NEWLAND CONTINUE TO DEVELOP INTERNATIONAL LINKS
The members of Bathgate's Newland Concert Brass were delighted to host the second International Youth Music Camp with the support of West Lothian Council and the Bathgate/Cran-Gevrier Twinning Association. The Scottish and French towns have been twinned since 2010.
The first International Youth Music Camp took place in France in July 2011 which also involved musicians from Piossasco in Italy. The Musical Director for this year's camp was Newland's Mark Good who has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
The brass and woodwind players were aged from 11 to 16 years and they rehearsed and stayed at Low Port Centre in Linlithgow. They also took part in many activities including ten pin bowling, pioneering at Beecraigs, canoeing, a burns supper and a ceilidh.
The camp finished with a joint concert with Newland Concert Brass and their conductor Andy Shaw at the Regal Community Theatre in Bathgate.
The International Youth Band started off their programme with a rousing performance of Olympic Spirit. They then continued to play a varied selection of pieces before finishing with Newland Concert Brass and Daniel Boyle on pipes playing Highland Cathedral to an appreciative audience.
Music Camp Director, Karen Heenan said "The week was a fantastic experience for all involved and the young people were a credit to Mark Good, their teachers, families and indeed Scotland, France and Italy. It was fabulous to hear and see the Youth Band at the final concert and amazing to think that Mark had only worked with them for less than a week."
It is hoped there will be a music camp in Italy sometime in the future to develop these links and the many friendships that have developed as a result.
CDs of the concert at the Regal Community Theatre can now be ordered from band members, priced £5 each
www.newlandconcertbrass.org.uk
