Introducing the Jedforest Instrumental Band

Founded in 1854 in the historic Scottish Borders town of Jedburgh, the Jedforest Instrumental Band stands as one of the oldest brass band organisations in the United Kingdom.

Born from a community desire for local music, the band has woven itself into the fabric of Scottish cultural heritage for over 170 years, even surviving the heavy losses of the First World War. Today, the organisation is a thriving multi-generational hub, supporting up to 60 players aged 7 to 80 across two tiers: the competitive Senior Band and a stand-alone developmental band called Abbey Brass. Their dedication to the community was famously celebrated in 2001 when HRH The Princess Royal officially opened their custom-built rehearsal space, The Mission Hall.

​While deeply rooted in tradition, Jedforest Instrumental Band has built a formidable reputation as a competitive powerhouse on the national stage. After securing their first national title in 1969, the band experienced a massive surge of modern success, earning a prestigious Major National Award in 2005 for raising the profile of UK brass music. Jedforest went on to claim the Scottish 3rd Section Championship in 2012 and the 2nd Section Championship in 2015, repeatedly representing Scotland at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. Their historic fifth-place finish at the 2012 National Finals in Cheltenham made them the highest-placing Scottish band of the tournament.

Under the recent leadership of conductor Phil Rosier, Jedforest Instrumental Band continues to dominate local stages, recently capturing an overall victory at the Borders Entertainment Contest and proving that its passion for musical excellence is as vibrant today as it was nearly two centuries ago.