Under the spotlight: Co-operative Funeralcare
THE Co-operative Funeralcare Band has ambitions of leaving Perth as the 2015 Scottish Open champion, as it prepares to go under the spotlight.
A five-time winner at the competition, the Glasgow band will be looking to impress as it performs Gallery, by Howard Snell.
Here is some more information about the band and conductor, Bryan Allen...
Soprano cornet: Gordon Kyle
Principal cornet: Alex Ramsay
Flugelhorn: Andrea Casey
Solo horn: Chris Davies
Solo baritone: Chris Flynn
Solo euphonium: Scott Kerr
Solo trombone: Paul Kiernan
Solo Eb bass: Ross Knight
Solo Bb bass: Andy Smith
The Co-operative Funeralcare Band, as it's known today, was formed in 1918 in the CWS factories of Shieldhall, Glasgow. It is the most successful band in Scottish competition history having won the Scottish Championships on 32 occasions. In 1990 the band achieved its greatest success by becoming the first and only Scottish band to win the National Championship of Great Britain, a title which it subsequently regained in 1996. In May 2010 the band won the All England Masters International Championship for a second time.
The band's success also extends to the Scottish Open Championship, which it has won five times. It has been placed third in the British Open Championship on four separate occasions, in 1993, 1997, 2004 and 2013. The band has also been runner-up in the European Championships twice, in 1992 and 1997, and has just recently returned from this year's competition in Freiburg, coming seventh out of twelve.
Long-standing and generous sponsorship from the Co-operative movement has been a vital factor in the band's success and currently, members of the band, who come from all walks of life, are registered members of the Co-operative movement. The band is grateful to its current sponsor, Co-operative Funeralcare, for its continued support. The band also enjoys the support of both Geneva Instruments, the choice of champions and WallaceBrass mutes.
Bryan Allen enjoys a distinguished and multi-faceted career with achievements at the highest level as a performer, conductor, teacher, adjudicator, examiner, consultant, and festival director.
From 1980-1997 he was a founder member and manager of the world renowned Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, touring in over 60 countries worldwide, giving over 100 TV and radio broadcasts for the BBC alone, and making countless commercial recordings for labels such as Nimbus, RCA, Decca, Collins, ASV, Saydisc and Doyen. With Fine Arts Brass Ensemble he has worked extensively for the British Council, touring on many occasions across Africa, the Far and Middle East, Asia and South America, as well as throughout Europe and North America.
During this period, Bryan also appeared with the majority of Britain's leading orchestras and ensembles and was co-principal trumpet with the English Symphony Orchestra from 1980-1995, appearing as soloist on numerous occasions. He has also worked extensively in the theatre with organisations such as the Royal Shakespeare Company. He also held teaching appointments with Birmingham Conservatoire and Warwick University.
From 1995-2011, Bryan held the position of head of brass and instrumental performance at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now known as the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland). In this role he assumed overall responsibility not only for an internationally recognised brass department but also for a widespread and varied orchestral and ensemble programme. He was Musical Director of several ensembles, including Royal Scottish Academy Brass, RSAMD Wind Orchestra, Brass Band and Big Band, and, in addition, was course leader for conducting.
Bryan is now much in demand in a variety of fields; as a performer with all Scotland's National Orchestras; as a conductor with organisations such as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Brass Ensemble, West of Scotland Independent Schools Band, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and numerous brass bands; as a jury member for numerous national and international competitions such as BBC Young Musician, Yamaha Foundation and European Solo Championships; as an examiner, clinician and masterclass giver for many leading conservatoires worldwide such as the Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Manhattan School of Music.
Bryan founded and directed 'Brass Explosion' four times in the 1990s in Symphony Hall, Birmingham, and several Brass Spectaculars in Scotland and received the British Bandsman Award for services to brass in 1993.
