Whitburn Youth Band & new conductor first Concert
Whitburn Youth Band took to the stage for the first time this year with new Musical Director, Caroline Farren.
Caroline, who plays flugel horn with Co-operative FuneralCare Band, took over the Whitburn Youth Band in January this year and has worked hard in preparing it initially for the East of Scotland Youth Solo Contest and then for an on-stage performance at the Regal Theatre in Bathgate during the Exchange Communications Whitburn Band Valentine concert.
The Solo Contest saw five of the players compete in the compitition - four in the Junior section in which cornet player, 11 year-old Cameron McMahon, received 2nd place and a Gold Award which allowed him to qualify for the Scottish Final. Arran McMahon (aged 9 - Cameron's brother!) also recieved a Gold Award on cornet, while John Walker (cornet) and Gillian Lally (tenor horn) received a Bronze Award. Susan Caruthers, principal cornet of the Youth Band, competed in the youth solos and received a bronze award. A spokesperson for the band
commented: "This is the first time Whitburn Youth Band has entered any of its players for this competition and we are very pleased with the results."
The Youth Band played four pieces at the Regal Theatre and gave outstanding performances in them all, one of which included a cornet solo for Susan Carruthers, who played a flawless
Groovy Kind of Love.
Caroline Farren commented: "The Youth Band members have put a lot of hard work in for me over the past two months and I really appreciate their commitment to improvement. Well done to them all for being shining superstars for the future of brass playing in our area."
Whitburn Youth Band is currently preparing for future concerts with Exchange Communications Whitburn Band and will be competing in Brass in the Park and Scottish Youth Championships
later this year
