On the road to Cheltenham – Irvine & Dreghorn Brass and Newmilns & Galston

Qualifying for the Nationals by winning the Second Section off the dreaded no.1 spot at the Scottish Championships in March, Irvine & Dreghorn Brass has had a very busy two weeks as its preparations for Cheltenham reach fever pitch.

The summer saw fundraising efforts which included a 40-round challenge by four intrepid golfers as well as fulfilling marching engagements and contest rehearsals. And if that wasn't enough, the band had a significant involvement in the NYBBS summer camp with a number of adult members supporting the event and several of its youth band attending.

One such youth member, Hannah Broadfoot, will be attending her first Nationals contest with the senior band, playing 3rd cornet. At 15 years old, Hannah is the youngest member of the IDB team and is incredibly excited.

“As a last-minute addition to the contesting band, she has taken to rehearsing the test piece with a huge amount of enthusiasm and has very quickly got to grips with a demanding and technical piece of music,” says IDB’s James McGoldrick.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the oldest IDB member is Jean Taylor who sits proudly in the horn section. Her warm tones and bright personality are a vital part of band!

This week the band has rehearsals every night, working on the test piece Lakeland Variations by Philip Sparke, under the baton of Stephanie Kennedy who will be hoping for a repeat of her success of last year with Campbeltown Brass.

 The band has an 8am bus departure for Cheltenham on Saturday morning to provide plenty of time for an evening rehearsal, followed by some well-earned down time. Sunday morning will bring one final rehearsal before heading for The Centaur.

“Needless to say, it will be a late night drive home. Hopefully - in high spirits!” added James.

Newmilns & Galston has held extended Sunday night rehearsals with musical director Alan Friel – and tea and home-baked cake! – in preparation for its Nationals appearance. The band raised just over £500 with a bottle stall at Darvel market where it played recently and a Just Giving page is sitting at just over £750 with more money anticipated as it also incorporates a Healthy Challenge fundraiser in which six players are participating.

Players will be sporting new band polo shirts and hoodies specially for the trip to Cheltenham which have been funded by sponsorship from local businesses.

The band will be leaving at 10am on Saturday with a rehearsal stop en route, a curry on Manchester's Curry Mile and then a hotel stay in Cheltenham for two nights.

“We’re delighted to have some supporters coming along with us,” commented the band’s Allison Neil.

The youngest playing member is Rory Julyan (15) on 3rd cornet who has been playing for five years and has just been promoted from the brass academy to the senior band.

At the other end of the age range is Matt Paton who is 84 and plays 2nd cornet. An experienced musician, he has been playing for 75 years.