2014
SBBA Solo & Ensemble Championships
Saturday 7th February 2015
It is no secret that Campbeltown has a rich musical heritage and today it is still an integral part of the community. It doesn’t come as a surprise then that after 30 odd years Campbeltown Brass, if it is not busy competing, is busy entertaining. It is amazing how many in the town have come through the band, acquiring both playing and musical skills that no doubt will stay with them for a long time. The band’s longevity is not just down to attracting new members but also the continued support of the people of Campbeltown that have made it possible to keep the band going and competing at top level.
The recent Scottish Solo & Ensemble Championships in Livingston saw the crème de la crème of young brass players under the same roof. This year’s competition was made all the more fierce by the sheer number of young players emerging onto the scene, which only proves the rising popularity of brass playing in Scotland. Campbeltown brass was represented by 5 of their band members and special congratulations to Erin McLellan gaining a Gold runner up in the junior solo section and Amy Paterson silver. The band’s quartet, in their first competition together, gained a respectable silver and Owen Pickering a bronze in a highly contested Intermediate section. Well done all!
ABSCB Residential course
13th - 18th February 2014
The Argyll and Bute Schools Concert Band was formed in 2005 to give the area’s young woodwind, brass and percussion players the opportunity to rehearse and perform high quality traditional and modern wind band repertoire of a standard intended to challenge and inspire even the most gifted of these young musicians.
This year a number of band members will be attending this course having successfully passed their auditions.
A post course concert will take place in Helensburgh on Tuesday, February 18th @7.30pm.
Training Weekend
22nd & 23rd February 2014
Special thanks to our guest instructors Neil Samuel and James Garlick for their input and guidance. Thank you to everyone who provided refreshments and volunteers. Thanks also to the Community centre staff for opening the centre for us at the weekend. Last but not least, thank you to Paul Stone and all the band members for all their hard work in preparing for the championship.
Scottish Championships
8th March 2014
Test Piece - CHAUCER'S TUNES by Michael Ball
A tough competition for the Senior band despite playing very well. Nonetheless, it was a good experience for all especially for many of the young players in the band, who no doubt will benefit from competing in top level competitions for many years to come. Thank you, everyone for all your hard work.
Mid Argyll Music Festival
22nd March 2014
Results
Erin McLellan, Winner, Primary Solo
Caius Walker & Andrew McMillan, Winners, Primary Duet
Campbeltown Brass Juniors, Second, Primary Ensemble
Campbeltown Brass Juniors,
Winners, Secondary Ensemble
Erin McLellan also gained the highest mark in Solo Brass.
Campbeltown Brass, Second, Open Bands
New Conductor
April 2014
Campbeltown Brass founder Gordon Evans returns to Campbeltown and to the Band that he started over thirty years ago. Paul Stone, who has been conducting the Senior band, has decided to step down to concentrate on other projects. We wish to thank Paul for all his hard work with the band over the last 18 months and we will continue to work closely with him in his role as Brass Instructor in the School service. We wish him all the best with his many projects.
Gordon, now retired from school teaching, brings with him a wealth of experience conducting and playing with brass and military bands all over the country, his present commitments include being the conductor of the National Children’s Brass Band of Scotland. He is relishing the opportunity to conduct the band once more. “The band, as always, is so well run and organised. Katrina Barr is an excellent Bandmaster, and the natural ability and attitude of the young band members in Campbeltown is quite amazing. We have a lot to build on.” The recently formed 12 and under band and beginners group have made a great start. He is, however, keen to build up the senior band. “There are a number of former band members in the area and if some of them would like to return to the band, we could have a super senior band, whilst developing our youth set at the same time. The band will be competing in the Third section next year and it will give us a great chance to re-build and establish ourselves in the Scottish brass band scene.”
European Festival of Brass
Campbeltown Brass in Concert, 9th May 2014
As part of the European Festival of Brass 2014, the Scottish Brass Band Trail brought together an ensemble of esteemed musicians to take the sound of brass to some of the country’s more rural areas, including the Highlands and Islands. From Stornoway to Arran, the group presented workshops in many schools and evening concerts for the local communities.
Campbeltown Brass was thrilled to be a part of this exciting initiative and on Friday 9th May, together with the Scottish Brass Band Association Ensemble, held a concert in the Community Centre.
The evening was packed with brilliant performances from the Beginners Band, the 12 and under Band to the Senior Band. The audiences were also treated to some exceptional playing from the guest musicians and delighted the crowd with a varied programme, from Scottish to film tunes, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to the ensemble group for making the evening extra special and for the people of Campbeltown, for their continued support.
We hope you all enjoyed the evening!
Open Day
Saturday 10th May
Campbeltown Brass are pleased to be able to offer free brass or drum kit tuition to any child interested from Primary 4 upwards.
We will be holding an open day at the Community Centre on Saturday 10th May 10.30 am to 12 pm for those interested in trying out all the instruments and to answer any questions you may have.
Kintyre Music Festival
9th - 14th June 2014
Summer Concert
20th June 2014
Thank you to everyone who came along, all band members, volunteers and our conductor Gordon Evans. Special thanks to our guest soloist Scott Kerr, who entertained the crowd with some exceptional and mesmerising playing. We hope you all enjoyed the evening!
Summer Course
The Band's summer course was a huge success, with 25 youngsters enjoying a week of music playing culminating in a special performance for family and friends. This 12 and under band will start their rehearsals every Tuesday and promises to be a great little wee band!
Thank you to all the helpers, tutors and especially Gordon Evans for all their hard work.
NYBBS
27th July - 2nd August 2014
The National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland (NYBBS) runs summer residential courses for young brass and percussion players from all over Scotland.
The Children’s and Reserve Band courses were held in Stirling and the Youth Brass Band was based in Perth. The week concluded with a Celebration Concert at the Perth Concert Hall. Congratulations to Amy Paterson who came first in the Children's Solo Competition with Erin McLellan coming second.
MOK Music Festival
August 2014
Thank you everyone for a great effort in making the coffee morning & pancakes down the green such a success! A total of £830 was raised for the band and we wish to thank all the players, helpers, bakers and the army of "down the greeners" for all their hard work. Thank you also to everyone who came along and for continuing to support the band with such enthusiasm.
West of Scotland Solo & Ensemble Contest
Saturday 25th October 2014
Results
Junior Solos
Erin McLellan, Gold, 1st
Amy Paterson, Gold, 2nd
Kyle Paterson, Gold
Caius Walker, Silver
Niamh McLellan, Bronze
Intermediate Solos
Owen Pickering, Silver, 3rd
Suen Yee Walker, Bronze
Junior Ensemble
Campbeltown Juniors, Gold, 1st
Intermediate Ensemble
Campbeltown A, 1st
Campbeltown B, 2nd
Scottish Youth Championships
Sunday 23rd November 2014
Campbeltown Brass returned triumphantly from the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships over the weekend, with not one but TWO winning Gold Awards! The event was held at the prestigious Perth Concert Hall where youth bands from all over Scotland competed for the coveted title of Scottish Youth Champions. This year Campbeltown Brass competed in two categories: The Preparatory Section for players 12 and under and the Novice Section for players 14 and under. Both bands consisted of pupils from the Grammar School, local and surrounding primary schools. Many of these players were competing for the first time, with the youngest of them only 7 years old; it was an amazing achievement for such a young band, both in age and playing experience. All their hard work paid off when it was announced they were Champions in both their respective Sections.
Campbeltown, family and friends should be extremely proud of what all these youngsters have achieved. They have put in a huge amount of work, many hours of practice and a lot of commitment and dedication to their craft. We also wish to praise the parents for encouraging their children and taking them to band rehearsals week-in-week-out! Finally, our sincere thanks to both Gordon Evans and Katrina Barr for developing and nurturing these youngsters to two fantastic gold-winning performances!