Good evening, and a very warm welcome to this special webcast from St Leonard’s-in-the-Fields Church in Perth. Tonight, we begin the first session of the Brass competitions at this year’s festival, showcasing some of the finest young and emerging musicians as they compete across a range of classes.

We are privileged to have Katrina Marzella-Wheeler with us this evening. Born in Edinburgh in 1983, Katrina is a distinguished figure in the world of brass music. An accomplished instrumentalist, conductor, and teacher, she was the solo baritone horn player with the renowned Black Dyke Band from 2011 to 2020. Among her many accolades, she was the inaugural BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of the Year (2004), a two-time British Open Solo Champion (2006 & 2007), and winner of the Ern Keller International Soloist Award (2007 & 2008). Her achievements on the international stage also include being runner-up at the 5th European Soloist Competition (2010) and winning ‘Best Soloist’ at the 2014 European Brass Band Championships.

Tonight’s competition will open with the Recital Class, followed by performances in Levels 4 and 5, leading up to the Open Classes, where we will hear some of the most advanced musicians in the competition. Each performer will bring their own unique interpretation and technical skill to the stage, making for an exciting evening of brass music.

The competition continues tomorrow, Wednesday 19th March 2025, with further classes across different levels. Doors open at 9am – all welcome to come along and enjoy a day of live music,

The most outstanding musicians from these preliminary rounds will progress to the festival’s prestigious Larg and Premier Classes, held on the Final Night at 7pm, Saturday 22nd March 2025.

We hope you enjoy this evening’s performances as we celebrate the talent and dedication of these exceptional brass musicians. Now, let’s begin with our first performer in the Recital Class.