Expansion at Dalmellington
Dalmellington Band Organization
EXPANDS
Following a considerable period of planning and consultation, the Dalmellington Band Organization has created a "third" band which will be titled: DOON VALLEY BRASS!
The third band, an intermediate band, has been created to allow more players, young and old, to maintain their music making in a Dalmellington Band and to make places available for former or new players who might fancy joining or re-joining one of Scotland's top bands.
We are so proud of the players in our junior band, who created history in Perth Concert Hall last November, by winning the Premier Youth Championship Contest, conducted by Ian Taylor, and becoming the top junior band in Scotland for 2014/15. The junior band will also continue to compete in the annual youth championships in Scotland.
As a number of the older and top players in our junior band become too old to continue competing in the band, it was essential that we create a new senior band, which will allow these young players and many former and new players to be able to continue playing in a Dalmellington Band and the new band will register to play in the ‘Fourth Section' in Scotland and, if everything goes according to plans, will have their first contest later this year in preparation for the ‘4th Section - Scottish Championships' in 2016.
Dalmellington Senior Band took third place in the 2014 Scottish Championships - Premier Section and, in just a few weeks time will try for better, under the baton of their professional conductor, the charismatic - Richard Evans.
Dalmellington has been the "heart" of brass banding in Ayrshire for many successful years and our senior band are currently one of the most successful concert and contesting bands in Scotland and we are always looking to strengthen our playing teams and this new band will give great opportunities to players from all over Ayrshire.
Dalmellington Band has a number of tutors and conductors who work well with our young players, helping to guide many into musical careers or performing in top brass bands and orchestras.
Ian Taylor, who has guided our junior band to championship titles in every section in Scotland, including the Novice Section, the Development Section, the Senior Section and the Premier Section will now stand down as conductor of the junior band to return to playing in the senior band and we thank Ian for his amazing achievements over the last eight years or so.
Ian's assistant conductor, Duncan McCluskie, has now been appointed conductor of the new Doon Valley Brass Band and we are looking to appoint an assistant to Duncan to support our new efforts for the Junior Band and the new Doon Valley Brass Band ..... exciting times are ahead in the Dalmellington Band Organization as we attempt to bring more players, of all standards, into our Junior, Senior and Doon Valley Brass bands.
Over the next few years, we will attempt to create a brass banding ‘centre of excellence' in Dalmellington, hopefully working with local schools and other organizations and we continue to invite players of all ages and standards to join our three bands and to take part in a wonderful hobby within an ambitious organization.
The new Doon Valley Brass Band will rehearse on Wednesday nights and our senior band rehearses on Mondays and Fridays ( from 8 - 10pm ), with additional rehearsals on other nights as required prior to big events.
Dalmellington Band Organization is a highly active organization, both locally and nationally, with top class events, including the 21st annual ‘Land O'Burns - Brass in Concert' event in Troon, the 70th annual Cecil Oughton Slow Melody Events and our bands enter top contests every year in Perth and Blackpool etc.
Anyone interested in tutoring and joining any of our Dalmellington bands should contact Jamie Ritchie on 01292-551152 - or - John Mitchell on 01292-571258 - or - Bert Ritchie on 01292-550250 and we would welcome young ‘non-players' to work with our ‘new-start' tutor - Hugh Johnstone MBE.
For further information, please contact President - Bert Ritchie on
Home: 01292-550250 + Mobile: 0781-612-1334 + Email: bert.ritchie@yahoo.co.uk
