On 21st June Campbeltown Brass celebrated their 25th Anniversary weekend. Peter Fraser representing SBBA travelled to Campbeltown and presented the band with a certificate to commemorate the occasion.
The photograph shows the three people who have contributed most to the bands success in the past 25 years; Gordon Evans MBE Conductor for many years, Katrina Barr Conductor of Junior Band, and BBb bass Willie Ralston. On the Saturday evening the band presented a concert which was a showcase of talent from the Junior Band, Senior Band, Kintyre Schools Pipe Band, and Campbeltown Grammar School Senior Choir. The double Scottish Champions Campbeltown Brass conducted by Craig Anderson gave an outstanding performance featuring their soloists Stephanie Mitchell on Cornet, Hannah McSporron on Soprano Cornet, Lyn Campbell on Horn.
The band were joined on stage by Steve Stewart the talented Soprano Cornet from The Kirkintilloch Band. Currently teaching in the Campbeltown area, Steve gave an inspired solo performance of Flowerdale from Hymn of the Highlands. The Band were also joined by many players from the past, along with some guests. The evenings performance culminated in a spectacular massed band, Pipe Band and Choir performance of Highland Cathedral.
One interesting feature of the evening was the appearance of Andy's Army, the name given to Campbeltown's beginners group conducted by their teacher Andy Oliver.
Campbeltown Brass are one of the furthest travelled bands in Scotland, before they even attend a contest or an event in the central belt of Scotland, they face a 300 mile round trip and an average £800 cost for a coach. Many young players have left Campbeltown and moved on to other bands in the UK. Morven Gilchrist, assistant principal of Black Dyke is one of those, a great example of the brass training to young people which has been Campbeltown's teaching success over the past 25 years.
The SBBA would like to pass on our congratulations to Campbeltown Brass and our best wishes for continued progress.