Hear us – Join us!
The Royal Burgh of Peebles is a thriving community in the heart of Scotland’s border country. We are the Peebles town band. We’ve been entertaining the community with instrumental music since 1834 and often appear at town events, like the week-long Peebles Beltane Festival.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or want more of a challenge – if you have an instrument or not – whatever your age and experience – creating music together is fun. We hope you enjoy listening to the band, but consider playing with us too. Hear us – join us!
Where can you hear us?
We get involved in a range of community events throughout the year – from Beltane to Christmas Carols. We also stage concerts featuring a range of interesting music. Sometimes we’re allowed out of Peebles and entertain folk elsewhere in Scotland – and occasionally even further afield. Most recently we spent a memorable time performing at a music festival in Germany.
Here are some confirmed events. Others will be added as dates become clear – so please do check back, or check our Facebook page.
Public events
Missed the Band at this year’s Peebles Beltane Festival? You’ll find some blog posts here and here to remind you of what you missed. Next up are:
9-Sep: We’ll be playing a street concert on Peebles High Street from 10am.
2-Sep: Not the brass band – but if you want to hear our local pipe band head to the Peebles Highland Games.
15-Sep: Back to Peebles for our Autumn Concert at Eastgate Theatre.
23-Sep: You’ll find some of our players performing with the Peebles Concert Band in nearby Innerleithen.
28-Oct: Another local band supported by our players – this time the Biggar Big Band.
4-Nov: Hear us, and many other bands, at the Borders Entertainment Contest in Selkirk.
For Band Members
Senior band sessions: The Band Hall, Peebles High St., Monday and Thursday 7.15-9.15pm or as confirmed in Teamer.
Beginners band sessions: The Band Hall, Tuesdays 6-7pm.
What’s been happening?
The Band plays in the Scottish Brass Band Championships each year. These are a great way to improve our playing – and measure progress. This year highly experienced Borders cornet player and conductor Mr David Robb took the band to the championships, where we achieved promotion to the Third section. This means we get to play an even harder contest piece next year!
Following this great achievement, Mr Robb has taken a step back from the senior band. In his place we’re very pleased to confirm Mr Vaughan Fleischfresser as our new Musical Director. Vaughan is well known in musical education circles internationally and will undoubedtly bring his own unique skills and experience to the band. Watch out for concerts later in the year to hear the result.
You’ve missed Vaughan leading the band at his first concert with us. But don’t despair! Here is a recording from the concert. You can hear the rest of the concert – and other recordings of the band – on SoundCloud. Do follow us, as we regularly post new recordings.
Follow us on Facebook, watch more videos on YouTube – or listen to recordings of The Band on SoundCloud:
(Certain photos are courtesy Mark Gillham)