Brass Ensemble Class
Open to ANY brass ensemble instrumentation – e.g. Quartet, Quintet, Ten Part etc. with or without percussion.
There is no age restriction in this class.
Performance time not to exceed ten minutes.
Programme content is totally own choice.
Woodwind Ensemble Class
Open to ANY Woodwind ensemble instrumentation – e.g. Quartet, Quintet, Octet etc. with or without percussion.
There is no age restriction in this class.
Performance time not to exceed ten minutes.
Programme content is totally own choice.
Percussion Ensemble Class
Open to ANY Percussion ensemble instrumentation – e.g. Duo, Trio, Quartet, Quintet etc.
There is no age restriction in this class.
Performance time not to exceed ten minutes.
Programme content is totally own choice.
The Development section
Suitable for bands in the very early stages of being a band, frequently with incomplete or imbalanced instrumentation. Bands in this section perform a totally own choice ten minute programme at a level of ability which suits their current musical abilities – typically this would be repertoire at Grade 0.5 to Grade 1.0
The Achieving School Band Class
Suitable for bands performing Grade 1 and up to Grade 2.5 repertoire. Bands in this class perform an “own choice” 15 minute programme,however one piece must be selected from the SCBF Repertoire List.
The Advanced School Band Class
Suitable for school band performing repertoire which is predominantly grade 3 or higher. Bands in this class perform an “own choice” 20 minute programme – one of the works performed must be selected from the SCBF Repertoire List.
The Developing Youth Band Class
Suitable for youth bands (composed of pupils from more than one school) performing Grade 1 and Grade 2 repertoire. Bands in this class perform an “own choice” 15 minute programme, however one piece must be selected from the SCBF Repertoire List.
The Advanced Youth Band Class
Suitable for youth bands performing repertoire which is Grade 3 or higher. Bands in this class perform an “own choice” 20 minute programme – one of the works performed must be selected from the SCBF Repertoire List.
The Community Band Class
Suitable for bands composed of people of all ages and ability. Bands entering this class can choose repertoire at ANY level, performing an “own choice” 20 minute programme – one of the works must be selected from the SCBF Repertoire List.
The Open Class
Suitable for bands of advanced ability. Typically bands entering this class perform repertoire at Grade 4.0 level or higher. An “own choice” 20 minute programme is required, with one of the works performed being selected from the SCBF Repertoire List.
Awards
Awards are made using a structured grid of seven levels of performance abilities:
- Bronze
- Bronze Plus
- Silver
- Silver Plus
- Gold
- Gold Plus
- Platinum
More information about these levels of achievement can be found on this page.
While band directors are encouraged to programme challenging “Festival Type” repertoire, they can also opt to include one “entertainment” item in which they include any or all of the following – acting / staging, choreography, dance, props etc. – as well as creating good music! An additional SBCF Entertainment Award is available for outstanding performances of this option.
Band directors may also choose to feature one of their aspiring players in a solo or concerto work. An additional SCBF Concerto Performance Award is available for outstanding performances of this option.
In its fourth year, SCBF is attracting approximately two thousand people to the fabulous Perth Concert Hall. Annually, over thirty bands from across Scotland, some 1800 musicians, are participating in SCBF. In association with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, SCBF has awarded two concerto performances to two aspiring young musicians in 2010 and 2011 – and a third award will be made this year. This award, The Most Outstanding Soloist of the Year, is to perform a concerto accompanied by the students of the RCoS conducted by Nigel Boddice.
Interested?
Go on, give your band something to look forward to performing in each year – this festival is a great motivational tool!
You can enter your band online into ANY of the regional festivals.
Nigel Durno
SCBF organiser.