2024 Awards Night
Coalburn Brass Band Family celebrated 2024 at their annual awards night on Friday 10 January.
Band President Alan Court began the evening by introducing Mark Good as our guest for the evening. Mark is currently the musical director of both Riverside Youth Band and Renfrew Burgh Band and is the Marketing Coordinator for John Packer Musical Instruments, Rath Trombones and Taylor Trumpets. We were delighted that Mark could join us to present the awards.
The first group of awards was for our Brass Beginners. Tutor Gill Howarth commented, ‘ It is an honour to work with the beginners group. They have made fantastic progress and gave an incredible performance at the Christmas concert. They bring along such excitement and enthusiasm to every session and work hard at home.’ The Brass Beginners members in 2024 were Amber Hamilton, Amelie Beedel, Carra Beadle, Eloise Beedel, Gabriel Hadley, Isaac Patterson, Rebecca Cosgrove and Sophie Bryson.
Next up was the Percussion Academy which is led by our tutor Robbie Bremner. Robbie reflecting on the year past said, ‘The Percussion Academy has been a joy to teach and we keep going from strength to strength. Pushing each other forward – I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings.’ The Percussion Academy includes Clare Symonds, Graham Pate, Gregor Naismith, Hollie Reid, Lincoln Martin-Barrera, Megan Cowan and William Glassford.
The award for most improved player wasn’t an easy decision for Robbie. This was deservedly presented to Hollie Reid for the big improvements she has made over the past year. Well done Hollie!
The Bronze Band was next to receive their awards. Bronze Band Coordinator Debbie Court opened by thanking their Musical Director Jim Park for all of his hard work during his first year with the band. Debbie also thanked Gill Howarth for her work with the beginners, Catriona Squires, Matthew Howarth and all Intermediate and Silver Band members for their assistance throughout the year. Debbie gave a special mention to Alex Sheridan who attends and supports the band members.
The Bronze Band’s first award was the Children’s Choice voted for by band members. This year’s winner was Lincoln Martin-Barrera. Band members commented that Lincoln is encouraging, friendly and brings a lot of fun to rehearsals.
The Band Person of the Year, chosen by the tutors and coordinator, was awarded to Gregor Naismith. Gregor usually plays percussion with the band but is multi-talented and is also learning the trombone at school. For the Scottish Youth Championships in Perth, Gregor stepped in to support the young trombone section and did brilliantly.
Jim Park then announced the next two awards and commented on how much he has enjoyed conducting the Bronze Band since he was appointed in May. He has been delighted with their progress and increased stamina which led them to be crowned champions of the novice section at the Scottish Youth Championships - their hard word certainly paid off!
The award for Best Section for the Bronze Band went to the back row cornets due to their excellent teamwork and progress they have made in their playing. In the back row in the year past was Ayla Banchio, Caitlin Birch, Charlie Gray, Ellie Gray, Leah Hamilton and Zoe Beedell.
The final award for the Bronze Band was the George Blackwood Memorial Award for the most improved band member. The award commemorates George who was a lifelong member, band stalwart and inspiration for younger members. This year the award went to Mara Ramsay, well done Mara!
After a short refreshment break, it was the turn of the Intermediate Band. Their Musical Director Gareth Bowman also said how much he had enjoyed conducting the band since he took over in March. The band is working very hard which was rewarded at the Borders Entertainment contest where they received the trophy for the best 4th section band.
Intermediate Band coordinator Cameron Raeburn presented the first award - Players’ Player of the Year which was voted by band members. It was very close with 4 contenders with Katie Abernethy receiving the most votes! Gareth also agreed with band members and presented Katie with the Conductor’s Award for 2024 for her excellent playing throughout the year.
The Most Improved Player award was won by Joshua Glassford. Joshua has made excellent progress over the last year and is continuing to develop his big bass trombone sound. Joshua along with his fellow trombones, Elen Foley and Samuel Ramsay were awarded best section - the second year in a row.
Gareth presented the final Intermediate Band award and Player of the Year to Raymond McGaghey. ‘Rockin’ Raymond is the band’s drum kit player and metronome and always plays with style at concerts and contests.
Next up was the Long Service Awards which recognised members for their service to our organisation with the following awards made:
5 years service - Stuart Abernethy and Raymond McGaghey
15 years service - Nicola Henderson
30 years service - Helena Dunsmore
Thank you all for your contribution to Coalburn Brass Band Family!
The night moved on to the Silver Band awards presented by their Musical Director Gareth Bowman. Gareth commented on the successful year with the band securing their place at the championship section for 2025 by being placed 5th at the Scottish Championships. Players had worked so hard to achieve this and requires even more in the forthcoming year. Gareth also reflected on the band’s great performance at the West of Scotland contest were the band took home the runner’s up trophy.
The first award was voted by members with the Band Person of the Year being awarded jointly to Daniel Beadle and Catronia Squires - with the vote tied. Both Catriona and Daniel were recognised by their peers for all of the work they do behind the scenes.
Gareth presented the conductor’s award for 2024 to Ross Abernethy. Ross was awarded for his excellent contribution to the euphonium and baritone section, being a great team player and for his preparation for rehearsals and performance. The section of the year was presented to the bass team - Alan Court, Euan Court, Ross Mercer, Owen Campbell and Sophie Smart. Our basses provided an excellent foundation for our band, have great camaraderie and received many positive comments from adjudicators about their quality of sound.
Gareth's last award was for the Player of the Year and was presented to the band’s principal cornet, Euan Roberts. Euan has done brilliantly since stepping up into the top chair after the summer, delivering superb performances on the concert and contest stage. Silver Band members agreed with this and Euan was also awarded with the Players’ Player of the Year!
Mark Good commented at the end of the presentations that he had been delighted to join us for the evening and that everyone at the Coalburn Brass Band should continue to work together to ensure that organisation continues to be as fantastic as it is!
Alan concluded the evening with a vote of thanks to all who attended, and offered particular thanks to Coalburn Miners Welfare for hosting and to Debbie for the fabulous food.
We are very grateful to Archibald Photography and to Stuart from Stroba Design for designing and manufacturing the awards.
Band President Alan Court began the evening by introducing Mark Good as our guest for the evening. Mark is currently the musical director of both Riverside Youth Band and Renfrew Burgh Band and is the Marketing Coordinator for John Packer Musical Instruments, Rath Trombones and Taylor Trumpets. We were delighted that Mark could join us to present the awards.
The first group of awards was for our Brass Beginners. Tutor Gill Howarth commented, ‘ It is an honour to work with the beginners group. They have made fantastic progress and gave an incredible performance at the Christmas concert. They bring along such excitement and enthusiasm to every session and work hard at home.’ The Brass Beginners members in 2024 were Amber Hamilton, Amelie Beedel, Carra Beadle, Eloise Beedel, Gabriel Hadley, Isaac Patterson, Rebecca Cosgrove and Sophie Bryson.
Next up was the Percussion Academy which is led by our tutor Robbie Bremner. Robbie reflecting on the year past said, ‘The Percussion Academy has been a joy to teach and we keep going from strength to strength. Pushing each other forward – I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings.’ The Percussion Academy includes Clare Symonds, Graham Pate, Gregor Naismith, Hollie Reid, Lincoln Martin-Barrera, Megan Cowan and William Glassford.
The award for most improved player wasn’t an easy decision for Robbie. This was deservedly presented to Hollie Reid for the big improvements she has made over the past year. Well done Hollie!
The Bronze Band was next to receive their awards. Bronze Band Coordinator Debbie Court opened by thanking their Musical Director Jim Park for all of his hard work during his first year with the band. Debbie also thanked Gill Howarth for her work with the beginners, Catriona Squires, Matthew Howarth and all Intermediate and Silver Band members for their assistance throughout the year. Debbie gave a special mention to Alex Sheridan who attends and supports the band members.
The Bronze Band’s first award was the Children’s Choice voted for by band members. This year’s winner was Lincoln Martin-Barrera. Band members commented that Lincoln is encouraging, friendly and brings a lot of fun to rehearsals.
The Band Person of the Year, chosen by the tutors and coordinator, was awarded to Gregor Naismith. Gregor usually plays percussion with the band but is multi-talented and is also learning the trombone at school. For the Scottish Youth Championships in Perth, Gregor stepped in to support the young trombone section and did brilliantly.
Jim Park then announced the next two awards and commented on how much he has enjoyed conducting the Bronze Band since he was appointed in May. He has been delighted with their progress and increased stamina which led them to be crowned champions of the novice section at the Scottish Youth Championships - their hard word certainly paid off!
The award for Best Section for the Bronze Band went to the back row cornets due to their excellent teamwork and progress they have made in their playing. In the back row in the year past was Ayla Banchio, Caitlin Birch, Charlie Gray, Ellie Gray, Leah Hamilton and Zoe Beedell.
The final award for the Bronze Band was the George Blackwood Memorial Award for the most improved band member. The award commemorates George who was a lifelong member, band stalwart and inspiration for younger members. This year the award went to Mara Ramsay, well done Mara!
After a short refreshment break, it was the turn of the Intermediate Band. Their Musical Director Gareth Bowman also said how much he had enjoyed conducting the band since he took over in March. The band is working very hard which was rewarded at the Borders Entertainment contest where they received the trophy for the best 4th section band.
Intermediate Band coordinator Cameron Raeburn presented the first award - Players’ Player of the Year which was voted by band members. It was very close with 4 contenders with Katie Abernethy receiving the most votes! Gareth also agreed with band members and presented Katie with the Conductor’s Award for 2024 for her excellent playing throughout the year.
The Most Improved Player award was won by Joshua Glassford. Joshua has made excellent progress over the last year and is continuing to develop his big bass trombone sound. Joshua along with his fellow trombones, Elen Foley and Samuel Ramsay were awarded best section - the second year in a row.
Gareth presented the final Intermediate Band award and Player of the Year to Raymond McGaghey. ‘Rockin’ Raymond is the band’s drum kit player and metronome and always plays with style at concerts and contests.
Next up was the Long Service Awards which recognised members for their service to our organisation with the following awards made:
5 years service - Stuart Abernethy and Raymond McGaghey
15 years service - Nicola Henderson
30 years service - Helena Dunsmore
Thank you all for your contribution to Coalburn Brass Band Family!
The night moved on to the Silver Band awards presented by their Musical Director Gareth Bowman. Gareth commented on the successful year with the band securing their place at the championship section for 2025 by being placed 5th at the Scottish Championships. Players had worked so hard to achieve this and requires even more in the forthcoming year. Gareth also reflected on the band’s great performance at the West of Scotland contest were the band took home the runner’s up trophy.
The first award was voted by members with the Band Person of the Year being awarded jointly to Daniel Beadle and Catronia Squires - with the vote tied. Both Catriona and Daniel were recognised by their peers for all of the work they do behind the scenes.
Gareth presented the conductor’s award for 2024 to Ross Abernethy. Ross was awarded for his excellent contribution to the euphonium and baritone section, being a great team player and for his preparation for rehearsals and performance. The section of the year was presented to the bass team - Alan Court, Euan Court, Ross Mercer, Owen Campbell and Sophie Smart. Our basses provided an excellent foundation for our band, have great camaraderie and received many positive comments from adjudicators about their quality of sound.
Gareth's last award was for the Player of the Year and was presented to the band’s principal cornet, Euan Roberts. Euan has done brilliantly since stepping up into the top chair after the summer, delivering superb performances on the concert and contest stage. Silver Band members agreed with this and Euan was also awarded with the Players’ Player of the Year!
Mark Good commented at the end of the presentations that he had been delighted to join us for the evening and that everyone at the Coalburn Brass Band should continue to work together to ensure that organisation continues to be as fantastic as it is!
Alan concluded the evening with a vote of thanks to all who attended, and offered particular thanks to Coalburn Miners Welfare for hosting and to Debbie for the fabulous food.
We are very grateful to Archibald Photography and to Stuart from Stroba Design for designing and manufacturing the awards.
