News

May 2004

The West of Scotland Contest, Grand Hall Kilmarnock, Saturday 29th May.

The Band took part in this years West of Scotland Contest, and came 2nd, with the Bass section winning best Bass Section.  This was a much needed boost for the band, and we are now looking top build on this result.  The band played:-

Suumon the Dragon, Marianne, I will follow him & Hunt for the rising sun from Evocations.Results

March 2004

The Scottish Championships 2004, Motherwell Civic Centre, Saturday 13th March.

The Band took part in the Scottish Championships, and came a very disappointing 12th. The Band are obviously very disappointed with this result as we all thought we hadn't done that bad, we knew it was never a winning performance on the day, but certainly didn't envisage coming last. After a short break the band are looking forward to the coming year and will be working hard to put right, this year's result. Results The Band would like to wish; Barrhead Burgh & Kilmarnock Concert Brass, all the best for the 2nd Section National Championships in Harrogate.

February 2004

Music workshop held at St.Andrews RC School, Clydebank, Sunday 22nd February.

The band held a Music workshop in preparation for the forthcoming Scottish Champs. The day was spent having sectionals, with individual specialist instrumentalists, giving guidance on the test piece, intonation & ensemble issues. Ending with a full band rehearsal, putting things in to practice on all the advice given!!! All members of the band enjoyed the day, and would like to thank all the guest tutors for giving up their Sunday, some having traveled back from Cumbria overnight, many thanks. Also thanks go to Andrew McCafferty who is the "Making Music Scotland Rep", for all the hard work to get the event up and running, and thanks to the unsung heroes who help with the refreshments ( You know who you are ).

December 2003

Music For A Christmas Evening 2003 - Clydebank Town Hall, Thurs 4th, Fri 5th and Sat 6th December.

The band took part in the Annual Christmas Festivities in town hall playing to a near full house on Thurs 4th Dec and to full houses on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th December. The audiences also enjoyed performances from Signs and Wonders, Clydebank Ladies Choir, Clydebank Male Voice Choir, Mummers Theatre Group, Stage Lights Theatre Group, Clydebank Musical Society and Dumbarton and District Pipe Band.

The band entertained the audience with Malaguena, I will follow him and Amazonia from 'Windows of the World' and then followed this by leading the finale. In addition to the Christmas Carols and Rudolf the band joined forces with the pipers to perform the much loved Highland Cathedral.

Annual Christmas Concert - Dalmuir Bowling Club, Friday 19th December.

Both the Senior and Youth bands took part in this popular event. The senior band welcomed guest conductor Alan Duguid.

The Youth Band also treated the audience to some solos and the Dave Neil Trophy was presented to Fraser Cosgrove (Principal Cornet of Youth Band and 3rd Cornet in Senior Band.) for his improvement in playing and contribution to the Youth Band.

Carol Service - Parkhead Church, Sunday 22nd December

The band traveled over to Parkhead to join Rev Jack Graham and the Congregation of Parkhead Church to take part in their annual Carol Service. A real highlight in the band's calendar.

Watchnight Service - Kilbowie St Andrew's Church, Clydebank , Wednesday 24th December

To end our year the band led the singing at the Watchnight Service.

November 2003

Borders Entertainment Contest, Saturday 15th November

The band will be competing against 14 other bands in the 3rd annual contest, being held at Innerleithen, commencing at 10:00am. Results

August 2003

Brass in the Park 2003, Saturday 30th August

The next event in the band's calendar is the popular outdoor event Brass in the Park. The Senior band will take part in the Marching Deportment Contest, the March, Hymn Tune and Soloist Contest and the Massed Band sessions at the end of the day. With the Youth Band entering the Development Section contest.

For full results see Results

Youth Band Awards For All Success

The Youth Band have been awarded a grant for £5000 for the purchase of new instruments. The band will making their next appearance in the innovative Development Section at this years Brass in the Park, but the new instruments will be purchased in September.

July 2003

Clydebank's Royal Visit, Friday 4th July

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Clydebank and Dumbarton at the start of July and during their visit formally opened the renovated Clyde Shopping Centre. After this they attended a lunch in the town hall hosted by Provost Alistair MacDonald and West Dunbartonshire Council. The band were extremely happy to provide a small brass ensemble to provide background music throughout the lunch.

June 2003

Lanimer Day, Lanark, Thurs 12th June 2003

Setting off from Clydebank at 6.30am the band traveled through to Lanark to take part in the Lanimers Day celebrations. After breakfast the band started the first march of the day at 8.15am, played all morning before earning a well earned lunch and refreshments. After lunch the band gave a short programme of music in the park and rounded of the day taking part in the tattoo, which involved joining forces with Coalburn Silver Band and Beating the retreat with Lanarkshire Pipe Band. A big thanks to all of the guest players who helped on the day from Newmilns and Galston Band, Bathgate Band, Newland Concert Brass and St David's Brass and in particular to Dougie Cameron from Newmilns who gave a fine rendition of the Bugle Call from Sunset.

A good day was had by all, except for getting soaked during the tattoo. (Photos to be posted soon).

Annual Summer Concert, Fri 6th June 2003

Clydebank Town Hall with The Clydebank Ladies Choir and Clydebank Burgh Youth Band

On Friday 6th June the band took part another successful annual summer concert with the Ladies Choir and Youth Band.

Playing to an audience of approximately 275, the band gave a rendition of the entertainment programme that we played at the Carnegie Invitational contest in Dunfermline in the first half under the musical direction of Alan Friel. The Ladies Choir then contributed under the musical direction of Gareth Bowman. The second half of the concert was opened by the Youth Band under the direction of joint conductors Lorraine Murray-Carstairs and Gareth Bowman, followed again by the choir and then the band. During the interval the Friends of Clydebank Burgh Band quarterly prize draw took place and on this occasion a happy Harry Currie collected his cheque for £50.

A Sad Loss

It is with great regret to announce the passing Harry Reffin, former Bass Trombone player with the band.

Harry was a great Bandsman, with outstanding commitment and gave great service to the band not only as a trombone player, but as a committee member. Harry played with the band for over 20 years taking part in a radio broadcast and two national finals appearances. Band president, Gareth Bowman, Former President, Willie McNish and fellow trombonist Alyson Currie had the honour of placing Harry's trombone next to his coffin at the Crematorium at the start of the service, which his family greatly appreciated.

May 2003

Carnegie Trust Contest

Under the direction of Alan Friel, the band competed against 5 other 2nd section bands and gained a 2nd place position behind 2nd Section Scottish Champions, Newmilns and Galston. The band opened their programme with a performance of the popular Malaguena. Solo Horn player Lorraine Murray Carstairs then gave a fine rendition of One Day in Your Life and this was followed by the lovely Irish Blessing. To close the programme the band played a Selection from 'West Side Story.' For full results see Results. The band will be competing at Brass in the Park 2003 at the end of August.

Solo Euph gets the bankie's marriage bug

Carolyn McNaught and Chris Randall announced their engagement. Congratulations from all at the band.

Remember, if you're looking for a wife or a husband , Clydebank's the band for you!!!

April 2003

Baby Bankie

Liz Elliott gave birth to Gareth Jon Elliott on Saturday 5 April 2003 at 10.25am.

Proud parents Liz and Jake (both cornet players with the band) can't wait to give him his first cornet lesson.

Weighing in at 8lb 6oz, who knows - tuba may be the instrument for him.

Dad (Jake), said, 'If he ever picks up a violin, I'll burn it!!!'

New Conductor

The band are pleased to announce that Alan Friel takes on the baton at Clydebank. The Glasgow based trumpet player and teacher has conducted numerous brass bands in and around Glasgow.

March 2003

Results

Scottish Championships 2003

The band were placed 5th in the 2nd Section Championships, which were held in Falkirk Town Hall on Sat 8th March. Adjudicators Frank Renton and Roger Webster were impressed with the overall standard giving marks in the nineties to the top 5 bands in the section. All the best to Newmilns and Galston and Arbroath Instrumental bands at the forthcoming National Finals in the Caird Hall, Dundee, September 2003 who took top honour's in the section. (See results) Results

February 2003

Another Bankie Wedding

Alyson Currie and Harvey Leader will make the forth band wedding in 4 years following the trend of Liz and Jake Elliott and Steve and Di Richardson. The happy couple will tie the knot on Saturday the 23rd August 2003.

Friends of Clydebank Burgh Band 1st Prize Winner!!

With the publication of the first issue of our newsletter, 'Bankie's Banter' we are pleased to announce the

first winner of our quarterly prize draw is Evelyn Walters.

Friends of Clydebank Burgh Band

In December 2002 the band announced it's new patron scheme, which aims to raise money for the band and heighten awareness of the band's activities.

For an annual £10 (£15 Family) subscription friends will receive:

Quarterly Newsletter

Laminated Membership Cards

Entry into quarterly £50 prize draw

Discounts to events promoted by the band

and MUCH MUCH MORE!!!!!

A downloadable application will be available soon.

In the meantime Friends of Clydebank Burgh Band can be contacted by e-mail (see Contact Us)

or by snail mail:

FOCBB

17 Queen Mary Gardens

Clydebank

West Dunbartonshire

G81 3BF