Perthshire Brass celebrates victory in the Second Section

Perthshire Brass made our own piece of history with victory in Second Section at the Scottish Brass Band Championships held on Saturday in Perth Concert Hall.

Having recently been named Scottish Third Section Brass Band of the Year for 2024 and promotion to the Second Section, we were hoping for a positive result this year. Playing off a very early draw number one, the band put on a lively performance of the set work Friendly Takeover by Oliver Waespi which proved to be unmatched by the rest of the field and were rewarded with 1st place in the Second Section. This is the band's best ever result at a Scottish Champions and a first victory at the Scottish since 1993. 

Adjudicators Mark Wilkinson and Dave Barringer MBE remarked that the band's performance conducted by Willie McMullan “captured the style and harmonic content” and made “good full sounds with secure soloists”. 

The result means the band will be promoted to the First Section for 2026 and have also received an invitation to represent Scotland at the Second Section National Finals in Cheltenham in September. 

Cornet player Rachel Whiteman commented that she was “I’m absolutely speechless. I love this band!”. That sentiment was echoed throughout the ensemble, as Euphonium player George Annan agreed, “We didn’t expect this, but we are over the moon with the result. Another trip to the finals gives us more fundraising to do, especially as we are off to Aschaffenburg again next year, but the band are a hardworking group and we will love every minute of the preparation!”.