New conductor at Broxburn and Livingston
THE Broxburn and Livingston Band has announced the appointment of Chris Shanks as its new resident conductor. A music teacher by profession, he is also Musical Director of Langholm Town Band and takes up his new role with immediate effect.
Chris studied euphonium under Anthony Swainson and David Thornton at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and conducting under Nigel Boddice MBE. The musician grew up in the Salvation Army world and is young people's band leader and principal euphonium of the senior band at Bellshill. Chris also conducts the West Scotland Divisional Youth Band and plays piano for the Divisional Youth Chorus. He plays for the Household Troops Band of the Salvation Army.
In the contesting band world, Chris is the solo euphonium player with the Whitburn Band, having previously played for Kirkintilloch Kelvin, Barrhead, Kirkintilloch and the Co-operative Funeralcare bands.
A spokesman for Broxburn and Livingston Band placed on record the band's thanks to Paul Stone for all his hard work. Paul tendered his resignation from the role shortly before the Scottish Championships in March.
The spokesman added that the band now looks forward to working with Chris.
