News | Bon-Accord Silver Band

24 September 2016

Bon-Accord Silver Band crowned as champions of Fife Charities Band Association contest

Bon-Accord Silver Band were crowned as champions of the Fife Charities Band Assocation contest for the first time in their history. The band travelled to the Adam Smith theatre in Kirkcaldy to compete in the contest against some of the top bands in Scotland. They played a march - "The President" by William German, hymn - "Blaenwern" and test piece - "St Magnus" by Kenneth Downie. The band impressed adjudicator Steve Pritchard-Jones with their "excellent performance" that contained "lots of details and impressive playing". He went on to award first place to Bon-Accord Silver Band for all three sections of the contest: march, hymn and test piece, and crowned the band FCBA champions for 2016. The best instrumentalist prizes were adjudicated by John Boax and the band picked up all but one of the prizes available to them. The total prize list awarded to Bon-Accord Silver Band includes: • Winning Band - Open Contest (Test Piece)
• Winning Band - March Contest
• Winning Band - Hymn Contest
• Winning Conductor - Steve Malcolm
• Best Cornet
• Best Euphonium
• Best Trombone
• Best Basses
• Best Percussion The Bon-Accord Silver 'B' Band, conducted by Jennifer Cook, also took part in the contest and were placed in 13th position.

28 May 2016

Bon-Accord Silver Band complete hat trick at
Northern Counties Open Contest

Bon-Accord Silver Band has won the Northern Counties Brass Band Association Open Contest 2016, held on Saturday 28 May 2016 in Loch Leven, completing an historical three wins in a row at the contest for the first time in their history. The band opened their 'very enjoyable programme' with an exciting rendition of Samuel Hazo’s ‘Ride’ which was described by the adjudicator, John Boax, as 'a stunning opening piece' which was 'very well played'. Mark Boyd was the featured trombone soloist in the exciting performance of 'Smile' which was written by Charlie Chaplin himself for his 1936 comedy Modern Times. The piece also featured our flugel horn player, Sarah Saum, and helped Mark Boyd to win the Best Soloist award for the contest with his 'lovely sound'. Eric Cree’s funky arrangement of 'Scarborough Fair' followed, offering a showcase for the band’s award winning ‘Best Percussion’ section - a trophy they have now claimed four years in a row. A rousing performance of ‘Vision of Kolkhis’ by Tom Davoren closed the band programme and helped the band secure the first hat trick of wins for the band in the history of the contest, which began in 1960, with a winning margin of two clear point from their other competitors. The band took home all but one of the prizes available to them at this contest including: • Winning Band - 1st Place
• Winning Conductor - Steve Malcolm
• Best NCBBA Member Band
• Best Percussion
• Best Soprano
• Best Soloist - Mark Boyd, Trombone The Bon-Accord Silver 'B' Band, conducted by Jennifer Cook, also took part in the contest and were placed an excellent 5th place, winning the prize for the best 4th section band at the contest.

13 December 2015

Eric Kidd receives Honorary Membership of
the Scottish Brass Band Association

Eric proudly displays his honorary award - joined by his son, Richard and daughter-in-law, Paula

The Scottish Brass Band Association has awarded an Honorary Membership of the Association to Eric Kidd. This is awarded for exceptional service to the brass band movement and for making a material impact upon one or more bands; Eric easily met the criteria. Eric started playing Eb Bass at school and was taught by Stewart Watson, the founder of Bon-Accord Silver Band. He played in school groups and then in Bon-Accord Silver Band before leaving Aberdeen to join the Gordon Highlanders. After his army service, he returned to Aberdeen and began work as a peripatetic Brass Instructor. Eric has taught many pupils through his career, many of whom have gained a love of music and friendships through playing in groups under Eric's direction. After being promoted to Head of Brass Instrumental Teaching, he was latterly promoted to Head of Instrumental Music Services for Aberdeen City Council. Eric has conducted many youth groups and brass groups in the city taking them to local and National Competitions and Festivals. The Aberdeen City Music Centre Senior Brass Band, The University of Aberdeen Concert Band, Bon-Accord Silver 'B' Band and Bon-Accord Silver band are among the groups that he has been involved with and he has worked as low brass instructor for the National Youth Wind Ensemble of Scotland. He was one of the organisers of The Evening Express Carol Concert in Aberdeen for many years and has helped as an organiser of the Wind Band Festivals. Eric still plays in both Bon-Accord Silver Bands amongst other groups, along with his son and daughter-in-law, and is a worthy recipient of the Honorary Membership.

05 December 2015

Bon-Accord Silver Band officially recognised as
Third Best Brass Band in Scotland

Bon-Accord Silver Band have been officially recognised as the Third Best Brass Band in Scotland following the final results of the Scottish Brass Band Association Band of the Year results, which were published on 05 December 2015. The Band of the Year awards are designed to reflect the respective performances of bands in all Scottish contests and also in major national and international contests throughout the year. This year the Bon-Accord Silver Band have competed in the top flight of Scottish Brass Banding and have had another year of fine achievements and even greater contesting results. In 2015, Bon-Accord Silver Band retained the crown of the Northern Counties Open Contest Champions for the second year running, were placed Second in the Fife Charities Band Association Contest, gained Third Place in the Scottish Brass Band Championships Championship Section and, more recently, achieved Fourth Place in the Scottish Open Contest, held just last week in Perth. The band have now been in their new band hall, in Kincorth, for only just two and a half years; in that time they have competed in ten contests, winning three of those contests and not placing lower than fourth place in any of them. Achieving the title of the Third Best Brass Band in Scotland is a fantastic achievement for our band of amateur musicians. We look forward to sharing our music with the public over the festive period, playing in various concerts and supermarkets to raise money to bring the best brass band music to the North East of Scotland.

28 November 2015

Bon-Accord Silver Band
Celebrate Fourth Place in the
Scottish Open Contest 2015

Bon-Accord Silver Band has added to their impressive trophy collection with fourth place at the Scottish Brass Band Championships. This represents the best result they have achieved in this contest and rounds off a fantastic year of contesting for the Aberdeen band. The band performed in the Scottish Open held in the Perth Concert Hall on 28 November 2015. Under the direction of their conductor, Steve Malcolm, they performed "Gallery" by Howard Snell, a test piece commissioned specifically for the contest. The piece represents a stroll through an art gallery and links separate sections of the piece to pictures. Each movement has a title given by the composer and each reflects the mood of the painting listed: 1: Entrance - no picture - the visitor strolls up to the Gallery
2: Street Market - The Barras by Paul Cox
3: The Skater's Waltz - The Reverend Robert Walker skating on Duddingston Loch by Henry Raeburn.
4: The March Back to Camp - Gassed by John Singer Sargent
5: Love Story - Old Couple by Caitriona Campbell
6: Cut-Outs - Jazz by Henri Matisse
7: Landscapes - Two Views from Ben Lomond (looking South-West and looking North-West) by John Knox. The three Adjudicators for the contest, Philip Sparke, Alan Fernie and the composer, Howard Snell, commented that the band provided "a splendid performance" with "great character" and placed the band in fourth position. This meant the band beat the some of the best bands from the North of England in the process. The band have continued their success over the past year, in 2015 they retained the crown of the Northern Counties Open Contest Champions for the second year running, gained Third Place in the Scottish Brass Band Championships Championship Section and Second Place in the Fife Charities Band Association Contest. The band have gone from strength to strength over the past couple of years and have now affirmed their place as the third best brass band in Scotland.

20 May 2015

Bon-Accord Silver Band celebrate the
opening of their new band hall

Band Manager Craig Beattie (right) with guests, Steve Malcolm (left) and Richard Evans (centre)

Bon-Accord Silver Band celebrated the official opening of its new band hall on Saturday 16 May 2015 in the company of past and present conductors, players, friends and family. The band hall was opened by two very close friends of the band - their professional conductor, Steve Malcolm, and a legend of the brass band world and past conductor, Richard Evans. Over fifty friends of the band, representing the vast major of the band’s 53 year history, came together for this special occasion, including the family of the bands founder, Stewart Watson. This is the first time in the history of the band that they have had their own rehearsal accommodation, previously rehearsing in what is now the Academy Shopping Centre and most recently at St Margaret’s Church, Gallowgate. The band spent over nine months planning and refurbishing the new band hall to turn it into one of the best rehearsal facilities in Aberdeen. The celebrations were led by the bands chairman, David Cooper, who recognised the work of the bands founder, Stewart Watson, in making the band such a strong organisation that has lasted over 50 years and how the new band hall has added something extra to the heart and soul of the band. He praised the strong friendship and camaraderie that the band has created over the years and how this new rehearsal facility will provide a firm base for so much more in years to come. The two honoured guests of the band, Steve Malcolm and Richard Evans, unveiled a plaque marking the event. Richard Evans posted to the bands Facebook page: “Felt very honoured and proud to open your new bandroom along with Steve Malcolm and share the Sunday concert with you all. It was a long time ago when the great man himself, Stewart Watson, offered me the post of Musical Director of the National Youth Band of Scotland and I feel from that moment I had a connection with Bon Accord which is still as strong today, please let it continue. This is not just a band, it is a loving family. In my opinion it is a pity not more bands in our movement don't operate like you. Have a successful future in your excellent new home.” The celebratory weekend was topped off with gala concert at the Salvation Army Citadel in Aberdeen, on Sunday 17 May 2015, which showcased both the Bon-Accord Silver Band and Bon-Accord Silver ‘B’ Band with a highly entertaining programme of music. Both bands performed a mass band finale of “Hootenany” which set many toes-tapping and gave past players in the audience a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The bands are due to be performing in the Northern Counties Open Contest this weekend coming, in Kinross.

15 March 2015

Bon-Accord Silver Band
Celebrate Third Place in the
Scottish Championship Section 2015

Bon-Accord Silver Band has added to their impressive trophy collection with third place at the Scottish Brass Band Championships. This marks a significant milestone in the 52-year history of the band, being officially recognised as the third best brass band in Scotland. The band performed in the Championship Section of the Scottish Brass Band Championships held in the Perth Concert Hall on 15 March 2015. Under the direction of their conductor, Steve Malcolm, they performed "The Torchbearer" by Peter Graham, a test piece written in tribute of Eric Ball and the wonderful music he wrote for brass bands over the years. The piece is a set of variations on themes from many of Eric Ball's works and provides a fitting test for any brass band. The two Adjudicators for the contest, Stephen Roberts and Sandy Smith, commented that the band provided "an impressive performance, full of musicality and quality solo playing" and "a performance of real musical direction". They placed the band in third position and awarded them the John Kirkwood Memorial Trophy along with an invite to the Scottish Open Contest in November. The band have continued their success over the past year, in 2014 they were crowned the Northern Counties Open Contest Champions, Scottish Challenge Shield Champions and the Scottish Brass Band Association Scottish 1st Section Band of the Year, amongst many other awards. In total, the band collected thirteen awards and trophies in 2014. The band is looking forward to another busy year ahead with contests and concerts throughout the country and the Grampian region, in the hope of collecting even more silverware.

30 February 2015

First Winner of the
Bon-Accord Silver Band
Alternative Solos Contest Announced

Mark Boyd has been announced as the winner of the first Bon-Accord Silver Band Alternative Solos Contest, held on the evening of 28 February 2015.

The Bon-Accord Challenge Trophy being awarded to Mark Boyd by Band Manager, Craig Beattie.

The premise of the contest is to put our players out of their comfort zone and ask them to play an instrument, chosen at random, that they do not normally play. The instruments involved in the contest included: all brass instruments from soprano to BBb bass, xylophone, vibraphone, timpani and Swanee whistle. Our guest adjudicator, Steve Malcolm, had to endure 18 performances of varying musical taste and style but was confident he managed to get all the places correct from top to bottom. The full result of the contest is as below:

Place	Player	Instrument	Draw
1	Mark Boyd	Eb Bass	3
2	David Cooper	Eb Bass	12
3	Will Mitton	Baritone	16
4	Paula Kidd	Xylophone	10
5	Damian Martin	Trombone	2
6	Paul James	Trombone	15
7=	Richard Kidd	Vibraphone	1
7=	Sarah Saum	Swanee Whistle	11
9	Karen Cooper	Trombone	5
10=	Ailsa and Oliver Mason	Xylophone	18
10=	Lisa Vass	Xylophone	14
10=	Ashlynn Crozier	Soprano	7
13	Erica Innes	Baritone	8
14	Rachel Anderson	Swanee Whistle	11
15	Thomas Griffin-Walker	BBb Bass	17
16=	Ruth Notman	BBb Bass	4
16=	Craig Beattie	Timpani	6
DSQ	Steve Malcolm	Soprano	13

01 January 2015

Scottish First Section
Band Of The Year

Bon-Accord Silver Band have topped off a fantastic 2014 with being announced as the SBBA Scottish 1st Section Band of the Year. This is the first time that the band have been awarded this prestigious award. The band of the year awards are designed to reflect the respective performances of bands in all Scottish contests and also in major national and international contests. The band grossing the most points over the calendar year are awarded the coveted Band of the Year title for their respective section. The Band of the Year award means that 2014 has been the most successful year in Bon-Accord Silver Band's 52-year history. They have collected thirteen awards this year at contests: having been promoted to the Championship section, been crowned Northern Counties Open Contest Champions, Scottish Challenge Shield Champions and now the SBBA Scottish 1st Section Band of the Year, amongst many other awards.

02 December 2014

Bon-Accord Silver Band
Build A Crescendo Through 2014

Photos by Linda Cairns of Personally Yours Photography

On Saturday 29th November, Bon-Accord Silver Band saw off competition from ten other Scottish brass bands, from the first and second sections, to triumph at the event held at Perth Concert Hall. This is the first time the band has competed in this event and they have become the first band from the North East of Scotland to win this prestigious prize. The band of 29 brass and percussion players, conducted by Stephen Malcolm, played Edward Gregson's, "Of Distant Memories (Music in an Olden Style)", which was originally written in 2012 for the British Brass Band Championships National Finals. They were awarded the top prize by three internationally renowned adjudicators who remarked in the critiques of the band that there were "lots of classy sounds" and "excellent solo playing and ensemble work". One adjudicator in particular felt that this was "a tough piece tackled with fine confidence and know how" by a "very capable [and] technically accomplished band". 2014 has been a very successful year for Bon-Accord Silver Band with their conductor Stephen Malcolm at the helm. As well as winning the Scottish Challenge Shield, they gained promotion to the Championship Section in March and then went on to win the Northern Counties Open Contest in May. The band are looking to go from strength to strength with a busy festive schedule and contesting calendar for next year. They hope to bring more silverware to the North East in the coming year as they perform all the round country at various concerts and contests.

20 October 2014

Take A Look At Our Trophy Shelf
- No Space Left!

If you’re wondering what the odd things are below the shelf, those our are home-made acoustic diffusers.

28 September 2014

Fife Charities Contest
Third Place Finish And Best Euphonium

Bon-Accord Silver Band have competed in the Fife Charities Band Association Contest held in Kirkcaldy, Fife. The band achieved an excellent 3rd place amongst thirteen other bands of exceptional quality. They managed to achieve a higher placing than a couple of Championship section bands with their performance and the band’s principal Euphonium, Richard Kidd, picked up the prize for the Best Euphonium. The band also placed 3rd in the hymn tune section of the contest.

25 May 2014

Northern Counties Open Champions

Bon-Accord Silver Band have won the Northern Counties Open contest held in Kinross. Under the baton of Stephen Malcolm, Bon-Accord opened their ‘well judged’ programme, according to adjudicator Anne Crookston, with an exciting rendition of Peter Graham’s ‘Phoenix’. Mark Boyd was the featured trombone soloist in the evocative ‘My Funny Valentine’ - eliciting rich praise from the adjudicator for playing that was, ‘so accomplished and musically phrased’ and ‘sensitively accompanied’. Howard Snell’s exuberant arrangement of ‘Scaramouche Brasileira’ followed, offering a showcase for the band’s award winning ‘Best Percussion’ section - a trophy they have now claimed two years in a row. A fine performance of ‘Zeibekikos’ from Philip Wilby’s ‘Euphonium Concerto’ (complete with plate-smashing finale) took the ‘Best Soloist’ prize for the outstanding Richard Kidd, before the set concluded with a rousing ‘MacArthur Park’. The band took home all but one of the prizes available to them at this contest including: • Winning Band - 1st Place
• Winning Conductor
• Best 1st Section Band
• Best NCBBA Member Band
• Best Percussion
• Best Soprano
• Best Soloist The band are looking forward to their next contest in September of this year at the Fife Charities Contest.

15 March 2014

Bon-Accord Silver Band Promoted To The Championship Section

Coming second at the Scottish Championships has gained Bon-Accord Silver Band promotion back into the Championship section. This means the band are firmly back into the top 10 brass bands in Scotland. The Scottish Championships were held in Perth Concert Hall on Sunday, 9th March 2014. The test piece for this year in the 1st section was Howard Lorriman’s “Cry of the Mountain”. The adjudicators Stan Lippeatt and David Hurst felt that Bon-Accord’s rendition of the piece was “a well managed performance with good technique on show” and had “lots of good playing” on show. The band also took home the prize for the Best Horn section - comprising of Karen Cooper, Lisa Hopkins, Becky Anderson and Craig Beattie. The band now get to compete in the Championship section next year and are looking forward to the challenge of the test piece that awaits them next year.

06 January 2014

Home Sweet Home
First Rehearsal In Our New Band Hall

It has been a long journey the band have been over the past 3 years - we have been on the hunt for a new rehearsal venue for many years and have finally found one. After much deliberation and calculation, we took the plunge and acquired the lease of our new band hall from Aberdeen City Council. We had our rennovation plans passed by the Planning and Infrastructure committee before we finally got to work on making the old Territorial Army hut into a fit-for-purpose brass band rehearsal venue. Over the course of 5 months, we set out to make this building into the heart and soul of a flourishing brass band from the North-East of Scotland. Using metal studwork, 100mm thick sound-proofing and double layered acoustic plasterboard, we created an "room within a room" in order to provide maximal acoustic efficiency and prevent leakage of sound to our close neighbours surrounding the building. We then taped the seams before all hands were on deck from band members and friends to paint the building inside and out and from floor to ceiling. We created homemade acoustic diffusers and acoustic absorption panels to temper the noise within the band hall. The floor was laid, the electrics were fitted and the furniture and percussion was installed before our first rehearsal. This rehearsal meant so much to all of our band members who can now park for free to go to rehearsals, go to the toilet during a rehearsal without crossing the road to the nearest pub and they can hear what is going on on the other side of the band for the first time! We would like to thank a few people without whom this project wouldn't have been possible: Wood Group PSN for very kindly donating the flooring for the band hall, Colin Buchan for his tireless work on the project taking the project from paper to reality and helping negotiate deals with suppliers and the University of Aberdeen for providing us with some of the furniture and music equipment prior to it all being skipped. We would also like to thank Paula Leslie and Steven Mitchelhill for their legal advice and counsel and Craig Beattie for effectively having another full time job at the band hall putting things together and making sure the work was done to the highest quality. Finally, we would like the thank our band members and friends of the band for their support, advice and helping making this project a reality.