Changes at Exchange Communications Whitburn
Exchange Communications Whitburn Band is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Musical Director.
Anne Crookston, a former baritone soloist with Whitburn, accepted the role in the summer and made her debut at the recent Land O'Burns contest, where she directed a fine performance.
Anne's conducting experience is wide and varied, having worked with choirs and orchestras as well as brass bands. As a player, she won the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in 1990 with CWS Glasgow before serving as one of Whitburn's stars for nearly 20 years. She is currently the Head of the Performance and Design Faculty at St. Margaret's Academy in Livingston.
On the appointment, she said: "I was thrilled to be asked to return to the band as Musical Director with such a busy time over the next few months. I'm looking forward to the challenge it presents. An equal thrill will be to work with musicians of the stature of Ian Porthouse, Michael Bach and Simon Dobson - it's a very exciting opportunity."
Prior to Anne's appointment, the band had been working with Charlie Farren - another rising conductor in Scottish banding. He will stay on as associate conductor to assist her.
New recruits
Meanwhile, the Scottish champion has welcomed a trio of players in recent months ahead of a busy contesting season, which will see Whitburn perform at the Wainstones Cup, the National Championships, Brass in Concert and the Scottish Open.
Kevin Smith - the former principal cornet, principal horn and flugel soloist of Newtongrange Silver - has joined on solo cornet. Kevin brings a wealth of experience to Whitburn, having played in top level banding for over 20 years.
Stephen Duncan (percussion) has also signed from Newtongrange. Steven is one of the most experienced percussionists on the brass band scene and has performed with some of the UK's top orchestras and wind ensembles, as well as brass bands.
Scott Findlater has also signed for Whitburn on second euphonium. Scott, a former soloist with Bathgate Band, is a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - formerly known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
A player shuffle at the band has also seen rising star Calum Tonner move to the soprano chair while Jim Chamberlain returns to flugel after a period on solo cornet.
