Under the spotlight: Kirkintilloch Kelvin

THE sound of brass can be heard ringing from Kirkintilloch most evenings - in no small part thanks to Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass, the latest band to go under the spotlight ahead of the Scottish Open on November 28.

In 1994, a decision was made to establish a second contesting outfit as the existing Kirky Band flourished. Now KKB is a winning band in its own right, regularly impressing on the contest and concert platform.

Here is what members have to say...

Soprano cornet: Jason Abbot

Principal cornet: Michael Munro

Flugelhorn: Amy Mcmillan

Solo horn: Rebecca Ritchie

Solo baritone: Laura Galbraith

Solo trombone: Raymond Galt

Solo euphonium: Philip Henderson

Solo Eb bass: Ann Black

Solo Bb bass: Ken Ramsay

Principal percussionist: Jennifer Pugh

Formed in 1994, Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass is the result of many years of brass tuition in Kirkintilloch by a number of instructors, most notably Willie Tennant. Following the successes of the senior band, The Kirkintilloch Band, and the enthusiasm of many younger players, it was felt that the formation of a second competing band would give an outlet for the other musical talents within the area.

To this end Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass was formed, taking its name from the river Kelvin which flows through part of the town, and keeping the identity with the town and the senior band with the name Kirkintilloch.

Kirkintilloch Kelvin competed in the fourth section at the Scottish Championships for the first time in 1995, conducted by Charles Keenan. Since this initial outing in the competing circuit, KKB has progressed year after year, producing several creditable performances and climbing higher in the sections and rankings.

The year 2000 saw the band take 2nd place in the third section at the Scottish Championships. This gave way to the band's greatest performance in their history. In London's Royal Albert Hall, Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass, under the baton of Raymond Tennant, became 3rd Section champions of Great Britain.

Kirkintilloch Kelvin is a championship section band, having been Scottish 1st section champions in 2009 and 2011 as well as 1st section band of the year in 2009.The band has also proudly represented Scotland at lower section finals on six occasions in Nottingham, London, Torquay, Harrogate and Cheltenham. It continues to be part of the Kirkintilloch partnership, with both bands working together to benefit teaching and performance of brass music in Kirkintilloch and beyond.

The conductor

Charles Keenan started playing cornet in the St Lawrence's Band at the age of 10, working his way on to flugelhorn and subsequently solo cornet.

In 1972 he commenced studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, receiving trumpet lessons from David James, which led to him being awarded the Subject Prize for Trumpet in 1974.

In 1975 he won the Hugh S Robertson prize for conducting, and was offered a postgraduate year to further his experience. He also freelanced as a trumpet player working with the Scottish National, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and Scottish Opera.

His conducting career began in 1974 with the St John's Band in Port Glasgow. Since then he has gone on to work with many bands including Kirkintilloch, Newtongrange and Renfrew Burgh, achieving contest successes with them all.

In 1995 he conducted Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass on its contesting debut, and in 2007 was invited to return the band.