New Band Born In Callander
Callander Brass are now three months into their first season of rehearsals, having formally started as a Brass Band in August this year. The Band has members both young and old, with boys, girls, men and women of all abilities enjoying working to make an ever improving sound together. Members have come from as far afield as Falkirk, Killearn, Balqhidder and Auchterarder, with a regular turnout in excess of twenty players at every one of the seven practices held so far. Progress has been remarkable, with Conductor Ian Milligan absolutely delighed to report at the second Band Committee meeting last week that he was both surprised and impressed by the sounds the band was making.
The Band has been supported by geneous donations from the Communty Development Trust, in association with Airtricity, The Callander and District Rotary Club and Callander and District Round Table, who's Chairman and President, Neil Buchanan and Danny McKirgan presented Callander Brass Chairwoman Lorna Cameron with a cheque and a new tenor horn at a recent practice. Without such outstanding support a Band such as ours would not be able to get off the ground, so we would like to say a huge thank you to each of these organisations for their encouragement.
Plans are well in hand for the Band's first public performances. Our first formal Concert will take place on Thursday 5th February, with information about venue and time to be confirmed. Prior to this, however, we have a couple of less formal opportunities to play lined up. The Community Development Trust have asked the Band to play for a short period on Saturday 29th November at the switch on of the town's Christmas Lights. This should be a good warm up exercise for a fund raising Carol and Coffee Morning the Band has arranged for Saturday 13th December in Callander Kirk Hall.
The Band is always open to new members, we will teach beginners, provide instruments to those who require them and are always happy to hear from visiting players to the area who'd like to come and join us at our practices in the Leisure Centre Dance Studio, usually held on Thursday evenings at 8pm, but between now and Tuesday 2nd December on Tuesday nights at 7.30pm. Contact Band Secretary Ken Milligan on 01877 339474 or secretary@callanderbrass.co.uk for further details.
Watch out for further information on the Callander Brass website at www.callanderbrass.co.uk
