2026 News

Representing Midlothian on the UK Stage

Performing French composer Thierry Deleruyelle’s evocative test piece, Snow Island, St David’s Brass delivered a controlled and expressive performance in front of adjudicators Brett Baker, Alan Bourne, and Andrea Price.

The journey required significant effort both on and off the stage. Band members and supporters travelled over 170 miles south from their home at Vogrie Hall in Gorebridge, Midlothian, to the York Barbican.

This achievement was made possible by the incredible generosity of the local community. Through the band’s National Championships Campaign Page, local residents and supporters rallied together to raise over £8,500, covering travel, accommodation, and rehearsal expenses.

Celebrating Scottish success

It was a strong showing overall for Scottish brass banding. St David’s Brass extends warm congratulations to Selkirk Silver Band, who secured an impressive fifth place. Special congratulations also go to Allerton Brass for taking first place in the Third Section.

What’s next for St David’s Brass?

Following their national success, St David's Brass is turning its focus back to local performances and continuing its work providing free brass tuition and community music-making at Vogrie Hall.

The band will also be competing at the 2026 Scottish Festival of Brass - Band Supplies Scottish Challenge contest in November.

Road to York: 45 years of family, community and music

Every band has a story, St David’s Brass Band’s story is one of family, community, resilience and 45 years of making music together.

Based in Gorebridge, Midlothian, St David’s Brass Band was founded in 1981 by its current conductor, John Dickson, who was then working as a music instructor across schools in Midlothian. What began as a humble school band has grown over the past 45 years into a competing band with a strong sense of community and family.

Perhaps one of the most special parts of that story is that the connection between John and the young musicians he introduced to brass playing has continued across generations. Many of the band’s current players are former pupils of John – and remarkably, 45 years after he founded the band, he is still standing in front of them conducting today.

The family connection runs particularly deep within the Dickson family. John’s two sons both joined the band from an early age. His eldest son, Michael, was a hugely talented and valued euphonium player who played an active part in the band for many years. His sudden and unexpected passing last year was an incredibly difficult time for the Dickson family and for everyone at St David’s. Michael is deeply missed, and his contribution and friendship remain an important part of the band’s story.

John's younger son Stuart continues to play a key role in the band today. As well as holding the position of Principal Cornet, Stuart is also the band’s Chair, helping to drive the organisation forward while continuing to play an important role within the band itself.

And the next generation is already following in their family’s footsteps. Stuart’s two children, Mila and Bailey, aged just 14 and 11, are both members of St David’s, bolstering the cornet section. Not to miss out on the fun, Fiona Dickson – John’s wife – also plays in the band, jumping between the percussion and cornet sections when needed.

The Dickson's aren't the only family story within St David’s. Sisters Natalie and Alice play alongside each other, while fathers and sons Gerry and Andrew, and Alistair and Calum, are also members of the band. These connections help to make St David’s feel more like and extended family than an organisation.

From school band to our own home

The band’s journey hasn’t always been straightforward. For many years, St David’s rehearsed in a variety of different locations without a permanent home of its own. In recent years, the band took on one of its biggest challenges yet by purchasing its own band hall in Gorebridge.

The building was an ex-council property that had fallen into serious disrepair. Transforming it into a welcoming, functioning band hall and community space was a huge undertaking. It has taken a serious amount of commitment, fundraising hard work and support from the band and its local community.

But all that work paid off in early 2026 when St David's moved into Vogrie Hall, a home of its own.

The hall is now much more than somewhere to rehearse. It is a place where generations of musicians can come together, where young players can learn, where families can make music side by side and where the next chapter of the St David’s story can begin.

The road to York

Now, 45 years after the band was founded, St David’s Brass Band is looking towards another milestone – the National Finals at York Barbican.

Getting to York is a huge chapter in a story that had humble beginnings in a Midlothian school in 1981 and has continued through generations of players, families, challenges and achievements.

None of this would be possible without the incredible fundraising efforts of our band members and the support of the wider community. From organised events and creative fundraising ideas to every donation, raffle ticket, cake, sponsored challenge and helping hand, so many people have played their part in getting us to this point. We are hugely grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way. You have helped make the journey to York possible and, just as importantly, helped sustain the future of St David’s Brass Band for generations to come.

For 45 years, the band has been built on people. And as we make the journey to York, that remains at the heart of everything we do.

Podium finish for Bailey – National recognition at Scottish Solo Finals

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!

Vogrie Hall reopens as community events venue

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

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