Bon-Accord Silver Band - Recent Times

2010 was certainly a year to remember for the Bon-Accord Silver Bands! In May, Bon-Accord Silver Band was invited to represent Scotland at the European Brass Band Championships in Linz, Austria. Following many months of extra rehearsals, fundraising and hard work, the band made it to Linz ready to take on the challenge of competing with some of Europe's finest bands.

 

At this stage we would like to offer a huge vote of thanks Georgian Dress Hire, who were generous enough to offer all of the contesting band a kilt to wear during our European adventure. Our dress was met with great cheers from the sold out concert hall on both days of the competition. Whilst we were always up against it in terms of the competition (representing England were the Black Dyke Band and for Wales the Cory Band!) the band were able to defeat both the Danish and French National Champions in the Saturday contest - a tremendous achievement! In contrast, the 'B' band were busy celebrating their 30th anniversary of existence with a dinner dance held at the end of November. A number of current and former members braved the elements on a wintry night and enjoyed some fantastic ceilidh music provided by Sechndar.

 

2009 has probably been the most successful year in Bon-Accord Silver Band’s history. The ‘A’ Band came 4th in the Championship section and almost managed to topple of one the ‘Top 3’ bands in Scotland. We were also invited to represent Scotland in the European Brass Band Championships in Linz, Austria for 2010. To finish the year we recorded our 3rd commercial CD titled ‘Christmas Festival’ with the Aberdeen City Children’s Choir.

 

2008 began with yet another face to lead the band. We welcomed Morten Hansen from Norway and following an impressive outing at the Scottish Championships we retained our Championship Section status. We competed at the Scottish Open playing ‘St. Magnus’ and came an impressive 5th overall.

 

2007 again brought a host of new faces to Bon-Accord Band. During this year we had been fortunate enough to work with such high profile conductors as John Maines, John Roberts, and Richard Evans as well as Duncan Beckley.

 

2006 saw the ‘B’ band being promoted to the 3rd section and playing ‘Valerius Variations’ in the National Finals in Harrogate. The ‘A’ came 4th in the Championship section and started the threaten the ‘Top 3’ in Scotland.

 

2005 began with a new professional conductor for the A band - Duncan Beckley. After a good outing to the Scottish Championships with both bands, the bands have gone from strength to strength with an excellent result at Whitburn and several fantastic concert performances under their belts. Our 2nd CD ‘Northern Lights’ was produced with South & Central Aberdeenshire Youth Brass Band and Aberdeen City Youth Brass Band.

 

2003 saw the ‘A’ band return to the Championship section and another trip to the National Finals.

 

2002 was the bands 40th anniversary, and what a year we had! With trips to Regensburg, a gala concert with the Fodens Band, and the production of our first commercial CD recording ‘Forte’, clearly the Bon-Accord Silver Bands are still going strong.

 

2001 saw the band back in the Championship Section competing against the 'Big Boys'. A very creditable 7th position was obtained playing ‘Jazz’, a piece that some say is the hardest test-piece ever written for Brass Band, thus ensuring their status as a Championship section band was maintained.

 

2000 progressed in similar style. Tony once again led the band to victory in the First Section at the Scottish Championships in Troon and the band went on once more to represent Scotland at the National Finals of Great Britain. This year, to mark the new millennium, all grades were held in the Royal Albert Hall in London. A very creditable 9th place was achieved off a disappointing number one draw however in the opinion of many it was the finest that the band had played on a contest platform for several years.

 

1999 was an excellent year for the band. The year started well with the appointment of Glasgow based professional conductor Anthony Swainson, who led the band to victory in the Second Section at the Scottish Championships in Motherwell. This was followed by a very well deserved third place at the National Finals held in Nottingham in September.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bon-Accord Silver Band is a registered Scottish Charity, number SC040732