Twenty's plenty for Borders Entertainment Contest
Friday 28 October 2016
TWENTY brass bands from across Scotland will be making their way to Galashiels early in November for the 16th Borders Entertainment Contest.
The event, which is taking place on Saturday, November 5, is being held at the Borders College campus in Galashiels.
There is a focus on entertainment, with each band playing a mini concert programme which will include a piece written originally for the stage.
The adjudicators are respected brass band conductors Michael Fowles and Mareika Gray. Bands will receive written and voice-over remarks, which have proven to be popular in the past. There will be prizes for each section (one to four) as well as various individual and instrumental prizes.
"Staging the Borders Entertainment Contest in Galashiels is a significant milestone in the rebuilding of our own band," explained Allan Doyle, chairman of Galashiels Town Band.
"We are proud and excited to be taking part, and this will be the first time that the band has performed in the event. We are also delighted to welcome so many bands and visitors to the town," added Mr Doyle.
The contest is being held in the Borders College at Netherdale, where the whole event will run under one roof. This includes excellent catering and bar facilities.
Hot food will be served from 9am and the bar will be open from 11am until the end of the contest.
"We are delighted with the entry for our contest once again this year," explained Scott Renwick, chairman of organiser the Scottish Borders Brass Band Association.
"It promises to be a great day of music and we are looking forward to seeing everyone in Gala," he added.
The contest gets underway at 9.30am and entry, payable at the door, costs £6.
Competing bands