Coalburn players celebrate 2024 at awards evening
Coalburn Brass Band Family has celebrated 2024 at its annual awards night where Renfrew Burgh and Riverside Youth bands musical director Mark Good was the special guest.
Awards were presented for all ensembles within the Coalburn Brass Band Family – Brass Beginners, Percussion Academy and the Bronze, Intermediate and Silver Bands. The tutors and conductors reflected on another great year for the organisation.
Gill Howarth, the tutor for the Brass Beginners commented: “It is an honour to work with the beginners group. They have made fantastic progress and gave an incredible performance at the Christmas concert. They bring along such excitement and enthusiasm to every session and work hard at home.”
Percussion Academy tutor Robbie Bremner reflected remarked: “The academy has been a joy to teach and we keep going from strength to strength. I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings!”
Jim Park talked about his joy of conducting the Bronze Band since he was appointed in May. He has been delighted with the members’ progress and increased stamina which led them to be crowned champions of the Novice section at the Scottish Youth Championships.
Intermediate Band musical director Gareth Bowman also said how much he had enjoyed conducting the band since he took over in March. The band’s hard work was rewarded at the Borders Entertainment Contest where it received the trophy for the best 4th Section band.
Gareth also commented on the successful year for the Silver Band as it secured its place in the Championship Section for 2025 by being placed 5th at the Scottish Championships.
Players had worked so hard to achieve this, he said, and it will require even more effort in the coming year.He also referred to the band’s performance at the West of Scotland contest where the band took home the runner-up trophy.
Mark Good commented at the end of the presentations that he had been delighted to join everyone for the evening and that the Coalburn bands should continue to work together to ensure that organisation continues to be as fantastic as it is.
Band president Alan Court concluded the evening with a vote of thanks to all who attended – and in particular to wife Debbie for the fabulous food! – and to Coalburn Miners Welfare for hosting the event.
Gratitude was also expressed to Archibald Photography for capturing the evening and to Stroba Design for designing and manufacturing the awards.
More details of the evening can be found on Coalburn Brass Band Family’s website.
Award winners are:
Brass Beginners - Amber Hamilton, Amelie Beedel, Carra Beadle, Eloise Beedel, Gabriel Hadley, Isaac Patterson, Rebecca Cosgrove and Sophie Bryson
Percussion Academy - Clare Symonds, Graham Pate, Gregor Naismith, Hollie Reid (most improved player), Lincoln Martin-Barrera, Megan Cowan and William Glassford
Bronze Band
Children’s Choice - Lincoln Martin-Barrera
Band Person of the Year - Gregor Naismith
Best Section - Back row cornets
George Blackwood Memorial Trophy - Mara Ramsay (cover photograph)
Intermediate Band
Players’ Player of the Year - Katie Abernethy
Conductor's Award - Katie Abernethy
Most Improved - Joshua Glassford
Best Section - Trombones (pictured below)
Player of the Year - Raymond McGaghey
Silver Band
Band Person(s) of the Year - Catriona Squires and Daniel Beadle
Players’ Player of the Year - Euan Roberts (pictured below)
Conductor’s Award - Ross Abernethy
Best Section - Basses
Player of the Year - Euan Roberts (pictured below)
