After a successful first year in 2011, we are pleased to announce the second annual Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band’s Slow Melody Contest and Concert.

On Sunday 27th May, at Irvine’s Volunteer Rooms, Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band’s Slow Melody Contest and Concert will take place.

We’re delighted to announce that Lewis Musson (Solo Euphonium with Leyland Brass and 2011 Radio 2 Young Brass Musician of the Year), will act as adjudicator and guest player for our Slow Melody Contest and Concert. Our concert will include a few solo spots, so come along and hear the master at work!

The contest (for Irvine and Dreghorn band members of all ages) will start at 3.30pm (Hall access from 3pm), and guests can listen to the entrants during the afternoon. At 6pm, dinner will be served to your table and the contest results, prize giving and concert featuring Lewis will follow this.

Tickets are £10 for adults, and £6 for children. This includes contest and concert entry, (with walk in, walk out access all day); one drink of your choice from the fully licensed bar which will be in operation all day during the contest and concert; and an evening meal (vegetarian option available).

Tickets can be bought from Kelda (07875 426329), Claire (07967 810042) or from any band member. Tickets can also be bought via paypal (a surcharge of 25p per ticket will apply). – contact Kelda for more information on how to do this. Tickets must be paid for in advance (by Monday 21st May at the latest) to allow for catering and seating arrangements, but can be picked up at the ticket stand on the day.

About Lewis Musson:

Euphonium player Lewis Musson from Hulme, Manchester was the 2011 Radio 2 Young Brass Musician of the Year.

Lewis began playing cornet at just 5 years of age under the instruction of Salvation Army band leader Rodger Bunting, before taking up the euphonium aged 7. By age 10 he had secured himself a place at Chethams School – the largest specialist Music School in the UK. Here he flourished under the tuition of Billy Millar achieving a grade 8 ABRSM with distinction at the tender age of 13.

Lewis began to study piano and trombone in order to further his musical education. In 2005 he was accepted into the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and subsequently worked his way up to co-principal euphonium. During his 6th form at “Chets” Lewis embarked on a tour of Norway performing solo and duet recitals at various venues across the country. During this time he was also invited to take the principal euphonium seat with championship section Marsden Silver Prize Band. With Marsden Band Lewis went on to win many competitions including the 2009 Senior Cup at the Spring Festival in Blackpool.

In Late 2009 Lewis moved to the principal seat of the world famous Wingates Brass Band. In 2010 Lewis reached the final of the British Open Solo Championship and won the title of Euphonium Champion of Great Britain.

Lewis is currently in his fourth year at the Royal Northern College of Music and is the solo euphonium player forthe Leyland Band, a world renowned independent brass ensemble and a regular on ‘Listen to the Band’ on Radio 2.

About Irvine and Dreghorn Brass:

Irvineand Dreghorn Brass band have been in existence since the early 70’s. At that time local brass teachers found that there were insufficient children or instruments at any one local school to form a brass band, but this could be achieved by bringing together children from different schools. Since then we have grown to a local band open to all. We are currently a second section band with the Scottish Brass Band Association and compete regularly at competitions and we also play regularly to crowds across Ayrshire, particularly in the Summer and Winter months. We are a registered Scottish charity.

We have established a training band and are proud to have them play at the contest and concert. In addition, thanks to a recent Awards for All grant we will begin a focussed Youth Programme imminently. If you are interested in joining the training band or youth programme, please contact us for more information.

www.idbrass.com

Update: Thank you to all that attend our contest and concert! Thank you especially to our adjudicator and guest soloist Lewis Musson. Be sure to check this website for details of our Slow Melody Contest 2013.