphonium with Bellshill Salvation Army Band and second euphonium with Kirkintilloch however the photograph to the left shows him in the Peebles uniform when he both played with, and conducted, the Band at Lanark Lanimer Day. Peebles is the first contesting band that he has conducted in concert and he says that he has loved "every bit of it". We are very pleased that Chris is with the Band and hope that this is the start of a long and happy association.
*** THE SCOTTISH BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIP ***
Caird Hall, Dundee 21st March 2009
Peebles wins the 4th section Scottish Championship with 179 points beating the second band, "Brass Sounds Inverclyde " (Favorites) by 2 points. "Penicuik" were third with 175 points
This qualifies Peebles for entry into the National Brass Band Championship in Harrogate on the 26th & 27th September 2009
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