Under the spotlight: Newtongrange Silver
FORMING part of the impressive line-up at the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge on November 28 is the Newtongrange Silver Band.
The band has appeared on national TV and radio on a number of occasions and has enjoyed no shortage of success on the contesting platform. Despite that, 'Nitten' has never forgotten its roots and still plays an important role in the life of the local community.
Time for the band to say hello...
Soprano cornet: Graham Adam
Principal cornet: Angus Edmond
Flugel: Cheryl Wardrop
Solo horn: Alison Campbell
Solo baritone: James Murray
Solo euphonium: Edward Kervin
Solo trombone: Garry Kennedy
Solo Eb bass: Martyn James
Solo Bb bass: Donnie McMillan
Principal percussion: Graham Halliday
The present band was founded in 1892, although it is understood that another band had previously existed in the district. For over 90 years the band was closely linked with the coal mining industry which was the sole reason for the existence of the village of Newtongrange.
In the early years the band was supported by the Lothian Coal Company which would make jobs and houses available for incoming players. A voluntary weekly subscription from the miners employed at the Lady Victoria Colliery was a major source of income, and the Dean Tavern (operated as a trust with profits used to support organisations and activities in the village) has always been a source of financial support.
From 1926 the administration of the band was in the hands of the local miners welfare committee. Following the closure of the Lady Victoria Colliery in Newtongrange, the miners at the nearby Bilston Glen Colliery continued the mineworkers' support for the band. This came to an end in 1985 and since then the band has sought commercial sponsorship to supplement its own fundraising activities to meet the band's running costs.
Scottish Brewers were the main sponsors until 1993 and the excellent relationship enjoyed with this major company over a number of years has allowed the band to develop expertise in meeting the requirements of a commercial backer. Support has also been forthcoming from various local businesses and, in the year 2000 Neil Williams Haulage became the band's principal sponsors for an initial period of three years. The agreement with Neil Williams Haulage was successful in winning an award under the Arts & Business Pairing Scheme. Currently the band is without a sponsor.
As with most brass bands, participation in band contests has long been a major activity. For many years the band enjoyed periodic success, but without making an impact at the top level. That however has all changed in the last 30 years as the band has firmly established itself as one of Scotland's finest bands and amongst the top bands in the UK.
Recent years have seen the band undertake a wide variety of engagements in Scotland and beyond, often displaying the considerable versatility of a top brass band. Events have ranged from the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade procession to pre-match entertainment at Premier Division football matches, from the Royal Highland Show to the annual banquet of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association. A particularly memorable occasion involved the provision of garden party entertainment at Gleneagles Hotel before a concert by Jose Carreras and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Various PR companies have used the band's services from time to time.
The band has appeared on national TV and radio on a number of occasions, including broadcasts for the popular BBC Radio 2 programme "Listen to the Band". The band has also released six recordings, the most recent of which, "Homecoming Brass" was launched in May 2009.
The band is one of the busiest in Scotland with the calendar of engagements including concerts and appearances at many local festivals and events. This results in the band being seen and heard by many thousands of people each year. The band has also toured abroad to Germany, France and Hungary, the most recent trip being to Germany in October 2000.
Notwithstanding the band's rise into the top echelons of British brass banding, it has never forgotten its roots and still plays a most important role in the life of the local community. In days past the band gave regular concerts on the bandstand in the public park, drawing large crowds. Nowadays, local performances range from the village gala day to the annual New Year's Day concert, which always draws a packed house.
The local community takes a great pride in and gives excellent supped to what is very much its own band. Midlothian Council recognise the value of the band to both Newtongrange and Midlothian as a whole, and is very supportive, as are our local MP and MSP.
The conductor
Michael Marzella's life-long love of brass bands began when, as a young boy, he joined the town band in Armadale, West Lothian, playing the tenor horn. Coming from a family passionate about music, he later signed for the internationally renowned Whitburn Band. During many happy years with them, his musicianship developed under the guidance of several famous conductors. The leadership and advice of the legendary Major Peter Parkes was particularly influential.
These experiences combined with his work in education inspired Michael to develop a conducting career of his own. He has since worked very successfully with several Scottish bands, leading, training and conducting them to contest successes at regional and national level. He also enjoys cooperating with his bands when developing innovative and entertaining concert programmes.
He is delighted to have been appointed as Newtongrange Silver Band's resident conductor earlier this year and looks forward to building on the contest and concert successes achieved so far.
