Registered Charity in Scotland No. SC033163 |
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Registered Charity in Scotland No. SC033163 |
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We take a look at the entrants in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
For many years, Annan has maintained a successful town band which is also the oldest surviving musical group in Annan, but the origins of the band go back further than most people realise. When some old buildings in the town were being demolished in 1950 a stonemason found a faded piece of paper on which were written the rules of the Lower Annandale Band - the date on the paper was 1834. One curious regulation stipulated that if a member of the band was heard to describe of the band as “rotten” he would be fined one shilling, but if a committee member slandered the band in a similar fashion the fine was upped to two shillings. It is known that a “first rate band” – the Lower Annandale, played in the Riding of the Marches in 1850. The next report was in 1898 when a band was provided money to buy instruments, which were all lost within 18 months. In September 1900 about 20 workers from Newbie Engineering Works formed the Multitubular and String Band. Later that year it became a Multitubular Brass Band and in 1901 changed its name to Annan Town Band and continued under Bandmaster Jardine until the outbreak of the First World War. In June 1916 a letter appeared in the press noting that a set of instruments was lying dormant and within three months the band was playing at Eaglesfield Sports Day. In 1927 a set of second hand instruments were purchased from the disbanded Langholm Temperance Band for £105 and some of these were still being used by the band up until 1996. In 1928 a new conductor was appointed with a salary of £25 per annum. Musically the band progressed very quickly during the 1930’s taking part in contests/festivals in Dumfries (1931), Newcastleton (1933) and Galashiels (1934) but the results of these contests are not known. During this period, however, the band’s finances were far from satisfactory and the Town Council recognised the band’s hardship by instituting a voluntary levy of 1/2d on the rates in 1935. This enabled the band to carry on until the declaration of war in 1939. The band continued to function during hostilities, the highlights of the band’s engagements being the International Football Matches then being played at Palmerston Park, the “home” ground of the Norwegian Army in exile. In common with other organisations, it took two or three years for things to return to normal after the hostilities. In 1950 there was a change of conductor and in 1961 there was an influx of players due to the opening of Chapelcross Power Station. During its life, the band has rehearsed in various buildings and in 1992 found a more permanent home in the Blue Bell Inn and has remained there since. In 1990 David Shanks was approached to consider conducting the band. David accepted the position and has helped the band grow ever since. Following the success of the first Riding of the Marches Contest, which was arranged by the band, it was intended to enter National Contests and thereafter the band entered a new era as a contesting force. In 1992 the band attempted their first ever Scottish Championships and achieved second place, also giving promotion. This success was repeated in 1993, 1997 and 1998 – four National Championships in seven years. This saw the band reach the 1st Section and in 2000 achieved its highest ever placing – 4th. In 2001 the band celebrated its centenary year of when they became Annan Town Band and held special events during the year to commemorate this remarkable achievement. In January 2003 the band were delighted to announce a sponsorship from APD (Amber Programmable Design Ltd) who are based in Annan and are a company specialising in electrical control systems in industry. During each year the band holds various concerts (indoor and outdoor), fund raises with coffee mornings and participates in Gala Days, with practises twice weekly. The band success continues with over 30 members, ranging from 14 years of age to 70, and a third of the band have given more than 15 years service (Principal Cornet Angela O’Hagan giving 23 years service).
David Shanks began playing in 1973 under the tuition of Frank Brennan at Marr College, Troon. Following in his mums footsteps, David found his forte playing the euphonium and competed in his first contest in 1975 with Irvine Silver (now Newmilns & Galston Band). He studied at college in Aberdeen and in 1981 began teaching brass in mainly Annan and Dumfries, where he continues to teach 25 years on. During his playing years David has performed with Newmilns & Galston and Stoneywood (now Granite City). In 1981 he began conducting Annan Academy Brass Band which changed to a wind band 1998 and continues to lead them today, and for the past five years has conducted Dumfries & Galloway Youth Band. David has been the conductor of Annan Town Band since 1990 and his enthusiasm and dedication are second to none. Successes include 2nd place at the Scottish Championships in 1992, 1993, 1997 and 1998, accompanied by four National Championships in seven years. In recent months David has returned to playing Euphonium with Dalmellington Band. Annan Town (APD) Band wishes David and Dalmellington the best of luck on Sunday.
Recent Form
Scottish Championships - 2nd (3rd section)
Land O'Burns - 11th
Lower Section National Finals - 10th
Borders Entertainment Contest - 5th
Bon Accord B Band was formed in 1980 when the main band grew too large to accommodate all the players who wanted to play. This provides a training band for players before they are promoted to the Bon Accord Silver Band. Many of the Band's most talented players have come through the ranks of the B Band. In 2005 the Bon Accord B Band recorded part of a CD, Northern Lights. This was recorded in conjunction with two local youth Bands. The Band was extremely busy over the Festive Season playing in many venues across the city. The Band have been very successful in contests in recent years winning many prizes, including the 2005 Scottish Challenge Cup where the band from Aberdeen belied their 4th section status to take a well deserved 4th place ahead of several bands from higher sections. In the 2006 Scottish Championships the Band was placed 2nd and moved up to the 3rd Section.
Bruce Wallace started playing the Euphonium at the age of ten at his local primary school in Arbroath. Within a year his lessons had been stopped and he had moved into his local Brass Band who were much more sympathetic towards his lack of talent. At the age of 16 it was decided that 4 valves were a little much for Bruce to cope with and he was given the trombone, which he took to like a duck to orange sauce. He quickly managed to bluff his way into the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland where he was Principal Trombone both in the reserve section and in the main band itself. In recent years he has been a NYBBS tutor in both the main and reserve bands. Besides having a day job as a Brass Instructor Bruce is also busy playing in and conducting many ensembles in the North East of Scotland and further afield.
Recent Form
Scottish Championships - 4th (3rd section)
FCBA Open - 13th
Brass Sounds Inverclyde was started in 2004 by a group of brass players who felt it was time that Inverclyde was again represented in the Scottish Brass Band Association.
In the past the area of Inverclyde had been represented by the Inverclyde District Band which had ceased to exist many years ago.
Now in its fourth year of competitive banding, the band have been making steady progress over those early years and won the best 4th section band trophy at the 2005 Fife Charities Open Contest.
Brass Sounds Inverclyde has a wide age group ranging from 14 to 60.
The band will be conducted in Perth by Gareth Bowman. Gareth began playing piano and trombone at Clydebank High School and went on to study music at the RSAMD, graduating in 2003 with 1st class honours. After changing from trombone to trumpet Gareth joined the Clydebank Burgh Band in 1997 and soon moved onto Soprano cornet. In 1998 he was elected President of the band. Gareth has also conducted the Clydebank Burgh Youth Band and the North Ayrshire Band. In addition to his brass band experience Gareth was MD at the Clydebank Ladies Choir for 5 years, taking the choir to both the 2002 and 2003 Glasgow Music festivals. 2004 saw the start of a new partnership with Coalburn Silver Band, with the band achieving a very credible 4th place in the 4th section at the 2004 Scottish Championships. Under Gareth the band are now the Scottish Borders Champions, the West of Scotland Champions, the Land o'Burns champions and the Scottish runners up all in the 4th Section.
Recent Form
Scottish Championships - 5th (4th section)
Fife Brass Band Festival - 1st (4th section)
Land O'Burns - 15th
FCBA Open - 12th
Borders Entertainment Contest - 10th
Dalkeith and Monktonhall Colliery Band was formed in 1989 - an amalgamation of the Dalkeith Burgh and Monktonhall Colliery bands. The band rehearses in Prestonpans, East Lothian, has a busy annual concert and contest schedule and operates two training bands, one in Prestonpans, the other in Dunbar. The training band, D&M Lothian Brass, operates it's own annual solo and ensemble contest in May every year as part of Brass Band Week, which is open to players of all abilities and ages. The band has had a good number of contest successes over the years. Starting in section 3 at amalgamation, and rising steadily through the sections, competing at the Mineworkers contests in Blackpool along the way with some successes. Their best contest achievement at the Scottish Championships to date was taking the First Section Champions title in 1996 under Alan Fernie, and going on to take 6th place in the Championship section the following year. The band is a supporter of local & national charities, and plays every year at Christmas in St Cuthbert's Church in Edinburgh on behalf of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation. In September 2006, some of the band members along with employees from British Energy's Torness Power Station climbed the 4400 feet to the summit of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest peak, with their instruments, played at the summit cairn in glorious weather and raised £2000 for St. Columba's Hospice in Edinburgh. The band is also keen to support local communities in the Lothian area, and regularly appears at concerts, gala days and festivals throughout the region.
The band is conducted by James Chamberlain who took the baton during summer of 2006. Since then, contest results have been 1st place in the section 2 contest at Fife Charities in October 2005, followed by an outright win at the Scottish Challenge Cup in November 2005 at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (conducted on that occasion by David McLeod) and a 3rd place at the same contest in 2006. Jim Chamberlain began his playing career in 1986 under the tuition of Rita James. He has played for Sharlston Colliery, Jayness (Queensbury), Wallace Arnold (Rothwell), Harlequin Brass (10-piece) and has helped out many of the UK's leading bands including the Yorkshire Building Society and the Scottish Co-op. Jim moved to Scotland in 2000 to pursue his career as a music teacher. Jim has won several prizes for his fine flugel playing, including the Best Horn/Flugel at the Scottish Solo Championships and the Best Soloist award at the 2004 Carnegie Contest. Jim also teaches and conducts the Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust (SScOT).
Recent Form
Scottish Championships - Winners (3rd section)
Fife Brass Band Festival - 4th (3rd section)
Lower Section National Finals - 7th
Dunfermline Town Band was founded in 1892, after a fund raising event was held for money to purchase instruments. A committee of Councillors, and Magistrates and members of the Orchestral Society held a bazaar in St Margaret's Hall in Dunfermline, raising £407 to buy a set of instruments and uniforms. The band has existed in various forms since that date, celebrating it's Centenary in 1992 with a special concert in Dunfermline's Carnegie Hall. In the early 1900's after a short break the band was reformed, and they purchased 18 instruments at a cost of £200 - including the Bass Drum, which is still in existence today, it bears the Burgh Coat of Arms and the date of 1906 and can still be used. The band has functioned as an independent group ever since. The Band was runner up in the Scottish Band of the year contest in 1989. In September of 1992 the band moved into their own band hall in Paton Street, Dunfermline. The Band travels to concerts throughout the year, and has competed in Contests as far afield as London, Blackpool, Harrogate and Aberdeen as well as those close to home. The band also participates in galas, parades and concerts all over Fife. They are members of the Scottish Brass Band Association and the Fife Charities Band Association. In the summer of 1999 they were awarded a Lottery Grant of £65,874 from the Scottish Arts Council to enable them to buy new instruments. Fife Council also awarded a £500 grant towards the project. In March 2004 for the first time in the Band's history, the band won the coveted Title of Scottish Champions 4 th Section 2004. This entitled the Band to perform at the National Finals in Harrogate in September 2004. In November 2004 the Band were promoted to the Third Section and received the 4th Section Band of the Year Award for 2004.
The band will be conducted in Perth by David Neil. David started his banding with Peebles Burgh Silver Band at the age of 11 years. Later on moved to Bathgate Band where he met his wife Roslyn. Moved to Yorkshire and continued playing with Harworth Colliery Band and South Yorkshire Police Band. Moved to the Ransome Band under the baton of David James and then to Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band. Started conducting at this time and took Thurcroft Welfare Band, Barrow Concert and the Horbury Victoria Bands. A short time with Chapeltown Band before moving back to Scotland in the year 2000. Conducted Tullis Russell Band and now very pleased to be associated with the Dunfermline Town Band.
Recent Form
Scottish Championships - 5th (3rd section)
Fife Brass Band Festival - 3rd (3rd section)
FCBA Open - 9th
The band was formed in 1987 with an emphasis on concerts as the name suggests. Newland was taken from the venue where the first rehearsal took place i.e. the Old Academy in Bathgate whose benefactor was John Newland. The blue uniform of Newland is well recognised in West Lothian as a result of playing at gala days, concerts, musicals, church functions and of course the Bathgate Procession and John Newland Festival. Other notable engagements include a performance on the TV programme Challenge Anneka, an appearance on the BBC Children in Need and a performance in the presence of her Majesty the Queen in Linlithgow. In June 2002, the band welcomed the Lemvig Amatororkester from Denmark and organised various trips and concerts for them. They held a joint concert in the Regal Theatre in Bathgate. Newland have contested in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th sections and have taken part in the National Championships on three occasions. They won the fourth section at the Borders Entertainment Contest with their musical director Mark Bell in 2003, and in 2004 they gained promotion to the 3rd section as well as representing Scotland at the National Finals in Harrogate. In 1988 the band made its first trip abroad; a concert tour of Hochsauerland in Germany. This visit developed links with both the area and a German band, Fanfarenkorps Neheim-Hüsten. The following year a partnership was agreed and since then both bands have taken part in exchange visits. The band visited Germany again in July 2004.
The band will be conducted in Perth by Robert Fraser.
Scottish Championships - 3rd (4th section)
Formed in 1911, Renfrew Burgh Band, is one of the few bands still playing in the Renfrewshire area although these days, a large contingent of the band is now made up of talented youngsters from “Doon the Watter” - Inverclyde way! This is thanks to the appointment of conductor, David Hutcheson, who has introduced many of his brass protégés from Greenock and Gourock schools. This year the band are hoping for something of a rebirth as a result of having these enthusiastic musicians!
David Hutcheson began playing brass at the age of 11 under the direction of Charles Keenan. He played Solo Tenor Horn with Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band for six years. At the age of sixteen he entered the RSAMD junior department on French Horn under the guidance of Maurice Temple on a full scholarship. He went on to receive a further scholarship at the RSAMD under the direction of Maurice Temple and David Flack. After completing a BA in Music Performance, David was then offered a further scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London for Post Graduate study. At the age of 21, David was appointed co-principal horn of the Orchestra of Scottish Opera. During this time, he also worked for the RSNO, BBC SSO, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Ballet, and has worked with several illustrious conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Sir Alexander Gibson and Bryden Thomson. He has also worked with the Royal Opera House, Welsh National Opera and the Northern Sinfonia and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. He has appeared as a soloist many times throughout his career and has played on over 60 recordings with such artists as Pavarotti and Placido Domingo as well as numerous TV appearances and live broadcasts. For the last three years, David has been teaching brass in Inverclyde and is musical director of Inverclyde Schools Concert Band and Training Band.
Scottish Championships - Winners (4th section)
Northern Counties Open - 6th
Land O'Burns - 12th
Lower Section National Finals - 5th
St. David's Brass is a traditional Subscription Band whose membership is comprised of brass and percussion players from Dalkeith and surrounding areas. St. David's Brass has developed from the previously successful St. David's High School Brass Band which was formed in 1981 by the new brass teacher at the school, John A Dickson. In 1986 the band entered and won the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships in its first ever contest appearance with this victory being followed by a broadcast on B.B.C Radio's Best of Youth Brass. Over the following years the band's individuals had a lot of success at various solo and quartet competitions winning many awards. Together with this, many of the band's older players expressed a wish to continue playing in the band and to pass on their valuable knowledge and experience to the band's growing number of younger players. In 1991 it was decided to let the band compete in the Fourth section of the Scottish Championships and in 1998 the band were Scottish 4th Section Champions. This success was followed by the band competing in the National Finals of Great Britain and gaining a highly creditable sixth position. Also in this year the bands various soloists excelled in competition, with the band's Principal Cornet being awarded the Best Instrumentalist prize at the Carnegie Invitation Contest and the bands school quartet being placed second in the qualifying competition and then being awarded a creditable fifth place at the Scottish Schools final at their first attempt. Also the band's Principal Cornet Player was awarded second place at the qualifying competition. Lottery funding was successfully applied for and the resulting grant enabled the now Community Band to buy a complete set of new instruments. In October 1999, the Band, with the help of Midlothian Twinning Association, made a trip to Germany, during which it played at three major concerts and also broadcast on both German and Dutch radio. In the millennium year 2000, the Band entered the annual Forth Valley Contest and was delighted to win the Third Section. Success continued this year when the Band quartet were placed Second at both the qualifying and Finals of the SBBA School Solos & Quartets Contest. This quartet success continued with the band's senior quartet then becoming East of Scotland Quartet Champions in 2001, with the band also coming fourth at the Scottish Championships. 2002 and 2003 saw the band build on their success by gaining third place at the Scottish Championships on both occasions and the award for the highest placed predominantly Youth Band at the 2003 Brass in the Park competition, before 2004 saw the band win the 3rd Section Scottish Title by three clear points. Under the guidance of Professional Conductor John A Dickson, the Band Committee runs St. David's Brass, St. David's High School Brass Band, St. David's Junior Brass and a Successful Learner's class which feeds the next generation of Players into each of the bands.
The band will be conducted in Perth by John Dickson.
Scottish Championships - 4th (3rd section)
Fife Brass Band Festival - 2nd (3rd section)
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2007 - Whitburn
2006 - Whitburn
2005 - Fishburn
2004 - Hepworth
2003 - Scottish Co-op
The adjudicators for the event:
Scottish Open - Roger Webster and Peter Meechan
Scottish Challenge Shield - Michael Fowles and John Roberts
Scottish Challenge Cup - Michael Fowles and John Roberts
Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships - Michael Fowles and Ian Smith
Because the Scottish Challenge Shield and Scottish Challenge Cup contests have early starts there will be a pre-draw for these events.
All sections of the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships will also be subject to a pre-draw.
The draw for the Scottish Open contest will take place at 1:30pm.
Saturday 24th
9:00am - Scottish Challenge Shield
12:00am - Scottish Challenge Cup
3:00pm - Scottish Open
7:30pm - Results of all sections
Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships
11:00am - Community Section
12:00pm - Development Section
2:00pm - Intermediate Section
2:30pm - Premier Section
4:45pm approx - Concert by National Youth Brass Band of Scotland
5:30pm - Awards ceremony