Highland wind bands to compete at national level

THIS weekend’s Scottish Concert Band Festival finals being held in Perth Concert Hall will see representation from two Wind Bands from the Highlands.

Saturdays ‘Achieving School Band’ class will see Lochaber High Schools Senior Band compete against another six groups representing schools from all over Scotland. On Sunday the Highland Youth Wind Band, which consists of school age members from all over Highland, will compete in a field of five groups in the ‘Advanced Youth Band’ class.

Both the Highland groups are conducted by Highland Council brass Instructor Mark Reynolds who is based in the Lochaber area. The Lochaber band is also tutored by Karen Thomson, woodwind Instructor in the area whilst the Highland Youth Wind Band has a number of additional tutors from Highland Councils Instrumental Tuition Service.

Music Development Officer for the Council, Norman Bolton, expressed his delight at having the two groups invited to compete in the Finals following their prelim adjudications given at the end of last year. He said: “Both groups have been working hard preparing their competition programmes and we fully expect them to give first class performances at the competition. The hard work and loyalty of members and staff involved with these groups is beyond reproach and Highland should be rightly proud of the high quality of musicianship achieved. I know that the bands will have a great experience listening to other groups and will also benefit from the social aspects of this kind of activity. Music allows our young people to broaden their experiences in so many ways and we should be justly proud of everything they achieve.”