Coalburn look back on 2016
As our bands complete their final engagements for 2016, the organisation reflect on the year past and look forward to the New Year.
At the end of January, the 4 ensembles, the Coalburn Bronze, Intermediate and Silver Bands and the Coalburn Percussion Academy gathered together at Hollandbush Golf Club for our annual awards night. There was a feast of prizes across all 4 groups. Prizes awarded for each ensemble included, Player of the Year, Conductor Prize, Players’ Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, Band Person of the Year. The George Blackwood Memorial Trophy was also presented to the most improved Player in the Coalburn Bronze Band. Two very special awards followed as the band awarded Gordon Millar and Daniel Beadle with Honorary Life Membership, awarded to those individuals who have given outstanding commitment over a number of years to the work of the band. For a full list of prize-winners please go to - http://www.coalburnsilverband.co.uk/coalburn-celebrate-2015.html
All 3 bands performed in concert at Moncreiff Parish Church in East Kilbride at the beginning of March. The programme was varied with the Silver Band previewing their test piece for the Scottish Championships, ‘The Mermaid of Zennor’ and the Intermediate Band performed their programme in advance of their performance in Section 4B in Perth. The Bronze Band also performed under their new conductor, David Fehilly.
One of the highlights of the year for the Silver Band arrived the following week at Scottish Championships, held at the Perth Concert Hall. Under the baton of MD Gareth Bowman they were drawn first from 12 bands in their section and impressed the adjudicators to win the competition and be crowned 2nd Section Scottish Champions. The following day, the Coalburn Intermediate Band conducted by Kyle MacCorquodale also took to the stage at Perth Concert Hall to perform their concert programme in Section 4B and received glowing remarks from adjudicator, John Boax.
In April, the Silver Band returned to the contest stage and performed a varied programme at the Fife Brass Band Festival at Dunfermline, finishing 4th in the 2nd section. Our programme included Amazonia from Windows of the World, Concerto de Aranjuez, Hawaii Five-O and Calon y Ddraig. At the end of April, the Silver Band also performed in the 90th Birthday Concert for the Lanark Memorial. The band performed alongside Lanark & District Pipe Band, The Choir of St Mary’s, Lanark Grammar School Drama Department, ICE, LAMS and the Lanark Panto Club where proceeds were donated to Poppy Scotland.
May was a busy month for concerts, firstly the Bronze and Silver Bands performed in Livingstone Memorial Church in Blantyre. The theme was ‘Night at the Movies’. The Silver Band also performed a concert programme at an Open Day at Low Parks Museum in Hamilton before being joined at the beginning of June by the Intermediate Band when we took our movie themed concert to East Kilbride Old Parish Church.
Members of the Intermediate and Silver Band participated in gala days throughout South Lanarkshire during the month of June, however it was great that we could also hold a joint rehearsal and solo competition, with all 3 bands and the percussion academy working through varied repertoire. There were plenty of solos for adjudicators Gareth and David. It was a super afternoon and joys to see soloists both young and old take to the floor.
August saw 5 young folks from the organisation attend the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) summer course. The end of course concert was fantastic and congratulations go to all players who attended. Special mention to Anna Biggart who will be promoted to the Senior Band in 2017.
September was a busy month, starting with a concert at Woodpark Primary School, Lesmahagow featuring the Coalburn Bronze and Silver Bands. The Silver Band played some concert items and also previewed their test piece for the National Brass Band Championships, ‘Images for Brass’ by Stephen Bulla. The following weekend the Silver Band travelled to Cheltenham to represent Scotland at the Nationals Championships. All had a fantastic weekend and the band played well finishing in the middle of a very competitive pack of bands from throughout the UK. September also saw the Bronze band performing at the Kirkmuirhill Flower Show and the Auchlochan Retirement Village.
October saw the Silver and Intermediate Band join forces again to perform in concert at Trinity Parish Church in Larkhall. The Silver Band programme included pieces such as Toto’s, Africa, Pure Imagination from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Beatles’, With a Little Help from My Friends. The Intermediate Band and their new conductor Jayne Brownlie performed well-known music from the Rocky films and Grease.
At the end of the month, our organisation welcomed Dávur Juul Magnussen, principal trombone of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra to host an open day. The event was held in Lesmahagow and the bands worked in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council Instrumental Services and Besson Musical Instruments. The focus of the day was on inspiring the young players with an emphasis on recruitment. We had a fabulous day and seen a number of young folks join both our Bronze and Intermediate Bands ensembles.
The Silver Band attended the Scottish Challenge contest in Kilmarnock in November, performed well and were placed 11th out of the 20th and received some positive and constructive comments from the 2 adjudicators. The Bronze Band travelled to Perth and took part in the Preparatory Section of the Youth Championships, the band played superbly and were awarded third place overall and a Silver certificate.
December is always a really busy month for brass bands and Coalburn is no different. The Bronze and Intermediate Band’s shared the stage with the Stonehouse Male Voice Choir for a spectacular Christmas concert in Larkhall. The Bronze Band performed Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman, White Christmas and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The Intermediate Band featured Christmas music such as All I Want for Christmas, Merry Christmas Everybody and In the Bleak Midwinter. The Silver Band’s sold out concert with the Strathaven Choral Society is always a highlight too. This year the band performed pieces such as Festive Frenzy, Three Kings Swing, The Christmas Song and Apex.
Our Percussion Academy also goes from strength to strength, it’s goal is to tutor the percussion teams for all ensembles. Boasting a membership of 8, they meet at the band hall on a Saturday morning.
The Coalburn Brass Band family continue to grow and develop with a real emphasis on musical education. The organisation is lucky to have their own rehearsal facility in Coalburn and a full diary of events for 2017.
The Silver Band currently have vacancies for a tutti solo cornet and soprano cornet players and we would be delighted to hear from anyone that would be interested in joining our band. The Silver Band rehearses on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 7.45 – 9.45pm.
Our Intermediate Band also would be welcome bass, baritone and cornet players to get in touch. The band rehearses on a Monday evening from 7 until 9pm.
We welcome anyone interested in joining our bands to get in touch. To find out more please email [email protected]
At the end of January, the 4 ensembles, the Coalburn Bronze, Intermediate and Silver Bands and the Coalburn Percussion Academy gathered together at Hollandbush Golf Club for our annual awards night. There was a feast of prizes across all 4 groups. Prizes awarded for each ensemble included, Player of the Year, Conductor Prize, Players’ Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, Band Person of the Year. The George Blackwood Memorial Trophy was also presented to the most improved Player in the Coalburn Bronze Band. Two very special awards followed as the band awarded Gordon Millar and Daniel Beadle with Honorary Life Membership, awarded to those individuals who have given outstanding commitment over a number of years to the work of the band. For a full list of prize-winners please go to - http://www.coalburnsilverband.co.uk/coalburn-celebrate-2015.html
All 3 bands performed in concert at Moncreiff Parish Church in East Kilbride at the beginning of March. The programme was varied with the Silver Band previewing their test piece for the Scottish Championships, ‘The Mermaid of Zennor’ and the Intermediate Band performed their programme in advance of their performance in Section 4B in Perth. The Bronze Band also performed under their new conductor, David Fehilly.
One of the highlights of the year for the Silver Band arrived the following week at Scottish Championships, held at the Perth Concert Hall. Under the baton of MD Gareth Bowman they were drawn first from 12 bands in their section and impressed the adjudicators to win the competition and be crowned 2nd Section Scottish Champions. The following day, the Coalburn Intermediate Band conducted by Kyle MacCorquodale also took to the stage at Perth Concert Hall to perform their concert programme in Section 4B and received glowing remarks from adjudicator, John Boax.
In April, the Silver Band returned to the contest stage and performed a varied programme at the Fife Brass Band Festival at Dunfermline, finishing 4th in the 2nd section. Our programme included Amazonia from Windows of the World, Concerto de Aranjuez, Hawaii Five-O and Calon y Ddraig. At the end of April, the Silver Band also performed in the 90th Birthday Concert for the Lanark Memorial. The band performed alongside Lanark & District Pipe Band, The Choir of St Mary’s, Lanark Grammar School Drama Department, ICE, LAMS and the Lanark Panto Club where proceeds were donated to Poppy Scotland.
May was a busy month for concerts, firstly the Bronze and Silver Bands performed in Livingstone Memorial Church in Blantyre. The theme was ‘Night at the Movies’. The Silver Band also performed a concert programme at an Open Day at Low Parks Museum in Hamilton before being joined at the beginning of June by the Intermediate Band when we took our movie themed concert to East Kilbride Old Parish Church.
Members of the Intermediate and Silver Band participated in gala days throughout South Lanarkshire during the month of June, however it was great that we could also hold a joint rehearsal and solo competition, with all 3 bands and the percussion academy working through varied repertoire. There were plenty of solos for adjudicators Gareth and David. It was a super afternoon and joys to see soloists both young and old take to the floor.
August saw 5 young folks from the organisation attend the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) summer course. The end of course concert was fantastic and congratulations go to all players who attended. Special mention to Anna Biggart who will be promoted to the Senior Band in 2017.
September was a busy month, starting with a concert at Woodpark Primary School, Lesmahagow featuring the Coalburn Bronze and Silver Bands. The Silver Band played some concert items and also previewed their test piece for the National Brass Band Championships, ‘Images for Brass’ by Stephen Bulla. The following weekend the Silver Band travelled to Cheltenham to represent Scotland at the Nationals Championships. All had a fantastic weekend and the band played well finishing in the middle of a very competitive pack of bands from throughout the UK. September also saw the Bronze band performing at the Kirkmuirhill Flower Show and the Auchlochan Retirement Village.
October saw the Silver and Intermediate Band join forces again to perform in concert at Trinity Parish Church in Larkhall. The Silver Band programme included pieces such as Toto’s, Africa, Pure Imagination from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Beatles’, With a Little Help from My Friends. The Intermediate Band and their new conductor Jayne Brownlie performed well-known music from the Rocky films and Grease.
At the end of the month, our organisation welcomed Dávur Juul Magnussen, principal trombone of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra to host an open day. The event was held in Lesmahagow and the bands worked in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council Instrumental Services and Besson Musical Instruments. The focus of the day was on inspiring the young players with an emphasis on recruitment. We had a fabulous day and seen a number of young folks join both our Bronze and Intermediate Bands ensembles.
The Silver Band attended the Scottish Challenge contest in Kilmarnock in November, performed well and were placed 11th out of the 20th and received some positive and constructive comments from the 2 adjudicators. The Bronze Band travelled to Perth and took part in the Preparatory Section of the Youth Championships, the band played superbly and were awarded third place overall and a Silver certificate.
December is always a really busy month for brass bands and Coalburn is no different. The Bronze and Intermediate Band’s shared the stage with the Stonehouse Male Voice Choir for a spectacular Christmas concert in Larkhall. The Bronze Band performed Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman, White Christmas and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The Intermediate Band featured Christmas music such as All I Want for Christmas, Merry Christmas Everybody and In the Bleak Midwinter. The Silver Band’s sold out concert with the Strathaven Choral Society is always a highlight too. This year the band performed pieces such as Festive Frenzy, Three Kings Swing, The Christmas Song and Apex.
Our Percussion Academy also goes from strength to strength, it’s goal is to tutor the percussion teams for all ensembles. Boasting a membership of 8, they meet at the band hall on a Saturday morning.
The Coalburn Brass Band family continue to grow and develop with a real emphasis on musical education. The organisation is lucky to have their own rehearsal facility in Coalburn and a full diary of events for 2017.
The Silver Band currently have vacancies for a tutti solo cornet and soprano cornet players and we would be delighted to hear from anyone that would be interested in joining our band. The Silver Band rehearses on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 7.45 – 9.45pm.
Our Intermediate Band also would be welcome bass, baritone and cornet players to get in touch. The band rehearses on a Monday evening from 7 until 9pm.
We welcome anyone interested in joining our bands to get in touch. To find out more please email [email protected]