2013 Awards Night

Saturday, 1st February 2014 saw the annual Coalburn Silver and Bronze Band awards night at the Coalburn Miners Welfare.

The night was a celebration of the year past and was attended by 150 band members, supporters and family members. Mr Graeme Barclay, Instrumental Music Co-ordinator for South Lanarkshire Council was on hand to present the awards.

The night started with music from the Coalburn Ensemble, a group of 5 children who played a compilation of music from the stage show Chicago.

Coalburn Bronze Band (Children’s Band) now boasts a membership of 45 children and young people and celebrated another successful year under the baton of Musical Director Mrs Jayne Brownlie. The first award of the night was the best section and this was awarded to the Euphonium section, comprising 11 year old Jack Archibald and 15 year old Charlie Anderson.

The George Blackwood Memorial Trophy was the next award and this trophy was established in memory of the late George Blackwood, a band stalwart who led the children’s band for many years and goes to the most improved player. This was awarded to 14 year old Trombonist Rachel Ramsey and presented by Mrs Christine Blackwood. The final Bronze Band award is the Band Person Of The Year and this is chosen by the band committee and recognises outstanding contribution towards the band. This year’s recipient and receiving a silver salver was 15 year old Emily Barclay.

The Bronze Band ‘Alternative Awards’ followed with much fun and hilarity greeting the reluctant recipients, awards such as ‘Chatterbox of the year’ and ‘Most Infectious Laugh’ were well received by all present.

Next up was the Intermediate Band Awards, this is the first year, since the inception of the new band in the spring of 2013 and 2 awards were up for grabs, the Player Of The Year and the Most Improved Player of the year. Ann McKillop, one of the band’s percussion team was the winner of the Most Improved Player of the year. In the past year she has gone from a beginner to an accomplished brass band percussionist. The Player Of The Year Award was presented to the fabulous 15 year old Emily Barclay, she has been an ever present in the band room and her ability to ‘hold the tune’ at rehearsal and engagements made her a natural choice for the band’s Musical Director Kyle MacCorquodale.

The Silver Band awards followed and the first award was the Conductor’s Award and was presented to the band’s Solo Euphonium player Chris Downing. Next up was the section of the year and this was awarded to the Euphonium and Baritone section, comprising, Chris Downing, Eilidh Brian, Ian Jamieson, Gordon Millar and Helena Dunsmore. The Band person of the year award is voted for by the band members and this year was presented by band stalwart George Pirie, there were 2 winners, Band Secretary and Treasurer, Daniel Beadle and Gordon Millar who has been an inspiration to all through his commitment to both the Intermediate and Bronze Bands.

The main award of the evening was the Silver Band Player of The Year and this was chosen by the band’s Musical Director Gareth Bowman, the recipient was Rachel Carmichael nee Baxter. Rachel only re-joined the band last year and her contribution has been immense. Rachel who hails from Lesmahagow and who played with the band as a child has developed into one of the most talented Tenor Horn players in Scotland. She won the best instrumentalist at last year’s Scottish Championship and was a very popular choice. Rachel is pictured receiving her award from Graeme Barclay.

Two special awards followed, firstly a presentation of a clock to long term band member and recently retired hall keeper George Pirie. George has been associated with the band for 4 decades now and has recently retired from both hall keeping and playing duties. His outstanding contribution to the organisation was portrayed by Band President Alan Court who made the presentation.

The final presentation of the night was to the Silver Band’s Musical Director Gareth Bowman. Gareth has now been with the band for 10 years and has led the band to it’s most successful period in it’s 112 year history. An exceptionally talented musician and conductor who has immersed himself in the life of the band, he travels twice weekly from Greenock to Coalburn for rehearsals and above all ensures making music is fun.

Band President Alan Court commented ‘’this has been a wonderful night of celebration for the organisation, we now boast over 100 members through our 3 bands and look forward with much anticipation and excitement to the forthcoming year where in addition to a full diary of events we hope to establish our new percussion academy’’

A wonderful buffet and disco followed, rounding off what was a fabulous night of celebration for Coalburn’s thriving brass bands.