Coalburn Awards 2017
On the 3rd of February, the Coalburn Bronze Band, Intermediate Band, Silver Band and Percussion Academy came together to celebrate the successes of 2017.
It had been a very memorable year for the Coalburn Brass Band family. The Silver Band represented Scotland at the European Brass Band Championships in Ostend while the Percussion Academy furthered their progress and the Intermediate and Bronze Bands continued their on-going growth and success.
110 people including players, parents and supporters filled the St John’s Hall in Blackwood for the organisation’s 9th Annual Awards night and were joined by special guest for the evening, Christine Blackwood.
Following a wonderful home cooked supper (prepared by Bronze band committee member Helen Damer) the first of the awards focused on the Coalburn Percussion Academy, who celebrated their 4th birthday. Tutor Gordon Millar gave an overview of the year and then presented the ‘Most Improved Player of the Year’ award to the Bronze Band’s percussionist George Anderson. George has grown hugely in confidence over the past year and this has led to some fabulous concert and contest performances.
The next awards were to the children of the Bronze Band. The Best Section prize was awarded to the percussion team of Becca Sinclair, Finlay Damer, George Anderson and Euan Coulter. The Bronze Band’s ‘Band Person of the Year’ award was awarded jointly to Abigail Barrett and Hannah Archibald by the Bronze Band committee. During the past year, both Abigail and Hannah worked incredibly hard and were ever present at both engagements and rehearsals. This, coupled with their positive attitudes and desire to help others, made them an obvious choice.
The ‘George Blackwood Memorial Trophy for the Most Improved Player’ was presented to cornet player Tilly Trickey. Tilly has had a fantastic year playing several solos and leading the cornet team. She also benefitted greatly from her attendance at last year’s NYBBS (National Youth Brass Band of Scotland) summer course. Tilly received her trophy from Mrs Christine Blackwood. Christine is the widow of George Blackwood, a band stalwart who led the Coalburn Junior Band for many years.
Next up was the ‘Children’s Choice Award’. This is a new award and is voted for by the children themselves to a player who they feel deserves to be recognised for their commitment, playing, improvement, behaviour at rehearsals etc. This year the award went to the band’s youngest member, 6 year old Lauren Howarth.
There was a lovely moment at the end of the Bronze Band prize giving when all the children were invited forward by name and presented with an individual medal to recognise their Gold Award and 2nd place at last year’s Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships Preparatory section.
The Intermediate Band awards followed, with Band President Alan Court on hand to announce the prize-winners. The award for ‘Most Improved Player’ went jointly to the band’s solo horn player Eilidh Court and cornet player Matthew Howarth. Both Eilidh and Matthew have worked incredibly hard over the past year and their performances at concert and contest level couldn’t be over looked. The band’s solo cornet player Beth Damer was voted ‘Players’ Player of the Year’. Beth has been ever present at rehearsals and engagements and her concert and contest performances made her a first choice for band members. The ‘Player of the Year’ was awarded to the band’s hugely talented Euphonium player Jack Archibald. Jack has continued to develop throughout the past year and the standard of his playing made him an easy choice for the Band’s MD Jayne Brownlie.
Finally it was the turn of the Silver Band and Gareth Bowman the Band’s Musical Director was on hand to announce the winners. The Best Section this year was the Euphoniums (Ian Jamieson, Helena Dunsmore and Jack Archibald). Gareth commented on the commitment of each player and the great playing throughout the year.
The ‘Conductors Award’ this year went to the band’s Eb bass player, David Fehilly. Gareth commented on David’s willingness to learn a new instrument and fully rise to the challenge. David will basically lift any instrument in the band room and always give it 100%. In the past year David has moved from Bass Trombone to Soprano Cornet and now to Eb bass.
The ‘Band Person of the Year’, voted by band members, went jointly to Alan Court and Daniel Beadle. This is the 9th year in a row that Daniel has won this honour and that speaks volumes to his commitment. Daniel has been the Band Secretary for over a decade, combining this recently with the treasurer’s role. Joining him this year was Band President Alan Court. Alan has been with the band for 40 years now and has been band president for 30 of them. Both men richly deserved this award for outstanding contribution to the working of the band last year.
The final award of the evening, the Silver Band ‘Player of the Year’ award was presented to the band’s principal euphonium, Ian Jamieson. Ian has been outstanding all year since stepping up to the principal seat. His commitment to rehearsals, technical playing and overall sound led to some exceptional contest and concert performances.
In his closing remarks the Silver Band Musical Director, Gareth Bowman, commented that it was great to get all members of the Coalburn Bronze, Intermediate and Silver Bands and the Coalburn Percussion Academy together for the evening. Gareth emphasised the importance of home practice for every member of each band regardless if you are 3rd Cornet, 2nd Baritone or Principal Euphonium. The more time spent on home practice by individuals will benefit every band in the organisation. Gareth highlighted our forthcoming event, ‘Coalburn’s Got Talent’ in June, where he hopes to see as many people perform solos as possible. Gareth also promoted the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS), where in his role as a tutor for the Reserve Band he sees members of our bands making many new friends from all over Scotland. Gareth hopes to see more people from the Coalburn family at NYBBS this summer.
Band President Alan Court brought to an end a wonderful night of celebration, giving the vote of thanks.
The whole Coalburn Brass Band family will appear in concert on Friday 2nd March at Hamilton Baptist Church, Kemp Street, Hamilton. The concert entitled ‘A Family of Brass’. Concert starts at 7.30pm, pay on the door.
Photos courtesy of Archibald Photography.
It had been a very memorable year for the Coalburn Brass Band family. The Silver Band represented Scotland at the European Brass Band Championships in Ostend while the Percussion Academy furthered their progress and the Intermediate and Bronze Bands continued their on-going growth and success.
110 people including players, parents and supporters filled the St John’s Hall in Blackwood for the organisation’s 9th Annual Awards night and were joined by special guest for the evening, Christine Blackwood.
Following a wonderful home cooked supper (prepared by Bronze band committee member Helen Damer) the first of the awards focused on the Coalburn Percussion Academy, who celebrated their 4th birthday. Tutor Gordon Millar gave an overview of the year and then presented the ‘Most Improved Player of the Year’ award to the Bronze Band’s percussionist George Anderson. George has grown hugely in confidence over the past year and this has led to some fabulous concert and contest performances.
The next awards were to the children of the Bronze Band. The Best Section prize was awarded to the percussion team of Becca Sinclair, Finlay Damer, George Anderson and Euan Coulter. The Bronze Band’s ‘Band Person of the Year’ award was awarded jointly to Abigail Barrett and Hannah Archibald by the Bronze Band committee. During the past year, both Abigail and Hannah worked incredibly hard and were ever present at both engagements and rehearsals. This, coupled with their positive attitudes and desire to help others, made them an obvious choice.
The ‘George Blackwood Memorial Trophy for the Most Improved Player’ was presented to cornet player Tilly Trickey. Tilly has had a fantastic year playing several solos and leading the cornet team. She also benefitted greatly from her attendance at last year’s NYBBS (National Youth Brass Band of Scotland) summer course. Tilly received her trophy from Mrs Christine Blackwood. Christine is the widow of George Blackwood, a band stalwart who led the Coalburn Junior Band for many years.
Next up was the ‘Children’s Choice Award’. This is a new award and is voted for by the children themselves to a player who they feel deserves to be recognised for their commitment, playing, improvement, behaviour at rehearsals etc. This year the award went to the band’s youngest member, 6 year old Lauren Howarth.
There was a lovely moment at the end of the Bronze Band prize giving when all the children were invited forward by name and presented with an individual medal to recognise their Gold Award and 2nd place at last year’s Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships Preparatory section.
The Intermediate Band awards followed, with Band President Alan Court on hand to announce the prize-winners. The award for ‘Most Improved Player’ went jointly to the band’s solo horn player Eilidh Court and cornet player Matthew Howarth. Both Eilidh and Matthew have worked incredibly hard over the past year and their performances at concert and contest level couldn’t be over looked. The band’s solo cornet player Beth Damer was voted ‘Players’ Player of the Year’. Beth has been ever present at rehearsals and engagements and her concert and contest performances made her a first choice for band members. The ‘Player of the Year’ was awarded to the band’s hugely talented Euphonium player Jack Archibald. Jack has continued to develop throughout the past year and the standard of his playing made him an easy choice for the Band’s MD Jayne Brownlie.
Finally it was the turn of the Silver Band and Gareth Bowman the Band’s Musical Director was on hand to announce the winners. The Best Section this year was the Euphoniums (Ian Jamieson, Helena Dunsmore and Jack Archibald). Gareth commented on the commitment of each player and the great playing throughout the year.
The ‘Conductors Award’ this year went to the band’s Eb bass player, David Fehilly. Gareth commented on David’s willingness to learn a new instrument and fully rise to the challenge. David will basically lift any instrument in the band room and always give it 100%. In the past year David has moved from Bass Trombone to Soprano Cornet and now to Eb bass.
The ‘Band Person of the Year’, voted by band members, went jointly to Alan Court and Daniel Beadle. This is the 9th year in a row that Daniel has won this honour and that speaks volumes to his commitment. Daniel has been the Band Secretary for over a decade, combining this recently with the treasurer’s role. Joining him this year was Band President Alan Court. Alan has been with the band for 40 years now and has been band president for 30 of them. Both men richly deserved this award for outstanding contribution to the working of the band last year.
The final award of the evening, the Silver Band ‘Player of the Year’ award was presented to the band’s principal euphonium, Ian Jamieson. Ian has been outstanding all year since stepping up to the principal seat. His commitment to rehearsals, technical playing and overall sound led to some exceptional contest and concert performances.
In his closing remarks the Silver Band Musical Director, Gareth Bowman, commented that it was great to get all members of the Coalburn Bronze, Intermediate and Silver Bands and the Coalburn Percussion Academy together for the evening. Gareth emphasised the importance of home practice for every member of each band regardless if you are 3rd Cornet, 2nd Baritone or Principal Euphonium. The more time spent on home practice by individuals will benefit every band in the organisation. Gareth highlighted our forthcoming event, ‘Coalburn’s Got Talent’ in June, where he hopes to see as many people perform solos as possible. Gareth also promoted the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS), where in his role as a tutor for the Reserve Band he sees members of our bands making many new friends from all over Scotland. Gareth hopes to see more people from the Coalburn family at NYBBS this summer.
Band President Alan Court brought to an end a wonderful night of celebration, giving the vote of thanks.
The whole Coalburn Brass Band family will appear in concert on Friday 2nd March at Hamilton Baptist Church, Kemp Street, Hamilton. The concert entitled ‘A Family of Brass’. Concert starts at 7.30pm, pay on the door.
Photos courtesy of Archibald Photography.
