Perth Concert Hall came alive on Thursday evening as the Perform in Perth 2026 festival showcased an inspiring programme of wind bands and orchestras, highlighting both emerging school talent and accomplished community ensembles. From the stirring grandeur of Holst to the cinematic sweep of modern film scores, the evening offered a rich and varied musical journey.
Proceedings began with the Intermediate Schools Wind Band class, where Perth Academy Wind Band, under the assured direction of Dorothy Purcell, delivered a confident and atmospheric rendition of Mars from The Planets. The ensemble captured the relentless drive and tension of Holst’s score, before switching gears to a lively, crowd-pleasing Hooked on a Feeling, which demonstrated their versatility and flair.
Their counterparts, Perth High School Wind Band, also conducted by Purcell, brought contrast and precision to the stage. Caprice by William Himes showcased tight ensemble work and rhythmic clarity, while You’ll Be Back from Hamilton was performed with wit and charm, drawing warm appreciation from the audience.
The non-school Wind Band class saw the 25th Stirling (Dunblane) Boys’ Brigade Band take to the stage with a confident and engaging programme. Their performance of Encanto sparkled with colour and rhythmic vitality, while Amparito Roca brought a traditional Spanish flair, full of character and dynamic contrast. Under the joint baton of Fraser Boyd and Ben Tullis, the band displayed a strong sense of unity and musical maturity.
The evening’s highlight came with the Advanced Schools Orchestra class, competing for the prestigious Jean Harkess Memorial Trophy.
Perth High School Orchestra, led by Catherine Black, opened with Dvořák’s Slavonic Dance No. 8, delivering a spirited and stylistically aware performance, rich in energy and national character.
Perth Academy Orchestra, conducted by C. Scrimgeour, presented an ambitious and varied programme. Vivaldiana was handled with elegance and clarity, while Nimrod from Elgar’s Enigma Variations was a standout moment of the evening—sensitive, expansive, and deeply expressive. Their set concluded with the lively Cumberland Cross, showcasing rhythmic precision and ensemble cohesion.
From further afield, Larbert High School Orchestra, under Bláithín Kerr, brought theatrical flair to their programme. A dramatic Hall of the Mountain King built tension effectively, while Pirates of the Caribbean and Skyfall injected cinematic excitement and modern appeal, earning enthusiastic applause.
In the non-school Orchestra class, the Perth Youth Orchestra, conducted by Lorna McGovern, delivered a polished and confident performance. Opening Night set a celebratory tone, while Into the Storm provided a dramatic and technically demanding conclusion, handled with impressive control and musicality.
The evening concluded on a lighter note with the non-competitive “Music is Fun – Anything Goes!” class. The Kinross Kacophony Orchestra, under Douglas Flower, embraced the spirit of the category with gusto. Their rendition of Baba Yetu was both uplifting and heartfelt, while The Wishing Well provided a lyrical and optimistic close to the night’s proceedings.
Results
Perthshire Youth Brass, conducted by Willie McMullan, achieved an outstanding score of 93 to win the Brass Band (non-school) class.
In the Intermediate Schools Wind Band category, Perth High School Wind Band, conducted by Dorothy Purcell, secured first place with 81 points, closely followed by Perth Academy Wind Band, also conducted by Dorothy Purcell, with 79.
The non-school Wind Band class was won by the 25th Stirling (Dunblane) Boys’ Brigade Band with a score of 83. In the Advanced Schools Orchestra competition, Larbert High School Orchestra, conducted by Blaithin Kerr, won the Jean Harkess Memorial Trophy with 83 points, narrowly ahead of Perth High School Orchestra (Catherine Black) and Perth Academy Orchestra (C. Scrimgeour), who both scored 82.
Perth Youth Orchestra, conducted by Mrs Lorna McGovern, won the non-school Orchestra class with a strong performance scoring 85.
The evening concluded with Kinross based Kacophony Orchestra’s joyous performances under the baton of Dougas Flower.