Scots musicians travelling to Sweden carry our hopes and best wishes

Best wishes, bon voyage and good luck to all Scottish instrumentalists and their supporters who will be travelling to Sweden from this weekend to participate in the European Brass Band Festival in Malmö.

Three principal players from the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland – Gregor Koziel (soprano), Calum Blair (cornet) and Mark Gammon (bass trombone) – will be setting out on Saturday to play with the European Youth Brass Band next week and members of Whitburn Band will be making the journey the following Thursday to compete in the European championships on Friday and Saturday (5 and 6 May).

Trombonist Joshua Parkhill (above) will also be in Malmö as the only representative from Scotland to win through to the semi-final of the 2023 European Soloist Competition, an event which will be taking place next Monday (1 May).

“For the competition in Malmö I have to perform a 10-minute programme which will allow me to explore my interests in contemporary music as well as demonstrate my lyrical playing ability too,” said Joshua, who is one of three trombonists in the semi-final.

“If I get through to the final I will be playing Edward Gregson’s Trombone Concerto as it is a piece that I really love and have played in the past to win the Scottish Solo Competition during the pandemic lockdown.”

The EYBB will have a very busy schedule with rehearsals, concerts and social events throughout the week. The players will also be able to enjoy listening to the very best bands in the world during the 44th EBBC on Friday and Saturday.

The annual highlight will be the band’s performance in the Gala Concert on Saturday evening. This year, the EYBB share the stage with current European champions, the Cory Band, conducted by Philip Harper.

“We are all excited and proud to represent NYBBS in Malmö and are looking forward to playing with the European Youth Brass Band," said Mark Gammon (pictured below right with Gregor and Calum).

Scottish champions Whitburn (below) will be among 14 top section bands competing for the European title. The test piece in the Championship section on Friday will be Aurora by Joel Thoor Engström. The contest continues on Saturday with an own-choice competition.

Charlie Farren, Whitburn chairman, said: “Our thanks go to Creative Scotland and the Scottish Brass Band Association who have helped the band for our challenge at this year’s European Brass Band Championships. 

“I would also like to thank our conductor Paul Holland as well as Bryan Allen, who has helped to prepare the band for the competition.  

“All the players have been working really hard for the event, and we are looking forward to competing at our first European since 2018.” 

There are also three Scottish musicians who will be adjudicators during the European festival. Sheona White will be adjudicating the Championship Own Choice competition and Anne Crookston will be judging the Challenge Section, both taking place on the Saturday.

Katrina Marzella-Wheeler will be one of three judges assessing the concerto finalists in the Finale Concert.

SBBA president Carrie Boax will also be travelling out to Sweden next week to provide her customary vocal support to the Scottish contingent.

For the full European Brass Band Festival programme, go to https://ebba.eu.com/news/