Band hit right note
Bathgate Band celebrate success
The talented members of Bathgate Band were named runners- up in the First Section at The Scottish Championships in March, which meant they qualified to go forward and represent Scotland in the First Section at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain last month.
The band was one of 17 bands that had all qualified from their own regional qualifying contests and were delighted to gain second place.
Secretary Sara Buchan said the band’s members are delighted with the success which is one of the best in the country.
She said: “Historically, Scottish bands do not have a good record at this contest and this is equal to the best place any Scottish band has ever achieved in the First Section.
“This adds to the band’s previous achievements at this contest as we also won the Second Section in both 1989 and 1997 - this gives the band an excellent record at the National Championships.”
Sara Buchan said the work of the band’s musical director was a major factor in the band’s run of success.
She added: “The band was led by our very talented and experienced musical director, Anne Crookston.
“Anne has been taking the band for three years now and in this time the band has achieved a top five placing at all the contests we have entered.
“The band played the set test piece Tournament for Brass at the National Championships - we then played this piece again on September 30 at the Fife Charities Brass Band Association contest, which resulted in us wining the best First Section band and fourth overall.”
Younger members of the band also proved to be successful on the same day as the senior band.
Sara said: “Our youth band were also in action on the same day at the Innerleithen Youth Contest, where they received a Bronze Award under the leadership of their newlyappointed musical director, Stewart Brynes.”
Sara continued that the band are now looking forward to continued success next month with their last competition of the year.
And she said the year will be rounded off with a special local performance.
Sara said: “The band are obviously delighted with our year so far and we look forward to playing at our final contest of the year which will be the Scottish Challenge on Saturday, November 18 in Perth Concert Hall.
“This will be our final contest appearance as a First Section band, as we will be promoted to Championship Section status from the start of next year.”
Anyone who would like to hear both the senior and youth band and help the band celebrate a fantastic year can come along to the Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 17, at 7pm in St Mary’s Church in Bathgate.
The band are obviously delighted with our year so far