An evening of exceptional young musical talent was showcased at St Leonard’s-in-the-Fields Church as part of the Perform in Perth Festival, with brass competitors delivering a varied and engaging programme under the expert adjudication of Katrina Marzella.

Proceedings began with the Level 4 Trumpet/Cornet/Flugelhorn Solo class, where competitors performed Tongue in Cheek by Leslie Pearson. Lleyton Sneddon (25th Stirling (Dunblane) Boys’ Brigade), Sebastian Hanrahan (Craigclowan School), and Matthew Gibb (Kinross High School) all demonstrated confidence and musical flair in a lively opening to the evening.

In the accompanying Level 4 Euphonium/Baritone/Bass Solo class, Luke Mackay of Perth Academy delivered a strong and characterful interpretation of the same work, impressing both audience and adjudicator.

The trombone class followed, featuring Send in the Clowns by Stephen Sondheim (arr. Iveson). Samuel Neil and Elizabeth Gummow, both of Perth Academy, offered expressive performances, highlighting the lyrical qualities of the instrument.

A step up in difficulty came with the Level 5 Trumpet Solo class, where Max Rutherford (Kinross High School) performed Sliding Doors by Pam Wedgwood with style and control. In the Advanced Trumpet class, Molly Laybourn (Glenalmond College) gave a poised rendition of Georgian Song by Mily Balakirev.

Continuing the programme, Amelia Westwood (Crieff High School) performed Tequila Sunrise (Wedgwood) in the Level 5 Cornet/Flugelhorn class, while Callum Turner (Perth Academy) brought warmth and sensitivity to A Trumpeter’s Lullaby by Leroy Anderson in the Advanced section.

The French Horn class saw Esme Cheung and Martha Condon (both Perth Academy) perform Romance by Camille Saint-Saëns with expressive phrasing and tonal control.

Lower brass featured strongly later in the evening. Jamie Carstairs impressed in the Level 5 Tuba class with The Happy Farmer (Variations) by Robert Schumann, while Murray Fletcher (25th Stirling (Dunblane) Boys’ Brigade) gave a refined performance of Andante by Antonio Capuzzi (arr. Catelinet) in the Advanced class.

In the Advanced Euphonium/Baritone Solo class, Eoin Robertson (Perth Academy) demonstrated both technical assurance and musical maturity in Andante and Scherzo by Reginald Heath.

The Brass Recital Class provided a highlight of the evening, with Nancy Grant (Morrison’s Academy) delivering an accomplished French Horn programme, including works by Franz Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, showcasing both lyrical and virtuosic playing.

The evening concluded with the Advanced Trombone class, where Thomas Crawford (Glenalmond College) and Eoin Robertson (Perth Academy) performed The Acrobat by J.A. Greenwood, bringing the session to an energetic close.

Adjudicator Katrina Marzella praised the high standard across all classes, noting the performers’ musicality, commitment, and technical development. The session reflected the strength of brass teaching in the region and the continued importance of performance opportunities such as Perform in Perth in nurturing young musicians.