SBBA honorary membership award for Alex Sheridan

Congratulations to Alex Sheridan of Coalburn Silver Band on being awarded honorary membership of the Scottish Brass Band Association.

Alex began playing cornet in 1976 as a 16 year old. Inspired by his uncle he immediately fell in love with brass, playing for a short time with Larkhall Silver Band and a small group of beginners in Stonehouse.

He soon joined the back row at Coalburn and made his contest debut in 1977 playing Rocco Variations in the 3rd Section. Within a year he was on principal cornet, a position he held for many years.

Alex has served on the band’s committee for the past 40 years and has held a number of roles including treasurer, a role in which he drove through a number of fundraising ventures, most notably the 100 Club, formed nearly 20 years ago since when it has raised in excess of £40,000.

In the late 80s Alex moved to flugelhorn and was part of the band that travelled to London in 1989 for the Nationals and during the next decade he worked tirelessly for the organisation.

With the appointment of Gareth Bowman as conductor in 2004, Alex was rejuvenated and was the bedrock of the band’s success over the next 20 years. He won many soloist and best instrumentalist awards throughout this time. He was also the Silver Band Player of the Year in 2009 and Intermediate Band Player of the Year in 2015.

He is an honorary life member of the Coalburn organisation and his legacy is his desire and encouragement to develop new players. He has mentored countless young instrumenalists, sitting alongside them at rehearsals and providing one-to-one tuition. To this day he continues to be an ever-present at both the Bronze and Intermediate bands, supporting new and developing players.

Coalburn Silver MD Gareth Bowman commented: “Alex is someone who emanates what banding is all about – exceptional commitment to home practice and rehearsals, encouraging everyone around him to give their all.

“He is a constant through the good and challenging times and never wavering on his will for the band and players to develop. As a committee member providing continued encouragement to me as a conductor. Every band should have an Alex Sheridan!”

Alex’s SBBA honorary membership award was presented by Coalburn president Alan Court (pictured) at a recent concert.