2004 News

On the 17th January we held our Band Members Solo Contest in the Argyll Arms Hotel. This contest was postponed from Nov 2003. We tried a new format for the 3 contests, with players being placed in groups according to experience rather than age groups. This made the job of adjudicator, Alan Edmond, very difficult, almost impossible he said! However, he did come to a decision and the results were:

February

Another busy month for us. On 7th the qualifiers from the West of Scotland Championships travelled to the Howden Park Centre at Livingston to take part in the Scottish Solo and Ensemble Championship Finals. This was a terrific day for us, with our under 16 quartets taking 1st and 2nd in their section. The winning quartet, and Scottish Champions were Eilidh Brian, Lynne Campbell, Mark Good and Stephanie Mitchell. Runners-up were Ewan Bannatyne, Robin Barr, Jamie Hardie and Jennifer McCormick. In the under 21 category our quartet of Hazel Barr, Julie Brown, Jennifer Martin and Karen McCormick were runners-up to the very experienced Whitburn quartet.

On Friday 13th we headed off on our annual trip to England. We stopped off overnight in Carlisle and it was great to have a visit from Gordon Evans and family. The following night we played at St. Ninian's Church in Corby, and at the morning service on Sunday. Later we had a trip to Cadbury World followed by 10-pin bowling and lazorquest. I think its safe to say the bowling was more popular than Cadbury World!! On Monday we entertained the shoppers in Corby Town Centre and at night played in a new venue for us, the Corby Masonic Club. On Tuesday we had a day's shopping in Leicester before returning to Corby and our almost traditional concert at the Corby Silver Band Club. On Wednesday it was back to Campbeltown and reality!

March

We learned at the beginning of the month that we were to lose our conductor, Rob Farmer, after only 6 months as he had been accepted for a new teaching post in Inverness. We will miss him but understand completely his reasons for moving.

We competed at the Scottish Championships in Motherwell, where we finished a very creditable 6th, although we felt, with a bit of luck, we could've finished higher. The result was good enough however, to completely wipe out the disastrous 10th of 2 years ago and raised us to 3rd place in the provisional rankings for next year. This will give us some breathing space as we prepare to lose some of our principals in the summer.

Later in the month we took part in the Mid Argyll Music Festival, winning the band contest for the 14th year in a row and returning home with several solo and ensemble trophies as well.

April

We competed at the Carnegie Invitation Contest at Dunfermline, with Katrina conducting the contest band and won the 3rd section, along with the Entertainment Prize. To come 1st in our section against some very strong bands was excellent. We actually had the same mark as one of the Championship Section bands which is quite unbelievable!

May

As usual we travelled to Tarbert to entertain the crowds at the annual yacht race. Apart from that it was rehearsals as usual as we prepared for the contests later in the summer.

June

On 2nd June the band played at the Mull of Kintyre service to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Chinook helicopter crash. This was a very moving service and the band rose to the occasion. Several VIPs were there, including the Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis, who said afterwards how impressed he had been with the band. We also played at the annual Southend Conventicle and several members competed at the Kintyre Music Festival, many of them winning prizes and impressing the adjudicator, Mr. Heald-Smith.

July

For the 2nd year in a row Tuesday and Thursday practices continued throughout the summer holidays, with tremendous turnouts on both nights. As always we had visits from some ex-members coming back for a "blow" and it is always nice to see them again. One of our younger cornet players was quite impressed with one of the "new" girls but was still quick to offer advice. Only at the end of the practice did she learn that she was speaking to Black Dyke's Morvern Gilchrist!!

We were also awarded charitable status in July which helps get the band recognised and also helps towards future grant applications.

August

As always we were represented at the annual NYBBS course at St. Andrews. Congratulations to those members who were promoted from the Reserve band to the senior NYBBS and special congratulations to Eilidh Brian who won the Reserve Solo prize.

At the end of the month we travelled to Newtongrange to compete at "Brass in the Park" and for the 1st time, were conducted by Craig Anderson. We won the Youth Band contest and also won the Dress and Deportment prize. Hazel Barr was only just pipped in the under 16 solo contest by the current Scottish Champion.  Afterwards, we went 10-pin bowling again, where some of us older ones proved we weren't quite past it - yet!!

September

We competed at the Land O' Burns Contest at Troon where we were again conducted by Craig Anderson. The band gave a tremendous performance coming 1st in the 3rd section and beating all the 2nd section bands and 2 1st section bands! This was the final contest with the band for Rhona Watson, Karen McCormick, Iain McConnachie, Stuart Gorringe and Thomas Ralston who all left to go on to further education, we wish them all well for the future. The band played for the 1st time at Tarbert Music Festival in the very inclement weather but it was a worthwhile experience.

October

The month was taken up with preparing for the forthcoming contests and also by instruction sessions with Craig Anderson. The quality of the playing from the youngest to the oldest of the members continues to improve with his expertise. We learned that a new Instrumental Instructor had been appointed at the schools and that she is due to take up her post in January.

November

This was a very busy month beginning with the Borders Invitation Contest at Jedburgh. We were delighted with our performance, coming 2nd in our section, particularly as this was our 1st time without the members who left in the summer. We also took part in the annual lantern parade in Lochgilphead. The following week was the West of Scotland Solos and Ensembles and again we had some marvellous results with several of our players qualifying for the Scottish Finals in February. Well done to Erin McSporran, Donald Brian, Mark Good, Eilidh Brian and Lynne Campbell who qualified in the solos and to the under 15 ensemble of Stephanie Mitchell, Ewan Bannatyne, Lynne Campbell, Mark Good and Eilidh Brian who also qualified.

The week after that, we travelled to Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall for the Scottish Youth Championships, where we entered the bands in the under 16 and under 18 contests. Both bands performed amazingly and both won their sections. Our trophy room is becoming very overcrowded!! Well done to everyone, and of course to Katrina for conducting.

December

The band continued being very busy in the run-up to Christmas, playing at various carol services, functions, and at the switch-on of the Christmas lights in Campbeltown. We also entertained the shoppers in the last few days before Christmas and raised some much-needed funds as a result, bringing a very successful 2004 to a close. With exception of an extra festive practice and private lessons with Craig Anderson, in-between Christmas and New Year, to start preparing the test piece for 2005 Scottish Championships!