Brass and percussion stars prepare Coalburn bands for Perth stage

Over the last few weeks, the Coalburn Brass Band Family has welcomed some of the finest brass and percussion musicians to its band hall. Coalburn’s Intermediate and Silver bands are now entering the final stretch of preparations for the Scottish Championships at Perth Concert Hall.

The month kicked off with a visit from Chris Thomas of Flowers Band to work with the trombone sections, followed by Gareth Hand, principal percussionist of Black Dyke Band, providing expert guidance to the percussionists.

Subsequent visits have included Newtongrange Silver Band musical director and renowned adjudicator Anne Crookston to share her insights into Eric Ball’s Indian Summer with the Intermediate Band; Luke Baker of Flowers Band and Siôn Rhys Jones of Tredegar Town Band to provide tuition to the cornets and euphoniums and baritones respectively; and star soloists Les Neish and Sheona White to put the bass and horn sections through their paces.

The results of the bands’ hard work will be on show at a special preview concert this weekend. All three Coalburn bands – Bronze, Intermediate and Silver – will be performing at the Bellshill Salvation Army, Gladstone Street, Bellshill ML4 1AT on Sunday from 3.30pm. Everyone is welcome and entry is by donation.