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Podium finish for Bailey – National recognition at Scottish Solo Finals
29 March 2026Podium finish for Bailey – National recognition at Scottish Solo Finals
The future of St David’s Brass continues to look incredibly bright following a weekend of exceptional music-making at the 2026 Scottish Solo and Ensemble Championships.
Fresh off his gold-medal success at the East of Scotland qualifiers in February, our cornet star Bailey Dickson traveled to the Bellshill Salvation Army Centre on Saturday to represent the band at the national level. Competing in a formidable field of 14 talented young musicians in the Junior (12 and under) solo category, Bailey delivered a performance that combined technical brilliance with poise.
Drawing the number one slot is a challenge for even the most seasoned performers, as it requires setting the standard for the entire day. Undeterred by the pressure of opening the proceedings, Bailey took to the stage first and reprised his rendition of Jean-Baptiste Arban’s The Carnival of Venice.
His performance caught the ear of respected adjudicator Hedley Benson, earning Bailey not only a prestigious Gold award but also securing him second place overall in Scotland, coming runner up to Jemma Craig of Campbelltown Brass.
To be ranked as the second-best junior soloist in the country is a monumental achievement. As a band, we are immensely proud of Bailey’s dedication and the way he represented St David’s on the national stage.
The future is bright for our cornet section. Congratulations, Bailey on a truly golden achievement!
St David’s Brass takes second place at Scottish Championships
9 March 2026St David’s Brass takes second place at Scottish Championships
Members of St David’s Brass are celebrating this week after a fantastic performance at the Scottish Brass Band Championships held at Perth Concert Hall on Saturday 7 March.
Competing against a strong field of bands in the third section, St David’s Brass secured a brilliant second-place finish, earning them a silver trophy and an invitation to York in September for the National Brass Band Championships.
Under the baton of conductor John A Dickson, the band delivered a captivating performance of Gordon Langford's Three Haworth Impressions. The music, which paints a musical picture of the rugged Yorkshire landscape made famous by the Brontë sisters, required a mix of technical precision and deep emotion.
The result marks another high point in a busy season for the band, who have recently completed the refurbishment of their new home at Vogrie Hall in Gorebridge.
St David’s Brass would like to congratulate section winners Selkirk Silver on their victory and thank the Scottish Brass Band Association for organising another wonderful weekend of contesting.
If you would like to support St David's Brass on their journey to the Nationals in York, please consider sharing or donating to their fundraising campaign.
Vogrie Hall reopens as community events venue
1 March 2026Vogrie Hall reopens as community events venue
Community groups across Midlothian can now book a newly restored historic venue for events, classes and gatherings following the completion of an extensive renovation project.
Vogrie Hall in Gorebridge has reopened after local charity St David's Brass SCIO purchased and refurbished the building, which had fallen into disrepair during its final years under council ownership.
A building saved by community action
A building saved by community action
The hall was originally built in the 1930s for local miners and later became a community space. After the council deemed it unsafe and closed it, St David's Brass led a campaign to save the building.
The charity purchased the hall for £100,000 and secured over £700,000 in funding from sources including the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund, the National Lottery, Foundation Scotland and generous private donations.
It has since undertaken a complete refurbishment of the building to repair, restore and modernise its facilities, while retaining the original stone walls and sprung flooring to respect the building’s heritage features. A solar panel array with a storage battery has been installed to help the building be self-sufficient and more environmentally friendly.
What the hall offers
What the hall offers
The main hall is now available for community groups to hire for activities, meetings and events. The venue can accommodate concerts, classes and social gatherings.
The main hall has a capacity of 100, either standing or seated. The hall offers WiFi facilities and has kitchen amenities for tea, coffee and basic food preparation. Tables and chairs are available. Blackout blinds have also been installed in the main hall to enhance privacy and atmosphere at events.
A Spring Craft Fair on 21 March 2026 marks the first public event at Vogrie Hall and will allow residents the chance to see the renovated venue. An official opening ceremony for Vogrie Hall is planned for later in the year.
Gold for Bailey – Regional solo success secures finals spot
22 February 2026Gold for Bailey – Regional solo success secures finals spot
The St David's Brass music scene hits a high note this week as one of our own prepares to take the national stage. Bailey Dickson, of the band's cornet section, secured a prestigious gold award at the East of Scotland Solo Contest this past weekend.
A huge congratulations goes out to Bailey, who delivered a stellar performance of the classic The Carnival of Venice. His hard work and dedication really shone through, earning him a well-deserved gold award from the adjudicators.
The gold award means Bailey has officially qualified for the Scottish Solo Finals taking place in March.
Stepping out on stage as a soloist takes a massive amount of courage and composure. As a band, we couldn't be prouder of the way Bailey represented himself and St David's Brass.
While we’re taking a moment to celebrate, the practice doesn't stop here. Bailey is already planning how to polish his performance even further to make it even better for the national stage. And we're sure it won't be long until he starts eyeing up his dad's seat on solo cornet.
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