German venture for Kirkie’s winning MD

After leading The Kirkintilloch Band’s return to the Championship Section by taking the First Section title at last weekend’s Scottish Brass Band Championships in Perth, musical director Hedley Benson has revealed he will be packing his bags to make his debut with the Brass Band Sachsen in Germany on Sunday (17 March).

“I'm hugely looking forward to working with this very fine brass band and presenting a concert programme of varied music from Eric Ball's masterpiece Resurgum to more modern pieces by the likes of Tom Davoren and Alan Fernie,” he said.

Hedley Benson with The Kirkintilloch Band on stage in the Perth Concert Hall during the Scottish Brass Band Championships

The work with Brass Band Sachsen is in addition to his existing commitment to Kirkie.

“It's been a great 12 months with Kirkintilloch, lots of hard work from everyone and it's paid off!” Hedley added. “The players really are a terrific bunch and I couldn't believe it when the band told me they nearly folded after Covid.
“My experience of playing with the band in the early 2000s was achieving a seventh at the British Open and to see them struggling was awful.

“We're all looking forward to a busy year ahead and hopefully get decent results at the Spring Festival in Blackpool and at the National Finals in Cheltenham.”