Whitburn to host virtual summer festival for Scottish bands

A weekend of events for Scottish bands is being planned by Whitburn Band for this summer.

The Whitburn Band Virtual Festival will take place on the weekend of 25/27 June. Scottish bands at all levels – from youth to championship – are being invited to compete in this virtual celebration of brass. 

At the conclusion of the weekend’s competitive playing, Whitburn’s Youth and Heartlands bands will join the senior band for an online gala concert before the results ceremony. 

The entire weekend of events – which are supported by Creative Scotland, Besson, Just Music, Band Supplies and SBBA – will be broadcast for free on Whitburn Band’s YouTube channel, and the contest is free to enter for all competing bands. 

Charlie Farren, Whitburn Band’s chairman, said: “We are delighted to have been able to invite our fellow Scottish bands to compete in the Whitburn Band Virtual Festival.

“In these unusual and testing times, we appreciate just how difficult it has been for us all to enjoy being part of something we are passionate about – banding."

As part of the contest entry, bands will be able to access resources to help break down any barriers to creating an online performance. 

Each band is encouraged to submit a maximum of ten minutes for their entries, with adjudicators judging the quality of performance, programme content and presentation.  

Participating bands with any queries regarding the competition are encouraged to contact whitburn.vf@gmail.com An information pack on the event is available to download here.