News from 2005  (July - December)

Training Weekend   01/07/05 - 3/07/05

The 2nd of our highly-successful training weekends took place in Dalintober School, during the 1st weekend in July. The schools were off on holiday, so we started on the Friday afternoon, with full band practice until all the tutors arrived. It was nearly the same line-up of tutors from the April course, with Paul Kiernan, Charlie Farren and Alison Bonnar (Scottish Co-op), John Boax (Dalmellington), Carrie Wilson (Irvine & Dreghorn), Alan Edmond (Broxburn & Livingston) and Mike Bennett (RSNO Quintet) attending, with Craig Anderson conducting.

Saturday was sectionals and band practices all day, finishing up at 5pm with a staff band rehearsal. 

Then it was off down the pier, where 12 of us went on a boat trip round Davaar Island, on the Campbeltown "Seatours" boat. It was pretty choppy, but it made the trip all the better! Alison enjoyed it so much, she went back for a 2nd trip!! Following on, was a meal at the Chinese, then it was into "McGochans Bar" for Karaoke taking up the rest of the night, with Carrie doing her best to let everybody in Campbeltown hear her sing!!

Sunday again was sectionals, private lessons and band practices all day. The course finished in tradition with a brilliant concert at night, featuring Campbeltown Brass, the Youth Band and the "Beginners" all showing off what they had learned from a busy weekend. There were 5 new, young recruits this time, who had just started playing a matter of weeks and they all enjoyed the experience. It was also Craig's 1st concert in the town and he certainly put on a good show, after a tremendous weekend.

Plans are already in place for the next training weekend in November, before the Scottish Open & Youth Championships.

Concert in Masonic Lodge   15/07/05

We held an enjoyable concert in the Masonic Lodge on Friday 15th July, Craig was down for a few days and he conducted the concert. Even though we were a few members down due to holidays, we still managed to play a very entertaining programme, with Mark, Jennifer and Hazel featuring in the solo spots. He also took Thursday practice and did lessons all day Friday and Saturday.

Car Boot Sale   23/07/05

The band supported the Community Centre's "Car-Boot Sale", by having a couple of stalls in the Centre car park on Saturday 23 July. The weather was nice which helped bring out all the buyers! We had 2 stalls, which were well stocked up with baking and Bric-a-brac, all sold rather well, making £134 at the end of the day, towards band funds.

August

Band members away to NYBBS course.   1/08/05 - 6/08/05

Once again, the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland and its Reserve Band had a good turnout of players from all over the country, including 16 members from Campbeltown, who travelled to St Andrews for the week's course. They all arrived on the Monday for auditions for placings in the bands, then its straight into a hectic week of practicing, playing up to 7 hours a day!

The conductor of NYBBS this year again, was Richard Evans, a well respected conductor in the world of banding, who took the band of 70 or so players for the week. Guest conductor was Andrew Duncan, MD of the Whitburn band and a well known arranger for brass band music. The band featured a few items of his work, in the concert on the Saturday night, along with the rest of the music they had been working hard preparing, with help from the various tutors over the week.

The Reserve Band is taken by John Boax and Gordon Evans, and featured the country's top younger players of banding, which held its concert on Saturday afternoon.

Willie Tours USA & Canada with YABBGB!   5/08/05 - 20/08/05

At the start of August, our BBb Bass player, Willie Ralston joined up with 27 top Brass players from all over the UK, to form a band called the Young Ambassadors Brass Band of Great Britain. Led by Frank Wolff, they left Heathrow Airport on 5th of August to commence the band's 11th tour of the USA and Canada.

The band played an amazing 14 concerts during their 2 weeks in: (America) Danbury CT, Springfield MA, Agawam MA, Buffalo NY, Lake George NY, Lake Luzerne NY, Weedsport NY, Skaneateles NY, Bemus NY, (and in Canada), Toronto ON (with Weston Silver Band), Guelph ON, Tillsonburg ON, Brantford ON, and Burlington ON.

The Young Ambassadors (affectionately known as YABB) featured a wide range of music during each programme such as Light Cavalry, Lightwalk, Get Happy, Cornet Carillon, Riverdance, The Champions and GaelForce.

The soloists who played on most nights (if not every night, for some of them!) were John Squires-Evans (Freckleton Band), Claire Taylor (Carlton Main Frickley Band), Nigel Bramley (Travelsphere), Jason Abbott (Wlliam Booth Memorial Halls SA), Helen Varley (BT Band), Tim Smith (Sellers Band), Neil Samuel (ex Leyland), Jason Nowell (Yorkshire Imps), Shawn Padgington (Travelsphere), and Chris Barnes (ex BT Band).

Along the way the band managed to take in many sights such as Niagara Falls, Toronto's CN tower, boat trips on the various lakes and some even ventured onto a motorised whirlpool boat through the river rapids on Niagara!

Car Wash day!!   13/08/05

On Saturday 13th August, members of the band held a car wash in aid of band funds. There was quite a few dirty cars that had arrived by the time the buckets were filled and sponges ready to go! Special thanks to Jennifer's dad, Jim Martin who let us use his shop's yard and power washer!

Coffee Morning and Harbour Splash Stall   20/08/05

Campbeltown Brass held its Annual coffee Morning during the weekend of the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival. There was a great turnout, with the band playing its usual 2 spots in the morning. We also held a very successful raffle, with prizes including, a rather large bottle of whiskey and a Survivors Night ticket for the Sunday concert.

In the Afternoon, the band played down the green for the Harbour Splash. The fund-raising commitee were also out in force with their stall. A new addition this year's stall, was a "beat the buzzer", a home-made contraption made by Willie, from various parts off the farm and his tractors, which went down well, if a little noisy!!

Pub Quiz   21/08/05

We held a Pub Quiz in the Feathers Bar in Campbeltown on the Sunday afternoon. It was very successful and drew an incredible 31 teams, answering the tricky questions set by our mastermind, Katrina!! The winners were "The Goodies" and best team name was "the Brothers fae different Mothers!!" Special thanks to the Feathers Bar for hosting, the question-master, Clive Good and also to Jimmy and Katrina.

Over the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival weekend, between the Coffee Morning, Harbour Splash stall, Raffle and Pub Quiz, we managed to raise nearly £2000 for band funds! A big thank you to all that contributed and helped out.

Land O' Burns Contest   27/08/05

The band travelled to Troon to compete at this popular contest and even though we put on a good performance, we were well down the list, although we did win the "Dress and Deportment" prize and had a very good day out! We played "Bramwyn, Leaning on a Lamp Post (Soloist Kenny Campbell), I Will Follow Him, Mr Jums, David of the White Rock and The Cossack Dance". 

Erin McSporran also played her 1st senior competition for us, at the grand old age of 10! Although it was also Kerrie Watson's last contest for us, as she moves up to Glasgow at the start of September, to begin university and we wish her well in her studies.

Special thanks to our guest players, Lousie McKellar (Newmilns & Galston) and Carrie Wilson (Irvine & Dreghorn). Willie also guested on EEb Bass for Craigs band, Newmilns & Galston, who were 6th.

September

6th Year Leavers concert   1/09/05

We held our annual leaving concert in the Masonic Lodge, for the members that are heading off to university in later in the month. It was a very well turned out concert, with very few seats left in the hall, resulting in a rather warm concert!! Craig was down in preperation for Brass in the Park and took the concert. Hazel Barr, Mark Good and Eilidh Brain featured in the solo spots, Craig also did one as well, dancing about the hall blasting out "Bass in the Ballroom"!!

This year we say goodbye to Hazel, Kerrie, and Lisa, although Lisa is staying signed with us for contests, but Hazel is joining Kirkintilloch Kelvin Band for the Nationals in Harrogate. We wish all the three of them well in their studies in Glasgow. Fortunately Julie Brown and Jennifer Martin have decided to take a year out and are staying in the town, so we can still keep them in the band for the next year at least!!

Brass in the Park   3/09/05

The band travelled to Newtongrange Park, near Edinburgh, to compete in this popular and well run contest. The programme consists of a march, a solo item and a hymn tune arrangement. We played Bramwyn, Leaning On a Lamp Post (Soloist Mark Good) and Ellacombe, we came 9th and also retained the Best Youth Band shield, a more happier result for us than at Troon the week previous!

For Karen Semple, it was her 1st ever senior competition but sadly it was Hazels last contest for us, before going to university. Ricky, Dorothy and Erin hadn't been to "Brass in the Park" before, so all of them made sure they had a good time!

We stayed 2 nights away this time, as its normally the last contest for the 6th years, before they go to university, so we went 10 pin bowling at night, out for tea and then it was away home on the Sunday!

Thanks to David Murray (Newmilns & Galston Band) for guesting for us. Lisa and Willie also played for Craig's youth band, CIS Youth Band.

World War 2 Remembrance Concert    17/09/05

We were invited to play in the Victoria Hall Campbeltown, as part of a concert, hosted by the Sea Cadets, marking the end of the 2nd World War. It was also marking the 50th Anniversary of the Sea Cadet movement. There was a host of local acts playing, dancing, singing and acting to keep the audience entertained. We played 4 items in our part of the concert, linked to the war era, Royal Air Force March Past, Leaning on a Lamp Post, Aces High and The Great Escape.

October

Old Folks Night Concert    3/10/05

We were invited to play at a concert in the Victoria Hall in aid of Old Folks Week. The concert featured many of Campbeltown's musical talents, with the Pipe Band, Dalintober Choir, the Accordians, Highland Dancers and a few others taking part to entertain the audience while they had their tea, sandwiches and cakes! Katrina was away on holiday so Mark stepped into the conductors role and did very well on his 1st outing!! We played Aces High, The Mission, Salamanca, Mr. Jums The Irish Blessing and Tritsh Tratch Polka.

New Band Positions    6/10/05

After the usual departure of the 6th years to university in September, it was time to re-arrange some of the positions in the band to fill the gaps. With Hazel Barr now away, we are pleased to announce that Stephanie Mitchell has moved up a few seats onto the Principal chair. Dorothy Ralston has moved from 2nd cornet onto the front row in her place and Lorna Armour now moves up onto 2nd cornet.

We will be without a soprano cornet as Lisa has now decided to join Kirkintilloch Kelvin at the last minute, as she is up in Glasgow at uni.

Jamie Hardie is now on principal euphonium and Eilidh Brian moves from baritone to euphonium, as Julie Brown moves down a few seats to give the other 2 all the glory!!

With Kerrie Watson now away to uni also, Karen Semple finally gets her place in the contest band on 2nd horn!

Robin Barr has now left the band, so Ewan Bannatyne and Willie Ralston will have to slog it out in the bass section themselves, until we get the 2 young apprentices, Scott McAllister and Donald Brian ready to join the contest band!!

No Show for Whitburn Contest!    23/10/05

We've found out that we were the only entry in the Youth Section of the Annual Whitburn Invitational Contest on the 5th of November. So according to the organisers, they have decided to cancel that section and we will sadly not be going to take part. This contest was going to be an extra competition for the eager Youth Band, alongside the Scottish Youth Championships at the end of November in Glasgow.

So instead, we're taking part in the Lantern Parade in Lochgilphead, as part of their Guy Fawkes Night celebrations!

Service for Earthquake Victims    23/10/05

We were asked to play at an all-churches and faiths service for the victims and survivors of the Pakistan Earthquake in the St Kierans Roman Catholic Church on Sunday 23rd of October.

2000 Visitors!!    26/10/05

In the 5 months that we've been online, the Campbeltown Brass website has had 2000 visitors! During this time we hope that you've found our site both interesting and informative, and that you can see how much enjoyment we get from playing in the band. Our website is in the running for October's "Website of the Month" on themouthpiece.com, and is currently ranked 79th in the Scottish Top 100 ranked websites.

A big thankyou to all that have visited and to all that keep on returning, to see what's happening with the "wee toon's" brass band!

visits in just 5 months!

Beetle Drive!    28/10/05

On Friday 28th, we held a Beetle Drive in the Masonic Lodge in aid of band funds. It was well attended by the many members, parents and friends, where we managed to raise over £200. There was plenty of screams and shouts of "BEETLE" as the dice started to roll! Top winners were Callum Housten and George Good, with Eilidh Brian's beetle drawings, winning the best looking beetle!!

November

We're voted Website of the Month!!    02/11/05

At the end of October, our website was voted "Website of the Month", on the popular Brass band discussion forum themouthpiece.com. We now share this honor with the likes of YBS Band, Fodens Band, Freckleton Band and the BT Band who have also won this prize. Thanks to all that voted, and we'd like to recommend you visit the forum and start joining in the latest discussions!!

Beginners in concert!    4/11/05

Four of our new members entertained the audience in the Stronvaar Bowling Club during its Old Folks Night concert. Cara, Greg, Rhona and Mark played the Mini March and Abide with Me, with Katrina conducting them. These keen, young players are taught by Andy Oliver and have only been playing for a few months. Already, we are seeing some young stars in the making!

Quintet in concert in Stewarton    4/11/05

The current Scottish Youth Ensemble, Campbeltown Brass Quintet played in Stewarton's village hall, as part of a concert in aid of the hall's funds. Full report, pictures and also a profile of the Quintet to follow.

Lantern Parade    5/11/05

We had a small group in Lochgilphead taking part in their Lantern Parade on Guy Fawkes Night. There were some 170 different lanterns in the parade, with the Pipe Band and a Samba band also in attendance. To finish off the night there was a great fireworks display to entertain the big crowd!

Whitburn Slow Melody Contest    6/11/05

On Sunday 6th November, 3 members of the band travelled to Whitburn to take part in the 2nd Annual Whitburn Slow Melody Contest. Erin McSporran, Eilidh Brian and Mark Good entered the Youth Section with Eilidh coming 3rd, Mark 7th and Erin 8th. Erin also won the under 12's award. Eilidh and Mark also entered the Open contest coming 6th and 9th respectively.

Beginners page added to site!    9/11/05

There is now a page added to the website about the youngest members of the band, the Campbeltown Brass Beginner group. Taught by Andy Oliver and Ricky Evans, these young members are the future of Campbeltown Brass, read more about them here.

November Training Course    12/11/05 - 13/11/05

We had another of our successful training courses, where we invited back Paul Kiernan, Charlie Farren and Alison Bonnar, from the Scottish Co-op Band, who are now no strangers to Campbeltown. Craig Anderson was also down, taking both bands and sectionals. We held the course in the Community Centre where we practice, in which the amount of rooms available made teaching more easier, but also made more room for the kids to run about, including a few of them going up & down in the lift a dozen or so times in just 5 minutes!!!

This time we concentrated on preparing for the forth-coming Scottish Open and Youth Championships, which are being held at the end of the month in Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall. Again time was packed full of practices, sectionals and lessons, which kept everyone busy, including the parents who were on lunch duty to feed everybody!

On Saturday night we had a lovely meal at the Beachcomber restaurant, where afterwards Craig won the karaoke competition!!

Remembrance Parade    13/11/05

The band turned out on a lovely Sunday morning to play at the War Memorial for the Remembrance Parade. It wasn't just as cold as past years, which was a bonus and Ricky and Stephanie played the Last Post and Reveille.

West of Scotland Solo and Ensemble Championships    19/11/05

A few members of the band travelled to Kilmarnock to compete in the West of Scotland Solo and Ensemble contest, where the top 3 in each section qualify for the Scottish Solo and Ensemble Championships in February. Erin, Mark and former band member, Hazel Barr all qualified with Lynne coming 4th, putting her in 1st reserve. The Quintet came 2nd in their class and so also qualified.

Campbeltown Christmas Lights!    24/11/05

We played at the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Campbeltown's Main Street. We had the 2 bands out on this busy, enjoyable night, there was 1 playing on the street, amongst the several thousand people out spectating, and we had the other band taking part in the parade, playing on an open-top bus, supplied by West Coast Motors! There was plenty of floats in the parade again, with all the local charities and organisations taking part, this year the lights were turned on by Batman and Robin!

Quintet page now added to website!    26/11/05

There is now a page profiling the current Scottish Youth Ensemble Champions, Campbeltown Brass Quintet. More information on the players and their achievements here.

Scottish Open Challenge Cup and Youth Championships    27/11/05

We travelled to Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall to compete in the inaugural Challenge Cup Contest and also the Scottish Youth Championships at the end of November. This was a pre-draw event, which the Contest band were lucky (or not so lucky!) to get drawn 1st in the Challenge Cup, which meant we had to leave Campbeltown at 5am to get up there in time! This new competition comprised of bands in the 2nd and 3rd sections and was an own-choice contest. We played Dimensions by Peter Graham, it went well and we came 5th. Other bands played harder pieces, which some bands pulled off, but possibly cost others. We decided to play slightly safe with our choice as weren't sure of how the band would sound with some instruments short, and also with the recent player changes, after the 6th years leaving in the summer. We were fairly happy with our result and had a few good comments in the adjudicator's remarks.

The Youth Band went on later in the afternoon, trying to retain its title of Development Champions from the previous year. They played Love Shine A Light, With One Look, The Way We Were (Euph Soloist Eilidh Brian) and Lovejoy. Unfortunately we ended up 3rd this time round, with Jedforest Juniors and Loanhead Brass Roots putting in some great playing this year and finishing ahead of us. Everybody enjoyed themselves again this year and had a great day out at the contests, with a few of the younger members making it into the big hall to watch some of the Championship Section bands playing in the Open Contest, which gave them an eye-opening experience of how the top players do it!!

Thanks to Louise McKeller (EEb Bass) and Dougie Cameron (Soprano) from Newmilns and Galston, for helping us in the Contest Band.

December

Campbeltown Carol Service    4/12/05

We attended a very busy Town Carol Service in the Lorne and Lowland Church, hosted by the Salvation Army, on Sunday 4th December. We played the accompaniment to the carols and pupils from the local schools featured with their part in the service. A combined Dalintober, Castlehill and Drumlemble Primary School Choirs sang 2 songs, pupils from St Kieran's School gave a sketch on the meaning of Christmas and the Grammar School Intermediate Choir sang afterwards.  Over £600 was raised in the collection for the Salvation Army funds.

Music Club Christmas Concert    6/12/05

The Kintyre Music Club held their annual Christmas concert and as always, Campbeltown Brass was well represented.

The concert was presented by Catherine Black and featured many local artists of all ages. There were soloists of all sorts, ensembles, choirs and even story telling but the mince pies proved to be one of the most popular features of the evening!

The Scottish Youth Ensemble Champions, Campbeltown Brass Quintet, with an extra cornet, Hannah McSporran, began the evening with a jazzed up arrangement of "Jingle Bells". They followed on by providing the accompaniment for some well-known Christmas carols. These were enough to get everyone singing and into the Christmas spirit!

Later in the concert, Eilidh Brian (euphonium) played the beautiful slow melody, "Peace". Then Fraser Cosgrove (baritone) from the Junior Brass Band, gave a very good performance of "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves". The Quintet followed on by playing an entertaining medley called "Christmas Swing-along", including a rather intoxicated trombone-playing version of "All I Want For Christmas"!

Thanks to Mark Good for the concert report.

St Kieran's Church Carol Service    11/12/05

The Junior band played at the Annual Christmas Carol Service at St Kieran's Roman Catholic Church on the December 11th.

Drumlemble Village Carol Service    18/12/05

8 members of the band played in Drumlemble's village hall for the village Carol Service.

Carol playing around Campbeltown

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, all the members of the band were out in force, getting the public into the spirit of Christmas. Playing Carols in Campbeltown's Main Street, and also at the Co-op's and Tesco's supermarkets, and with the younger members and some parents in charge of the collecting tins, it all helps towards the fund-raising of the band.

Christmas Concert    22/12/05

Campbeltown Brass held its annual Christmas Concert in Campbeltown's Community Centre. The concert started off with the Youth Band, playing some carols and concert pieces and then it was the turn of the now famous Beginners Band!! With Katrina conducting, they played the 2 pieces they had been learning recently with Andy Oliver, to a great applause! In the 2nd half, the Contest band took over accompanying the audience, with more carols and playing a couple of concert pieces in between. Mark Good then stepped in to conduct "The Irish Blessing" as Katrina wanted to play that one!

There was also plenty mince pies, cups of tea and raffle prizes on offer, and then every member joined in at the end to make up a massed band to finish things off! With some loud playing (and a few wrong notes!), we rounded off the night with "Deck the Halls" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", bringing to the end, a very productive and enjoyable year for all the members of Campbeltown Brass.