Paul returns to lead Kirkton Brass

Paul McKelvie OBE has returned to the band he helped to rebuild over a five-year period, having just taken up an appointment as musical director at Kirkton Brass Bathgate.

Paul has a long association with brass bands. He started playing trombone at the age of 10 and joined the Alva Band in 1974, playing continuously until 2011, when he decided to take up conducting.

He started his conducting career with Clackmannan District Brass Band, taking them to First Section victory in the 2012 Scottish Championships, followed by 6th and 4th positions in the Scottish Championship Section in 2013 and 2014.

Paul was musical director at the then Newland Concert Brass – the forerunner to Kirkton Brass – from 2013-2018 where he helped the band rebuild and return to the contesting stage.

Paul has also enjoyed conducting spells at Lochgelly and Kinneil and is currently MD at Newmains & District who won the Second Section in this year’s Scottish Championships.

On his appointment at Kirkton, he commented: “I am delighted to be back at Kirkton. There is a fantastic team here and I hope I can help them create more great musical memories.”