News
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Donate to the Co-op Local Community Fund and they will match your donation, so causes like us will benefit! Find out more at coop.co.uk/givethegift
Donate to the Co-op Local Community Fund and they will match your donation, so causes like us will benefit! Find out more at coop.co.uk/givethegift
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Brass Central Strathearn
Are you a Co-op shopper? Do you go for just a Pint of Milk? Loaf of Bread? Full weekly shop? Either way, we REALLY need your help please. We're so pleased to announce that we have been selected to be part of the Coop Local Community Fund for the next year. So, how can you help? All you need to do is: Become a CO-OP member via this link (if you're not already), you can also find out more about our cause too… https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/79344 Chose Brass Central Strathearn as your chosen cause, existing members can also do this. Scan your card each time you shop, and we will receive a donation at no cost to you. The benefits are HUGE! Alongside the band raising much needed funds, you as members will also gain points to spend as money in store, and there's some amazing offers on the App each week to take advantage of too. What's not to love?! If all you have is your co-op membership card, you can phone the COOP Membership Support Centre on 0800 0686 727, press option number 3 and they'll add us as your chosen cause. You don’t have to shop in our local Crieff store it can be any COOP, anywhere. Please consider supporting us.
Brass Central Strathearn
Are you a Co-op shopper? Do you go for just a Pint of Milk? Loaf of Bread? Full weekly shop? Either way, we REALLY need your help please. We're so pleased to announce that we have been selected to be part of the Coop Local Community Fund for the next year. So, how can you help? All you need to do is: Become a CO-OP member via this link (if you're not already), you can also find out more about our cause too… https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/79344 Chose Brass Central Strathearn as your chosen cause, existing members can also do this. Scan your card each time you shop, and we will receive a donation at no cost to you. The benefits are HUGE! Alongside the band raising much needed funds, you as members will also gain points to spend as money in store, and there's some amazing offers on the App each week to take advantage of too. What's not to love?! If all you have is your co-op membership card, you can phone the COOP Membership Support Centre on 0800 0686 727, press option number 3 and they'll add us as your chosen cause. You don’t have to shop in our local Crieff store it can be any COOP, anywhere. Please consider supporting us.
As we approach Christmas and New Year the Senior and Development Bands wish you a Merry Christmas and A Happy Year and look forward to performing for you in 2024.
December 2023
Well November has been a busy month with rehearsing for the playing of Christmas Music around the area.
On Saturday 25th November we played in James Square Crieff for the Crieff@Christmas Market. We then went on to play at Comrie for the Shopkeepers Festive Afternoon on Saturday 9th December. 16th December seen us at The Coop in Auchterarder then onto Crieff Coop. So, December has seen us play in the local area and we have enjoyed it immensely. We also made some needed funds. On the funding note at the end of November we were informed that we had been successful in a funding application to The Pear Tree Fund for Music, and we have received a substantial amount of money with wish we will be buying some new instruments.
As ever our recruiting is ongoing, we continue to recruit, adults are welcome. Ex players are most welcome. We are also looking for a percussion (drum kit) player who wishes to gain more experience. Please contact us at brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com
Well November has been a busy month with rehearsing for the playing of Christmas Music around the area.
On Saturday 25th November we played in James Square Crieff for the Crieff@Christmas Market. We then went on to play at Comrie for the Shopkeepers Festive Afternoon on Saturday 9th December. 16th December seen us at The Coop in Auchterarder then onto Crieff Coop. So, December has seen us play in the local area and we have enjoyed it immensely. We also made some needed funds. On the funding note at the end of November we were informed that we had been successful in a funding application to The Pear Tree Fund for Music, and we have received a substantial amount of money with wish we will be buying some new instruments.
As ever our recruiting is ongoing, we continue to recruit, adults are welcome. Ex players are most welcome. We are also looking for a percussion (drum kit) player who wishes to gain more experience. Please contact us at brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com
November 2023
Our recruiting is ongoing, since our last report on 10 youngsters we have lost 3. It is always a shame to lose people after a good start, but we continue to recruit, adults are welcome. Ex players are most welcome, I know of a few in Aberfeldy, Auchterarder, Crieff and surrounding areas, I wish they would come back to playing.
On a brighter note, we have been nominated to the Coop Community Fund (Coop ID 79344) this means we will receive funds from Coop shoppers if they nominate us using the above ID. This runs until October 2024.
At the end of the month Saturday 25th November, we will be playing Christmas Carols in James Square Crieff from 2pm. This is part of Crieff@Christmas market and fair. Then during December 16th, we will be at Coop, Auchterarder 12noon till 1pm then Coop, Crieff from 2pm till 3pm.
Our recruiting is ongoing, since our last report on 10 youngsters we have lost 3. It is always a shame to lose people after a good start, but we continue to recruit, adults are welcome. Ex players are most welcome, I know of a few in Aberfeldy, Auchterarder, Crieff and surrounding areas, I wish they would come back to playing.
On a brighter note, we have been nominated to the Coop Community Fund (Coop ID 79344) this means we will receive funds from Coop shoppers if they nominate us using the above ID. This runs until October 2024.
At the end of the month Saturday 25th November, we will be playing Christmas Carols in James Square Crieff from 2pm. This is part of Crieff@Christmas market and fair. Then during December 16th, we will be at Coop, Auchterarder 12noon till 1pm then Coop, Crieff from 2pm till 3pm.
We have been selected for the Coop Community Fund as of 22nd October 2023 till 19th October 2024. Please support us by becoming a COOP member and selecting us as your chose charity. Cause ID. 79334
October 2023
We have had a busy time since you last read about us. During September we bought a lot of new music, and the band has been working on that. We also planned and held a “Come and Try” evening on 28th September when we had 10 young people along to see what we were about, they all went home with instruments, and we hope we will see them along at our classes. We will be taking a break during October due to school holidays and when we return, we have to start, you guessed it, Christmas Music. We will be taking part at the Crieff at Christmas Fair and Market on Saturday 25th November in James Square Crieff from 2pm. During December we will be at Crieff and Auchterarder Coop as well. Although we have these 10 young people, recruiting goes on all year and anyone of any age can come and join us. Please contact us first by emailing: - brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com
We have had a busy time since you last read about us. During September we bought a lot of new music, and the band has been working on that. We also planned and held a “Come and Try” evening on 28th September when we had 10 young people along to see what we were about, they all went home with instruments, and we hope we will see them along at our classes. We will be taking a break during October due to school holidays and when we return, we have to start, you guessed it, Christmas Music. We will be taking part at the Crieff at Christmas Fair and Market on Saturday 25th November in James Square Crieff from 2pm. During December we will be at Crieff and Auchterarder Coop as well. Although we have these 10 young people, recruiting goes on all year and anyone of any age can come and join us. Please contact us first by emailing: - brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com
August 2023
The band has been rehearsing for our Annual Visit to Drummond Castle Gardens on Sunday 6th August. We had a great day as always and a good crowd to listen to us. We now look forward to getting all our members back after the summer holidays and get working on some new music.
We plan to have an “Open Night” on Thursday 28th September in Ferntower Hall, Morrisons Academy Crieff, and we will be contacting all schools in the area, including Auchterarder and Aberfeldy. We require to get ex-players of brass instruments to come along and get involved, we know of a few in the Aberfeldy and Crieff Area and we will try and persuade them to join us. We only ask for one night per week for rehearsals and around 6 times a year for engagements. Our MD and Manager have been busy trying to get more funding so we can replace some of our older instruments which we hope will encourage more players to join us.
The band has been rehearsing for our Annual Visit to Drummond Castle Gardens on Sunday 6th August. We had a great day as always and a good crowd to listen to us. We now look forward to getting all our members back after the summer holidays and get working on some new music.
We plan to have an “Open Night” on Thursday 28th September in Ferntower Hall, Morrisons Academy Crieff, and we will be contacting all schools in the area, including Auchterarder and Aberfeldy. We require to get ex-players of brass instruments to come along and get involved, we know of a few in the Aberfeldy and Crieff Area and we will try and persuade them to join us. We only ask for one night per week for rehearsals and around 6 times a year for engagements. Our MD and Manager have been busy trying to get more funding so we can replace some of our older instruments which we hope will encourage more players to join us.
June 2023
What a great day both Bands had on Saturday 3rd June. We started with our “Coffee Morning with Music” in the morning. Then the Senior Band went on to play at “Dunning Fete”.
The Coffee Morning was a great success, and we collected the sum of £605.50. A big thank you goes to Jayne Martin and her team of helpers. The team was taken from band members and friends.
During the Coffee Morning the Senior Band played a few pieces starting with The Florentiner Marsch, then continued with a selection from the film “Grease!” and played a few more before the Development Band took over and there first piece was aptly called “A Debut Suite” as it was their first appearance in public. The Senior Band then played a few more pieces ending their set with a piece called “Disney Matter” before the Development Band joined them to play “The Final Countdown”. It was a first since 2019 that the Trophies for both bands were awarded because of Covid and trying to get the bands working again that we have managed to put on such a show and the Denholm Partnership Trophy for the Players, Player went to Jayne Martin one of our cornet players. The Development Band trophy went to Brodie Caudrey our baritone player.
The afternoon seen the Senior Band play in the sunshine at Dunning Fete and we had a great time there. The audience was a lot bigger than in 2022 and the organisation was fantastic. We thank them for their support.
What a great day both Bands had on Saturday 3rd June. We started with our “Coffee Morning with Music” in the morning. Then the Senior Band went on to play at “Dunning Fete”.
The Coffee Morning was a great success, and we collected the sum of £605.50. A big thank you goes to Jayne Martin and her team of helpers. The team was taken from band members and friends.
During the Coffee Morning the Senior Band played a few pieces starting with The Florentiner Marsch, then continued with a selection from the film “Grease!” and played a few more before the Development Band took over and there first piece was aptly called “A Debut Suite” as it was their first appearance in public. The Senior Band then played a few more pieces ending their set with a piece called “Disney Matter” before the Development Band joined them to play “The Final Countdown”. It was a first since 2019 that the Trophies for both bands were awarded because of Covid and trying to get the bands working again that we have managed to put on such a show and the Denholm Partnership Trophy for the Players, Player went to Jayne Martin one of our cornet players. The Development Band trophy went to Brodie Caudrey our baritone player.
The afternoon seen the Senior Band play in the sunshine at Dunning Fete and we had a great time there. The audience was a lot bigger than in 2022 and the organisation was fantastic. We thank them for their support.
March 2023
The band took part in the 127th Scottish Championships in Perth Concert Hall on Sunday 12th March. The section that the band played in had only 3 entrants and we came away with very good remarks from the adjudicator David Hamilton.
We now get back to working on a new music programme for the coming summer season. The first one being in The Bandstand at MacRosty Park Crieff where we will open a music and food day organised by The Friends of MacRosty Park to celebrate the crowning of King Charles the 3rd.
The band took part in the 127th Scottish Championships in Perth Concert Hall on Sunday 12th March. The section that the band played in had only 3 entrants and we came away with very good remarks from the adjudicator David Hamilton.
We now get back to working on a new music programme for the coming summer season. The first one being in The Bandstand at MacRosty Park Crieff where we will open a music and food day organised by The Friends of MacRosty Park to celebrate the crowning of King Charles the 3rd.
February 2023
At the end of January, the band was informed it is now a “Charity” The committee and especially Jim Wishart (Band Manager) have put a lot of work into this, and we look forward to working with some other charities to gain funding for new instruments and music. This also means if you wish to donate “Gift Aid” to the band fund we can claim the tax on it.
We are working on our 15minute entertainment programme for the 4b Section of the Scottish Brass Band Association Contest in the Perth Concert Hall over the weekend 11th and 12th March. We are also in the planning stages of a “Coffee Morning with Music” which will be held in St. Andrews Hall Crieff on Saturday 3rd June. More details to follow.
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 23rd March in Ferntower Hall, Morrisons Academy at 7pm. All interested in the work of the band are invited to attend.
At the end of January, the band was informed it is now a “Charity” The committee and especially Jim Wishart (Band Manager) have put a lot of work into this, and we look forward to working with some other charities to gain funding for new instruments and music. This also means if you wish to donate “Gift Aid” to the band fund we can claim the tax on it.
We are working on our 15minute entertainment programme for the 4b Section of the Scottish Brass Band Association Contest in the Perth Concert Hall over the weekend 11th and 12th March. We are also in the planning stages of a “Coffee Morning with Music” which will be held in St. Andrews Hall Crieff on Saturday 3rd June. More details to follow.
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 23rd March in Ferntower Hall, Morrisons Academy at 7pm. All interested in the work of the band are invited to attend.
December 2022
Brass Central Strathearn wishes all it's friends and supporters a Very Merry Christmas and A Good New Year.
We hope you will continue to support us during 2023 and we hope to see you at our engagements throughout 2023. Details are always on our About Us page.
Brass Central Strathearn wishes all it's friends and supporters a Very Merry Christmas and A Good New Year.
We hope you will continue to support us during 2023 and we hope to see you at our engagements throughout 2023. Details are always on our About Us page.
October 2022
The Development Band is continuing to rehearse under our MD. They all seem to be enjoying learning a brass instrument and learning to read music, long may it continue.
The Senior Band are still trying out new music and it is starting to sound good. We are having a break during the school holidays and when we get back, we will start looking at some Christmas Music. At the present time we have a couple of carolling engagements in the calendar.
We must also thank our Bb Bass player, Sebastiaan van Wordragen who has updated and revamped our web site. www.brasscentralstrathearn.co.uk
The Development Band is continuing to rehearse under our MD. They all seem to be enjoying learning a brass instrument and learning to read music, long may it continue.
The Senior Band are still trying out new music and it is starting to sound good. We are having a break during the school holidays and when we get back, we will start looking at some Christmas Music. At the present time we have a couple of carolling engagements in the calendar.
We must also thank our Bb Bass player, Sebastiaan van Wordragen who has updated and revamped our web site. www.brasscentralstrathearn.co.uk
September 2022
Thursday 1st September saw us hold our “Come and Try” evening in Ferntower Hall Morrisons Academy Crieff.
We had around 8 young people along with parents who were all interested in trying a brass instrument. Tom Smith our Musical Director was assisted by Philip Kennedy, Director of Music at Morrisons Academy who also plays brass.
Many of the young people took away an instrument to try at home. We now look forward to encouraging them to stick with it and become good brass players.
Rehearsals for the Senior Band continue, and we are trying some new music to put into our programme folders as well as working towards Christmas Caroling etc.
On a sadder note, for us but not for them we are saying goodbye to two of our players Lucy Houston and Lucy Douglas who are both going to Hull University to study for a BA in Musical Performance. We wish them both good luck and our best wishes for their futures.
Thursday 1st September saw us hold our “Come and Try” evening in Ferntower Hall Morrisons Academy Crieff.
We had around 8 young people along with parents who were all interested in trying a brass instrument. Tom Smith our Musical Director was assisted by Philip Kennedy, Director of Music at Morrisons Academy who also plays brass.
Many of the young people took away an instrument to try at home. We now look forward to encouraging them to stick with it and become good brass players.
Rehearsals for the Senior Band continue, and we are trying some new music to put into our programme folders as well as working towards Christmas Caroling etc.
On a sadder note, for us but not for them we are saying goodbye to two of our players Lucy Houston and Lucy Douglas who are both going to Hull University to study for a BA in Musical Performance. We wish them both good luck and our best wishes for their futures.
August 2022
Jim Wishart (Band Manager) is also Music Librarian for the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) and spent the first week of August at Strathallan School Forgandenny with 150 young people and Brass Tutors from all over Scotland playing great music. It accumulated in 3 Concerts in the Albert Halls Stirling on Saturday 6th August.
We had a great day at Drummond Castle Open Day on Sunday 7th August where the weather was good, and they had a good crowd. We always look forward to this engagement with its lovely environment.
Rehearsals start back in earnest on Thursday 18th August in Ferntower Hall of Morrisons Academy.
Development Band at 6.15pm and Senior Band at 7pm.
1st September is a date for the diaries we will be holding a “Come and Try” evening in conjunction with Morrisons Academy School and all schools in the area. This will be held in Ferntower Block, Morrisons Academy, Ferntower Rd Crieff starting at 6.15pm when all young folk and older folks will be warmly welcomed.
This a night to come along and see and hear what we as a Brass Band can offer to the people of Crieff and Strathearn and the surrounding area’s.
Please contact brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com for more information and to book a space for the Come and Try.
July 2022
We have had a break during July to re charge the batteries etc.
We start rehearsing again on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th August ready for our annual engagement at Drummond Castle Open Day on Sunday 7th August. We always look forward to this engagement with its lovely environment.
Rehearsals start back in earnest on Thursday 18th August.
1st September is a date for the diaries we will be holding a “Come and Try” evening in conjunction with Morrisons Academy School and all schools in the area. This will be held in Ferntower Block, Morrisons Academy, Ferntower Rd Crieff starting at 6.30pm when all young folk and older folks will be warmly welcomed.
This a night to come along and see and hear what we as a Brass Band can offer to the people of Crieff and Strathearn and the surrounding area’s.
Please contact brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com for more information.
June 2022
We enjoyed playing on Saturday 4th June for “Little Dunning” Fete the weather held out and the audience had a great day.
On Sunday 5th we played in the Bandstand at MacRosty Park or the “Platinum Jubilee” picnic in the park. Again, the weather was great, and the audience was of great size.
We now go into the next period with a break of a few weeks because of holidays, but we will be back again in time for “Drummond Castle” Gardens Open Day on Sunday 7th August.
We hope to start classes again for young and old starting as the schools go back in August. We will provide more details nearer the time. As always anyone is free to join us at any of our rehearsals on a Thursday at 7pm.
Please contact brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com for more information.
March 2022
In March we held our AGM, the first in 2 years due to Covid 19 with a good attendance of members. There were a few changes to our committee. The new Chairperson is Graham Martin, and his wife Jayne has joined the committee also. We also appointed a new Child Protection Officer, Helen Barr. The committee is as follows:- Chair, Graham Martin, Band Manager, Jim Wishart, Treasurer, Carol Lang. Members, Helen Barr, Shona Douglas, Hugh Grierson, Gemma Lang, Jayne Martin, Lorna Stewart, Elizabeth Philip and representing the junior members, Jacob Lang. The Musical Director is Tom Smith MMusRCS.
We have a few engagements in our calendar for the next few months. June, Dunning Fete, and Bandstand MacRosty Park and in August it will be great to be back at Drummond Castle Gardens for there Open Day. If you require the services of the band, please make contact.
During the Covid period the band lost some young players to other commitments and to this end we wish to start recruiting again. We are holding a “Come and Try” night on Thursday 28th April from 6.30-7.30pm. This is open to youngster aged 9 years and upwards. On the night we will have members and our MD Tom Smith on hand to talk to you and let you try an instrument. We ask that you contact us on brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com so we can have instruments available for you to try. This evening is completely free, and no prior experience is required.
As I write this, we have just finished playing at the Scottish Brass Band Championships held in Perth Concert Hall. The comments from the adjudicator were positive and we now look forward to a visit from him to one of our rehearsals.
We now go into our AGM which I will report on in the next issue. The next big date in our calendar is a “Come and Try” evening to be held in St Andrews Hall Strathearn Terrace Crieff on Thursday 28th April at 6.30pm We ask anybody young or old who would like to try a brass instrument or anyone who has played in the past to come and give it a try. Especially anyone who would like to play a Trombone. All the sections in the band need a few new players. We do ask that you contact us at brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com so we can have instruments available for you to try. We would also invite any percussion players to join us as well. We only rehearse once a week on a Thursday and have a limited concert diary throughout the year.
September 2021
We are very grateful to Ardvreck School for the use of there outdoor facilities over the last few weeks, it has given us the opportunity to get back to playing and rehearsing. On the 29th August we managed to give our first performance since March 2020 when we played at “Bark in the Park” in the bandstand at MacRosty Park Crieff.
As the nights are drawing in and the pupils are back at Ardvreck School along with regulations surrounding schools with Covid still in mind we are temporarily moving our rehearsals to St Andrews Church Hall, Strathearn Terr., Crieff PH7 3AQ. Anyone who can already play or wanting to learn can come and join us on a Thursday evening from 6.30-8.30pm. We have instruments to lend if required.
August 2021
We are getting organized to return to banding. The band is very grateful to Ardvreck School for allowing us the use of a stretch tent so that rehearsals can go ahead as from Thursday 12th August. We will of course have all precautions we can in place for everyone’s safety. We are looking forward to getting back together and also playing at “Bark In The Park” on Sunday 29th August in the Bandstand, MacRosty Park, Crieff. If you would like to join us we do have vacancies for those who can play and we will be starting our group for those who wish to take up an instrument in the next couple of weeks.
May 2021
The band would like to thank the people and friends of the Strathearn area and beyond who sent us great comments on our video “Local Heroes” which was and still is on our Facebook page and on YouTube. We are hoping that we can get back together as a band soon and be able to get out and about in the Strathearn area to thank you all personally.
If you would like to join us we have instruments available and you can contact us at brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com
February 2021
We are still in the position of lockdown and no playing inside or out is allowed at present, but we have been busy on our own practice and the senior band have been working on a piece of music commissioned by us as our “thank you” and has been written by our own MD Tom Smith M MusRCS titled “Local Heroes”. We hope to have this out on our Facebook page and YouTube in time for the anniversary of clapping for carers on 26th March. We are also looking for photos with messages for friends or relatives etc who have been working on the frontline over the past year, short videos (without sound are welcome also). We require these by 1st March if possible and they should be sent to tystrathearn@gmail.com. Please look out for it and tell us what you think when you have seen and heard it.
January 2021
We finished of 2020 by putting out 4 Christmas Videos, on our Facebook and YouTube page, this was our first attempt at remote recording. A big thanks to our MD, Tom Smith for the work he put into this venture and to all the people who viewed them and commented.
As we start 2021 under another lockdown, we are having to think again on what we can do to keep the interest in banding going. Please bear with us as we try to think of new ways of holding rehearsals whether it be virtual and in small numbers or some other way.
Thank you for your support for the band and we are really looking forward to getting back out playing in the area.
December 2020
We would like to wish all our supporters a Very Good New Year and we hope 2021 will let all bands back to playing.
November 2020
We would like to thank the local people who shop at the Coop, we were part of the Coop Community Fund programme in our area from October 2019 till October 2020 and over this period we have received the sum of £5222.76 which has helped us keep our Musical Director and will go a long way to helping us when we can get back together.
We are still in the situation where we cannot rehearse as a group because of COVID-19 restrictions. There is an ongoing study into the “aerosol” effect from brass instruments and we await the outcome from this study.
2020 has been a turbulent year for the band, it has had highs and lows and I will try and cover them here. January 2020 saw us hold a “Come & Try” day which was successful, and we gained some new learners including adults. March saw us take part in the Scottish Brass Band Association Regional Championships for the first time in our history and received excellent comments from the adjudicator. Mid-March saw us having to suspend rehearsals for both the Development Band and Senior Band and at present this is still the case. Work on projects with the help of Lottery Funding was received and individual rehearsing is still ongoing and we hope to be able in 2021 to get out and about within the community and brighten up your days with music.
We hope you can all have a successful Christmas with family if possible and let’s hope 2021 will be a Happier Year.
All the best from all at Brass Central Strathearn.
May 2020
Brass Central Strathearn like all other organisations have had to suspend their activities at the present time. All members from both bands are practising at home with the help of worksheets and videos that our MD Tom Smith has been producing. We hope this is keeping the interest and momentum going.
We are going to try and have a Zoom meeting to have a chat with each other and pass on tips or advise to each other on how to keep our practicing at home going during this time.
We should have had our AGM in April, but this has also been put on hold until restrictions are lifted.
We wish everybody a safe time at home and look forward to the day we can all get back together.
March 2020
After our hard work throughout January and February the band eventually took part in the Scottish Championship 2020 organised and run by the Scottish Brass Band Association in Perth Concert Hall over the weekend 7th and 8th March. This is the 125th Anniversary of SBBA. This was the first time since the band was formed in 2012 that they performed at the event and they all enjoyed there day on stage and were very happy with the comments received from the Adjudicator, Gareth Bowman who will also visit the band at one of their rehearsals over the next year. Gareth’s first comment were well done Euphonium (Shona Douglas) then he says nice sound from Solo Cornet (Lucy Douglas) and Solo Trombone (Myles Lindgren) he also makes comments on most of the other sections of the band. Gareth is a music teacher as well as being a regular tutor with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland who during the Easter and Summer hold courses for NYBBS at Strathallan School, more information for this can be found on the SBBA web site- sbba.org.uk
Our rehearsals carry on at the Music Dept at Ardvreck School on a Thursday evening 6pm for the Development Band which has grown since our open day at the end of January. Senior Band is at 7pm and anyone who can play or wishes to learn please come along and give it a try we want to keep the band going for 125 years if we can.
January 2020
Well January is now with us and we look back at December where we were very busy with Christmas. 7th December seen us play at Crieff Christmas Fun Day, Crieff Coop on Thursday 19th, Tesco, Crieff Rd Perth and Aldi, Broich Rd Crieff on the 21st. We also received a welcome boost to our funding when Crieff Drama Group donated £240 to us which they collected at their mini pantomimes.
We are now starting rehearsals again on 9th January working towards our Summer programmes and our “Come and Try” Day on 25th January.
The “Come and Try” Day is to help recruit new players or ones who haven’t played in a while. It is open to anyone aged 9+ and will be held in Ferntower Hall, Morrison’s Academy, Crieff from 10am till 12 noon. We will have our MD Tom Smith on hand and John Boax (SBBA Education Officer) will also be present to help you try a brass instrument and members of Brass Central Strathearn will be on hand to answer your questions.
The band is always open to being asked to play at any type of function and you can get in touch about anything band orientated by contacting: brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com
December 2019
When I done the notes for November I forgot to tell you we had the privilege of playing at the opening of the new Aldi Store in Crieff in October, this was officially opened by the Olympian Sally Walton. It was an early start for some of the Band 0745 hrs, but we made it and had a good audience while waiting for the store opening. A big thanks to Aldi for inviting us.
Well our concert is over and what a night, a good audience and a great hall to play in, thank you Morrison’s Academy School. We started the night with The March “Star Lake” then “Free World Fantasy” the Irish folk song “Down By The Salley Gardens” and music from “The Greatest Showman” then the Development Band took over and played there pieces which they were going to be playing at The Festival of Brass. There was a quick interval when the raffle was drawn, I must thank Morag, Shona and Carol parent members of the committee for their help in running the raffle and at the door. At this time also The Development Trophy for the player who has shown the greatest progress was presented to Kyra Maitland (Cornet) by our MD Tom Smith and Jim Wishart (Band Manager) presented Helen Barr (Cornet) from the Senior Band with The Players Trophy. On to the second half which started with “The Skywriter” which is a great march, “For A Friend” “Tartanheart” both written by Alan Fernie. A Maori Farewell Song “Now Is The Hour” written by Paul Lovatt-Cooper and we finished with “Bohemian Rhapsody”
On Sunday 24th November the Development Band had entered The Festival of Brass run by the Scottish Brass Band Association and they all duly turned up at 10am on a Sunday Morning to play there pieces, they won a Bronze Award and they received many good comments from the three adjudicators. A happy bunch then made their way home.
The 30th November saw the Senior Band play at the Crieff Christmas Light Switch On. Although it was a very cold day the crowds as well as the band enjoyed it.
December is now here and we will be out and about local over the next few weeks please come out and hear us, more on the Where to see and Hear us page.
We thank you for your support over the last year and would like to wish you all “A Very Merry Christmas and A Guid New Year” from both Bands.
A date for your diaries we will be holding a “Come And Try Day” on the 25th January 2020 in Ferntower Hall Morrison's Academy Crieff, this is for anyone, young and old, who would like to join us and learn to play a Brass Instrument. We always need more players so why not come and hear and see what we have to offer.
November 2019
Apologies for the gap between our news updates. We held our Coffee Morning with Music on 18th May and had a very good attendance. After that we had some good rehearsals and manged to gain 2 players, Leah Menzies on front row cornet and Lorna Stewart on Flugel Horn. We kept the rehearsals going till the school holiday period when we took a break and then on 4th August we played at one of our yearly events “Drummond Castle Gardens Charity Open Day” where we welcomed the help of one of our founders Hilary Whitaker who now plays with Kingdom Brass. Rehearsals started seriously again and we gained 2 younger players, 1 to each band and we look forward to them being with us for along time, and we are looking towards our Autumn / Winter Concert to be held later this month in “Ferntower Hall” Morrison’s Academy Crieff. We also managed to get a group of players out at 8am in the morning to play at the opening of the new supermarket in Crieff “Aldi Stores” we look forward to having a good relationship with them in the future.
Late on in October we were informed that we are one of the groups who will receive funding from the Co-op Community Funding Scheme. We look forward to our relationship with them growing as well. More on the sponsor page.
May 2019
Our Annual General Meeting was held on 25th April where we had a good attendance of members but so well on the parent front. The present Committee was voted on for another year. We hope to see a few changes in how we perform as a band and to that end we are going to survey all members and parents and ask questions on rehearsals, music, and another few thoughts.
We are also looking forward to our Coffee Morning with Entertainment which will be held on 18th May in St Andrews Hall, Strathearn Terrace, Crieff at 10am, both Bands will be entertaining so come and enjoy.
We are also working towards the summer season with some new music for both bands. We will keep you updated as time goes by on these.
We are always looking for Players, new or old, sponsors to help with funding and anyone who feels they can’t play but would like to help in other ways, you are all welcome.
April 2019
Our application for funding from Crieff Community Trust saw us receive the sum of £500 this will be used to buy some music and help pay for our tutor.
Our Coffee Morning with Entertainment is going ahead on Saturday 18th May and we look forward to seeing you all. It is being held in St Andrews Halls, Strathearn Terrace, Crieff and begins at 9am.
We have welcomed a new player to our ranks, Lorna Stewart who plays the Flugel Horn, we hope she will enjoy her time with us. It is very encouraging when we get someone who is already a player or wishes to learn.
Jim Wishart (Band Manager) was invited to attend Kilgraston Schools spring concert on Tuesday 2nd April where he heard many good musicians playing instruments and singing in choirs. Our baritone player Lucy goes to this school and he heard her play “ In Dreams” the piece she played to gain the winners spot in grade 2-4 Young Musician at the school. It was very encouraging to hear so many talented musicians.
March 2019
We started of 2019 with some changes in personnel, some leaving us and some new faces joining the Development Band. Also one from the Development Band joining the Senior Band.
We have been trying out some new music and it seems to be going down well.
We have had our application to Cash for Crieff accepted and this is now out to the public vote in Crieff, if we can receive some money from this it will help keep our tutor in place to help develop a good Brass Band in the Strathearn area.
Annual General Meeting is being held on Thursday 25th April anyone with an interest in both bands are invited to attend.
November 2018
Since our last new items we have been busy rehearsing for our Annual Concert which we held on 22nd November. We had a variety of music in the programme and also had a few items from our Development Band. It was good to have some of our ex-players help us out namely Chris Young (Soprano Cornet) and husband and wife team Les and Susan Crockart (Eb Horn and Eb Bass) also Lloyd Griffin came to help us on Cornet along with David Macluskey from Lochgelly Band, a big thank you to them all. We now are getting into the Christmas theme with Christmas Carol Playing organised for Crieff and Perth. The James Denholm Partnership Trophy for 2018 was won by Myles Lindgren.
October 2018
We have been busy organising our concert. It will be held in St. Andrews Church Hall, Strathearn Terrace, Crieff on Thursday 22nd November at 7.30pm. Cost is Adult: £5 and Children: Free. The programme will start with the Development Band playing there programme for the Scottish Youth Brass Band Festival which is taking place in Perth Concert Hall on Sunday 25th November. The remainder of the night will be handed over to the Senior Band who have a programme which you will all enjoy. There will also be a raffle.
Please come and support us.
We also invite any players along, particularly Cornet and Bass players and if you wish to learn a brass instrument please contact us at brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com or via our Facebook page.
September 2018
The band has had a successful start to the autumn and winter season. We have managed to attract a few more players from Bridge of Earn, Forgandenny, and Dunblane. It goes to show if you want to play a brass instrument distance is no object. We also stated looking at some new music and all seem to be enjoying playing them.
We hope to be able to hold a concert in November and more details will follow. We are also looking to be out and about in December playing Christmas Carols and we will let you know where and when.
We will welcome any players along, particularly Cornet and Bass players and if you wish to learn a brass instrument please contact us at brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com or via our Facebbok page.
August 2018
We have had a busy few weeks throughout July and into August. Firstly a small group of us performed at Crieff Churches Bible Club where we played a couple of pieces and chatted to the kids about the benefit of music. On the 15th July we attended and played with the help of Lianda Barnes of Lochgelly Band, for Crieff Kids Week in the MacRosty Park also holding a taster session for kids and adults.
Two of our Trombone players, Gregor Robertson and Tommy Bath attended the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) Children’s Band at Strathallan School, Forgandenny for a week’s training and fun ending with a concert on the Saturday. I am told they are hoping to back next year. Well done.
On 5th August we played at one of our annual engagements, Drummond Castle Gardens Open Day. We had a guest player, Hilary Whitaker of Kingdom Brass, Hilary was the instigator of our band as it is today and it was nice to see her. We also took along some of the Development Band.
Our rehearsals start back in earnest on Thursday 9th August and we have some new music looked out for the band to work on.
If any players out there are looking to come back to playing or anyone wishing to learn, please get in touch. You will be made most welcome.
May 2018
Our Annual General Meeting was held on 26th April and we had a good attendance of members and parents. A new committee was elected due to several members wishing to stand down, Kirsteen Henderson as Chair and Joanne Robertson as Treasurer both have served the Band and the committee for a number of years and we were sorry to see them leave the committee but in Joanne’s case not the band.
The new committee is now as follows:-
Chairperson. Catriona Mellive-Mason
Vice Chair. To be announced.
Band Manager/Secretary. Jim Wishart
Treasurer. Mrs Carol Lang
Child Protection Officer. Shona Douglas
Members. Helen Barr
Shona Digance
Hugh Grierson
Morag Irvine
Elizabeth Philip.
Musical Director. Mr Tom Smith MMusRCS
We now look forward to being able to part in a couple of Engagements throughout the summer period, namely playing as part of Crieff Kids Week in the MacRosty Park Bandstand on Sunday 15th July, where will also have a Recruiting Stand. Then on Sunday 5th August we will be at Drummond Castle Gardens Open Day. We would love to see as many people as possible to come and hear what we are capable of.
April 2018
Firstly congratulations to Jim Wishart, Band Manager on being appointed to the Executive Committee of the Scottish Brass Band Association.
We have had a busy couple of months rehearsing new music and managed to keep all rehearsals except for one during the “Beast from the East” weather.
We are still requiring more players and particularly a Principal Cornet we also have vacancies for all other sections and percussion. If you think you could join us or help us out please get in touch.
Our AGM will be held on Thursday 26th April at 7pm in the Music Dept. Ardvreck School, Gwyder Rd, Crieff PH7 4EX. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend and we require a few committee members, you may be the one to help?
January 2018
We have had a turbulent year in 2017. Loosing players and MD, but in March we found a new MD in Tom Smith (MMus.RCS). We worked hard under his direction to try and gain more players, but in remote Strathearn this is easier said than done, but we keep trying and have had help from a lot of Brass Band Friends to keep us going.
We did manage to keep a couple of engagements, Drummond Castle Gardens which is an annual event for us, Perth Corps Salvation Army, 135th Anniversary Celebrations, and Christmas Carols at Tesco Extra, Crieff Rd. Perth, and Coop Crieff where we had a back packing session as well. Our own Christmas Carol Concert on 17th December 2017 in Strathearn Artspace was a great success and over the Christmas period we made some money for our funds.
In November our Development Band entered the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championship, Novice Section and gained a Bronze Award. This gave the young ones and nots so young ones a great boost and we hope to see some of them in the Senior Band shortly.
In early December we started visiting more schools in the Perth & Kinross area who do not get brass tuition and hope to gain some young starters from them. We have a good relationship with Brass Tutors and Music Department Heads in our local area and this helps us as well helping them.
We look forward to 2018 being a year that Brass Central Strathearn can grow in numbers as well as musically. We hope also that we can be heard musically in the Strathearn and Scottish Area.
We hope soon to have a page dedicated to our Development Band, keep a look out please.
February 2017
We have got off to a bad start in 2017. After losing our 1st Baritone player in December last year we have now lost three of our members. Firstly Gill Dawes one of our Euphonium player has left due to family and business. We also lost our Principal Cornet player and Development band tutor Clare Haddow along with our Musical Director Kenny Letham. Both of these are due to new teaching employment with Fife schools, where they both live. We which them all the best for the future.
The committee is actively seeking a new Musical Director/ Tutor and hope to have someone in place soon. When he or she is in place we will begin a strong recruiting drive.
We will be keeping any engagements in the diary with the help of friends from other bands.
If you can help out in any way please contacts through the web page or Facebook. Alternatively email:- brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com
December 2016
What a year we have had. Development Band started more engagements, more funding and lots of enjoyment.
I will start with the more up to date. The Development Band has received two trombones from Miller Hendry Estate Agency and a grant of £500 from Ross & Liddell Community Bursaries. These two go a long way to helping keep brass banding a live in Strathearn now.
Some of the children managed to attend The Festival of Brass run by the Scottish Brass Band Association at the end of November and came away with a very enjoyable experience. Thanks goes to John Boax Development Officer of SBBA for making this possible.
As we approach the end of 2016 we are happy to tell you all we are in good stead and are looking forward to playing Christmas Carols at Crieff Primary School Christmas Fayre, Crieff late shopping night, Balhousie Dalnaglar Care Home in Crieff, Tesco Extra Crieff Road Perth where we hope to be able to raise some funds. We then look to our own Christmas Concert in Comrie and Dundurn Parish Church, this is a new venture for us and we hope it will become a yearly feature through Strathearn and beyond.
I could go on but I do not want to bore you. You have read most of what we have achieved throughout the year if you have been reading our page.
I will take this opportunity to Wish You All a Very Merry Christmas and A Guid New Year and look forward to what us as a band and you as are supporters and can do in 2017.
Jim Wishart (Band Manager) is also Music Librarian for the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) and spent the first week of August at Strathallan School Forgandenny with 150 young people and Brass Tutors from all over Scotland playing great music. It accumulated in 3 Concerts in the Albert Halls Stirling on Saturday 6th August.
We had a great day at Drummond Castle Open Day on Sunday 7th August where the weather was good, and they had a good crowd. We always look forward to this engagement with its lovely environment.
Rehearsals start back in earnest on Thursday 18th August in Ferntower Hall of Morrisons Academy.
Development Band at 6.15pm and Senior Band at 7pm.
1st September is a date for the diaries we will be holding a “Come and Try” evening in conjunction with Morrisons Academy School and all schools in the area. This will be held in Ferntower Block, Morrisons Academy, Ferntower Rd Crieff starting at 6.15pm when all young folk and older folks will be warmly welcomed.
This a night to come along and see and hear what we as a Brass Band can offer to the people of Crieff and Strathearn and the surrounding area’s.
Please contact brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com for more information and to book a space for the Come and Try.
July 2022
We have had a break during July to re charge the batteries etc.
We start rehearsing again on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th August ready for our annual engagement at Drummond Castle Open Day on Sunday 7th August. We always look forward to this engagement with its lovely environment.
Rehearsals start back in earnest on Thursday 18th August.
1st September is a date for the diaries we will be holding a “Come and Try” evening in conjunction with Morrisons Academy School and all schools in the area. This will be held in Ferntower Block, Morrisons Academy, Ferntower Rd Crieff starting at 6.30pm when all young folk and older folks will be warmly welcomed.
This a night to come along and see and hear what we as a Brass Band can offer to the people of Crieff and Strathearn and the surrounding area’s.
Please contact brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com for more information.
June 2022
We enjoyed playing on Saturday 4th June for “Little Dunning” Fete the weather held out and the audience had a great day.
On Sunday 5th we played in the Bandstand at MacRosty Park or the “Platinum Jubilee” picnic in the park. Again, the weather was great, and the audience was of great size.
We now go into the next period with a break of a few weeks because of holidays, but we will be back again in time for “Drummond Castle” Gardens Open Day on Sunday 7th August.
We hope to start classes again for young and old starting as the schools go back in August. We will provide more details nearer the time. As always anyone is free to join us at any of our rehearsals on a Thursday at 7pm.
Please contact brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com for more information.
March 2022
In March we held our AGM, the first in 2 years due to Covid 19 with a good attendance of members. There were a few changes to our committee. The new Chairperson is Graham Martin, and his wife Jayne has joined the committee also. We also appointed a new Child Protection Officer, Helen Barr. The committee is as follows:- Chair, Graham Martin, Band Manager, Jim Wishart, Treasurer, Carol Lang. Members, Helen Barr, Shona Douglas, Hugh Grierson, Gemma Lang, Jayne Martin, Lorna Stewart, Elizabeth Philip and representing the junior members, Jacob Lang. The Musical Director is Tom Smith MMusRCS.
We have a few engagements in our calendar for the next few months. June, Dunning Fete, and Bandstand MacRosty Park and in August it will be great to be back at Drummond Castle Gardens for there Open Day. If you require the services of the band, please make contact.
During the Covid period the band lost some young players to other commitments and to this end we wish to start recruiting again. We are holding a “Come and Try” night on Thursday 28th April from 6.30-7.30pm. This is open to youngster aged 9 years and upwards. On the night we will have members and our MD Tom Smith on hand to talk to you and let you try an instrument. We ask that you contact us on brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com so we can have instruments available for you to try. This evening is completely free, and no prior experience is required.
As I write this, we have just finished playing at the Scottish Brass Band Championships held in Perth Concert Hall. The comments from the adjudicator were positive and we now look forward to a visit from him to one of our rehearsals.
We now go into our AGM which I will report on in the next issue. The next big date in our calendar is a “Come and Try” evening to be held in St Andrews Hall Strathearn Terrace Crieff on Thursday 28th April at 6.30pm We ask anybody young or old who would like to try a brass instrument or anyone who has played in the past to come and give it a try. Especially anyone who would like to play a Trombone. All the sections in the band need a few new players. We do ask that you contact us at brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com so we can have instruments available for you to try. We would also invite any percussion players to join us as well. We only rehearse once a week on a Thursday and have a limited concert diary throughout the year.
September 2021
We are very grateful to Ardvreck School for the use of there outdoor facilities over the last few weeks, it has given us the opportunity to get back to playing and rehearsing. On the 29th August we managed to give our first performance since March 2020 when we played at “Bark in the Park” in the bandstand at MacRosty Park Crieff.
As the nights are drawing in and the pupils are back at Ardvreck School along with regulations surrounding schools with Covid still in mind we are temporarily moving our rehearsals to St Andrews Church Hall, Strathearn Terr., Crieff PH7 3AQ. Anyone who can already play or wanting to learn can come and join us on a Thursday evening from 6.30-8.30pm. We have instruments to lend if required.
August 2021
We are getting organized to return to banding. The band is very grateful to Ardvreck School for allowing us the use of a stretch tent so that rehearsals can go ahead as from Thursday 12th August. We will of course have all precautions we can in place for everyone’s safety. We are looking forward to getting back together and also playing at “Bark In The Park” on Sunday 29th August in the Bandstand, MacRosty Park, Crieff. If you would like to join us we do have vacancies for those who can play and we will be starting our group for those who wish to take up an instrument in the next couple of weeks.
May 2021
The band would like to thank the people and friends of the Strathearn area and beyond who sent us great comments on our video “Local Heroes” which was and still is on our Facebook page and on YouTube. We are hoping that we can get back together as a band soon and be able to get out and about in the Strathearn area to thank you all personally.
If you would like to join us we have instruments available and you can contact us at brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com
February 2021
We are still in the position of lockdown and no playing inside or out is allowed at present, but we have been busy on our own practice and the senior band have been working on a piece of music commissioned by us as our “thank you” and has been written by our own MD Tom Smith M MusRCS titled “Local Heroes”. We hope to have this out on our Facebook page and YouTube in time for the anniversary of clapping for carers on 26th March. We are also looking for photos with messages for friends or relatives etc who have been working on the frontline over the past year, short videos (without sound are welcome also). We require these by 1st March if possible and they should be sent to tystrathearn@gmail.com. Please look out for it and tell us what you think when you have seen and heard it.
January 2021
We finished of 2020 by putting out 4 Christmas Videos, on our Facebook and YouTube page, this was our first attempt at remote recording. A big thanks to our MD, Tom Smith for the work he put into this venture and to all the people who viewed them and commented.
As we start 2021 under another lockdown, we are having to think again on what we can do to keep the interest in banding going. Please bear with us as we try to think of new ways of holding rehearsals whether it be virtual and in small numbers or some other way.
Thank you for your support for the band and we are really looking forward to getting back out playing in the area.
December 2020
We would like to wish all our supporters a Very Good New Year and we hope 2021 will let all bands back to playing.
November 2020
We would like to thank the local people who shop at the Coop, we were part of the Coop Community Fund programme in our area from October 2019 till October 2020 and over this period we have received the sum of £5222.76 which has helped us keep our Musical Director and will go a long way to helping us when we can get back together.
We are still in the situation where we cannot rehearse as a group because of COVID-19 restrictions. There is an ongoing study into the “aerosol” effect from brass instruments and we await the outcome from this study.
2020 has been a turbulent year for the band, it has had highs and lows and I will try and cover them here. January 2020 saw us hold a “Come & Try” day which was successful, and we gained some new learners including adults. March saw us take part in the Scottish Brass Band Association Regional Championships for the first time in our history and received excellent comments from the adjudicator. Mid-March saw us having to suspend rehearsals for both the Development Band and Senior Band and at present this is still the case. Work on projects with the help of Lottery Funding was received and individual rehearsing is still ongoing and we hope to be able in 2021 to get out and about within the community and brighten up your days with music.
We hope you can all have a successful Christmas with family if possible and let’s hope 2021 will be a Happier Year.
All the best from all at Brass Central Strathearn.
May 2020
Brass Central Strathearn like all other organisations have had to suspend their activities at the present time. All members from both bands are practising at home with the help of worksheets and videos that our MD Tom Smith has been producing. We hope this is keeping the interest and momentum going.
We are going to try and have a Zoom meeting to have a chat with each other and pass on tips or advise to each other on how to keep our practicing at home going during this time.
We should have had our AGM in April, but this has also been put on hold until restrictions are lifted.
We wish everybody a safe time at home and look forward to the day we can all get back together.
March 2020
After our hard work throughout January and February the band eventually took part in the Scottish Championship 2020 organised and run by the Scottish Brass Band Association in Perth Concert Hall over the weekend 7th and 8th March. This is the 125th Anniversary of SBBA. This was the first time since the band was formed in 2012 that they performed at the event and they all enjoyed there day on stage and were very happy with the comments received from the Adjudicator, Gareth Bowman who will also visit the band at one of their rehearsals over the next year. Gareth’s first comment were well done Euphonium (Shona Douglas) then he says nice sound from Solo Cornet (Lucy Douglas) and Solo Trombone (Myles Lindgren) he also makes comments on most of the other sections of the band. Gareth is a music teacher as well as being a regular tutor with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland who during the Easter and Summer hold courses for NYBBS at Strathallan School, more information for this can be found on the SBBA web site- sbba.org.uk
Our rehearsals carry on at the Music Dept at Ardvreck School on a Thursday evening 6pm for the Development Band which has grown since our open day at the end of January. Senior Band is at 7pm and anyone who can play or wishes to learn please come along and give it a try we want to keep the band going for 125 years if we can.
January 2020
Well January is now with us and we look back at December where we were very busy with Christmas. 7th December seen us play at Crieff Christmas Fun Day, Crieff Coop on Thursday 19th, Tesco, Crieff Rd Perth and Aldi, Broich Rd Crieff on the 21st. We also received a welcome boost to our funding when Crieff Drama Group donated £240 to us which they collected at their mini pantomimes.
We are now starting rehearsals again on 9th January working towards our Summer programmes and our “Come and Try” Day on 25th January.
The “Come and Try” Day is to help recruit new players or ones who haven’t played in a while. It is open to anyone aged 9+ and will be held in Ferntower Hall, Morrison’s Academy, Crieff from 10am till 12 noon. We will have our MD Tom Smith on hand and John Boax (SBBA Education Officer) will also be present to help you try a brass instrument and members of Brass Central Strathearn will be on hand to answer your questions.
The band is always open to being asked to play at any type of function and you can get in touch about anything band orientated by contacting: brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com
December 2019
When I done the notes for November I forgot to tell you we had the privilege of playing at the opening of the new Aldi Store in Crieff in October, this was officially opened by the Olympian Sally Walton. It was an early start for some of the Band 0745 hrs, but we made it and had a good audience while waiting for the store opening. A big thanks to Aldi for inviting us.
Well our concert is over and what a night, a good audience and a great hall to play in, thank you Morrison’s Academy School. We started the night with The March “Star Lake” then “Free World Fantasy” the Irish folk song “Down By The Salley Gardens” and music from “The Greatest Showman” then the Development Band took over and played there pieces which they were going to be playing at The Festival of Brass. There was a quick interval when the raffle was drawn, I must thank Morag, Shona and Carol parent members of the committee for their help in running the raffle and at the door. At this time also The Development Trophy for the player who has shown the greatest progress was presented to Kyra Maitland (Cornet) by our MD Tom Smith and Jim Wishart (Band Manager) presented Helen Barr (Cornet) from the Senior Band with The Players Trophy. On to the second half which started with “The Skywriter” which is a great march, “For A Friend” “Tartanheart” both written by Alan Fernie. A Maori Farewell Song “Now Is The Hour” written by Paul Lovatt-Cooper and we finished with “Bohemian Rhapsody”
On Sunday 24th November the Development Band had entered The Festival of Brass run by the Scottish Brass Band Association and they all duly turned up at 10am on a Sunday Morning to play there pieces, they won a Bronze Award and they received many good comments from the three adjudicators. A happy bunch then made their way home.
The 30th November saw the Senior Band play at the Crieff Christmas Light Switch On. Although it was a very cold day the crowds as well as the band enjoyed it.
December is now here and we will be out and about local over the next few weeks please come out and hear us, more on the Where to see and Hear us page.
We thank you for your support over the last year and would like to wish you all “A Very Merry Christmas and A Guid New Year” from both Bands.
A date for your diaries we will be holding a “Come And Try Day” on the 25th January 2020 in Ferntower Hall Morrison's Academy Crieff, this is for anyone, young and old, who would like to join us and learn to play a Brass Instrument. We always need more players so why not come and hear and see what we have to offer.
November 2019
Apologies for the gap between our news updates. We held our Coffee Morning with Music on 18th May and had a very good attendance. After that we had some good rehearsals and manged to gain 2 players, Leah Menzies on front row cornet and Lorna Stewart on Flugel Horn. We kept the rehearsals going till the school holiday period when we took a break and then on 4th August we played at one of our yearly events “Drummond Castle Gardens Charity Open Day” where we welcomed the help of one of our founders Hilary Whitaker who now plays with Kingdom Brass. Rehearsals started seriously again and we gained 2 younger players, 1 to each band and we look forward to them being with us for along time, and we are looking towards our Autumn / Winter Concert to be held later this month in “Ferntower Hall” Morrison’s Academy Crieff. We also managed to get a group of players out at 8am in the morning to play at the opening of the new supermarket in Crieff “Aldi Stores” we look forward to having a good relationship with them in the future.
Late on in October we were informed that we are one of the groups who will receive funding from the Co-op Community Funding Scheme. We look forward to our relationship with them growing as well. More on the sponsor page.
May 2019
Our Annual General Meeting was held on 25th April where we had a good attendance of members but so well on the parent front. The present Committee was voted on for another year. We hope to see a few changes in how we perform as a band and to that end we are going to survey all members and parents and ask questions on rehearsals, music, and another few thoughts.
We are also looking forward to our Coffee Morning with Entertainment which will be held on 18th May in St Andrews Hall, Strathearn Terrace, Crieff at 10am, both Bands will be entertaining so come and enjoy.
We are also working towards the summer season with some new music for both bands. We will keep you updated as time goes by on these.
We are always looking for Players, new or old, sponsors to help with funding and anyone who feels they can’t play but would like to help in other ways, you are all welcome.
April 2019
Our application for funding from Crieff Community Trust saw us receive the sum of £500 this will be used to buy some music and help pay for our tutor.
Our Coffee Morning with Entertainment is going ahead on Saturday 18th May and we look forward to seeing you all. It is being held in St Andrews Halls, Strathearn Terrace, Crieff and begins at 9am.
We have welcomed a new player to our ranks, Lorna Stewart who plays the Flugel Horn, we hope she will enjoy her time with us. It is very encouraging when we get someone who is already a player or wishes to learn.
Jim Wishart (Band Manager) was invited to attend Kilgraston Schools spring concert on Tuesday 2nd April where he heard many good musicians playing instruments and singing in choirs. Our baritone player Lucy goes to this school and he heard her play “ In Dreams” the piece she played to gain the winners spot in grade 2-4 Young Musician at the school. It was very encouraging to hear so many talented musicians.
March 2019
We started of 2019 with some changes in personnel, some leaving us and some new faces joining the Development Band. Also one from the Development Band joining the Senior Band.
We have been trying out some new music and it seems to be going down well.
We have had our application to Cash for Crieff accepted and this is now out to the public vote in Crieff, if we can receive some money from this it will help keep our tutor in place to help develop a good Brass Band in the Strathearn area.
Annual General Meeting is being held on Thursday 25th April anyone with an interest in both bands are invited to attend.
November 2018
Since our last new items we have been busy rehearsing for our Annual Concert which we held on 22nd November. We had a variety of music in the programme and also had a few items from our Development Band. It was good to have some of our ex-players help us out namely Chris Young (Soprano Cornet) and husband and wife team Les and Susan Crockart (Eb Horn and Eb Bass) also Lloyd Griffin came to help us on Cornet along with David Macluskey from Lochgelly Band, a big thank you to them all. We now are getting into the Christmas theme with Christmas Carol Playing organised for Crieff and Perth. The James Denholm Partnership Trophy for 2018 was won by Myles Lindgren.
October 2018
We have been busy organising our concert. It will be held in St. Andrews Church Hall, Strathearn Terrace, Crieff on Thursday 22nd November at 7.30pm. Cost is Adult: £5 and Children: Free. The programme will start with the Development Band playing there programme for the Scottish Youth Brass Band Festival which is taking place in Perth Concert Hall on Sunday 25th November. The remainder of the night will be handed over to the Senior Band who have a programme which you will all enjoy. There will also be a raffle.
Please come and support us.
We also invite any players along, particularly Cornet and Bass players and if you wish to learn a brass instrument please contact us at brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com or via our Facebook page.
September 2018
The band has had a successful start to the autumn and winter season. We have managed to attract a few more players from Bridge of Earn, Forgandenny, and Dunblane. It goes to show if you want to play a brass instrument distance is no object. We also stated looking at some new music and all seem to be enjoying playing them.
We hope to be able to hold a concert in November and more details will follow. We are also looking to be out and about in December playing Christmas Carols and we will let you know where and when.
We will welcome any players along, particularly Cornet and Bass players and if you wish to learn a brass instrument please contact us at brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com or via our Facebbok page.
August 2018
We have had a busy few weeks throughout July and into August. Firstly a small group of us performed at Crieff Churches Bible Club where we played a couple of pieces and chatted to the kids about the benefit of music. On the 15th July we attended and played with the help of Lianda Barnes of Lochgelly Band, for Crieff Kids Week in the MacRosty Park also holding a taster session for kids and adults.
Two of our Trombone players, Gregor Robertson and Tommy Bath attended the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) Children’s Band at Strathallan School, Forgandenny for a week’s training and fun ending with a concert on the Saturday. I am told they are hoping to back next year. Well done.
On 5th August we played at one of our annual engagements, Drummond Castle Gardens Open Day. We had a guest player, Hilary Whitaker of Kingdom Brass, Hilary was the instigator of our band as it is today and it was nice to see her. We also took along some of the Development Band.
Our rehearsals start back in earnest on Thursday 9th August and we have some new music looked out for the band to work on.
If any players out there are looking to come back to playing or anyone wishing to learn, please get in touch. You will be made most welcome.
May 2018
Our Annual General Meeting was held on 26th April and we had a good attendance of members and parents. A new committee was elected due to several members wishing to stand down, Kirsteen Henderson as Chair and Joanne Robertson as Treasurer both have served the Band and the committee for a number of years and we were sorry to see them leave the committee but in Joanne’s case not the band.
The new committee is now as follows:-
Chairperson. Catriona Mellive-Mason
Vice Chair. To be announced.
Band Manager/Secretary. Jim Wishart
Treasurer. Mrs Carol Lang
Child Protection Officer. Shona Douglas
Members. Helen Barr
Shona Digance
Hugh Grierson
Morag Irvine
Elizabeth Philip.
Musical Director. Mr Tom Smith MMusRCS
We now look forward to being able to part in a couple of Engagements throughout the summer period, namely playing as part of Crieff Kids Week in the MacRosty Park Bandstand on Sunday 15th July, where will also have a Recruiting Stand. Then on Sunday 5th August we will be at Drummond Castle Gardens Open Day. We would love to see as many people as possible to come and hear what we are capable of.
April 2018
Firstly congratulations to Jim Wishart, Band Manager on being appointed to the Executive Committee of the Scottish Brass Band Association.
We have had a busy couple of months rehearsing new music and managed to keep all rehearsals except for one during the “Beast from the East” weather.
We are still requiring more players and particularly a Principal Cornet we also have vacancies for all other sections and percussion. If you think you could join us or help us out please get in touch.
Our AGM will be held on Thursday 26th April at 7pm in the Music Dept. Ardvreck School, Gwyder Rd, Crieff PH7 4EX. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend and we require a few committee members, you may be the one to help?
January 2018
We have had a turbulent year in 2017. Loosing players and MD, but in March we found a new MD in Tom Smith (MMus.RCS). We worked hard under his direction to try and gain more players, but in remote Strathearn this is easier said than done, but we keep trying and have had help from a lot of Brass Band Friends to keep us going.
We did manage to keep a couple of engagements, Drummond Castle Gardens which is an annual event for us, Perth Corps Salvation Army, 135th Anniversary Celebrations, and Christmas Carols at Tesco Extra, Crieff Rd. Perth, and Coop Crieff where we had a back packing session as well. Our own Christmas Carol Concert on 17th December 2017 in Strathearn Artspace was a great success and over the Christmas period we made some money for our funds.
In November our Development Band entered the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championship, Novice Section and gained a Bronze Award. This gave the young ones and nots so young ones a great boost and we hope to see some of them in the Senior Band shortly.
In early December we started visiting more schools in the Perth & Kinross area who do not get brass tuition and hope to gain some young starters from them. We have a good relationship with Brass Tutors and Music Department Heads in our local area and this helps us as well helping them.
We look forward to 2018 being a year that Brass Central Strathearn can grow in numbers as well as musically. We hope also that we can be heard musically in the Strathearn and Scottish Area.
We hope soon to have a page dedicated to our Development Band, keep a look out please.
February 2017
We have got off to a bad start in 2017. After losing our 1st Baritone player in December last year we have now lost three of our members. Firstly Gill Dawes one of our Euphonium player has left due to family and business. We also lost our Principal Cornet player and Development band tutor Clare Haddow along with our Musical Director Kenny Letham. Both of these are due to new teaching employment with Fife schools, where they both live. We which them all the best for the future.
The committee is actively seeking a new Musical Director/ Tutor and hope to have someone in place soon. When he or she is in place we will begin a strong recruiting drive.
We will be keeping any engagements in the diary with the help of friends from other bands.
If you can help out in any way please contacts through the web page or Facebook. Alternatively email:- brasscentralstrathearn@gmail.com
December 2016
What a year we have had. Development Band started more engagements, more funding and lots of enjoyment.
I will start with the more up to date. The Development Band has received two trombones from Miller Hendry Estate Agency and a grant of £500 from Ross & Liddell Community Bursaries. These two go a long way to helping keep brass banding a live in Strathearn now.
Some of the children managed to attend The Festival of Brass run by the Scottish Brass Band Association at the end of November and came away with a very enjoyable experience. Thanks goes to John Boax Development Officer of SBBA for making this possible.
As we approach the end of 2016 we are happy to tell you all we are in good stead and are looking forward to playing Christmas Carols at Crieff Primary School Christmas Fayre, Crieff late shopping night, Balhousie Dalnaglar Care Home in Crieff, Tesco Extra Crieff Road Perth where we hope to be able to raise some funds. We then look to our own Christmas Concert in Comrie and Dundurn Parish Church, this is a new venture for us and we hope it will become a yearly feature through Strathearn and beyond.
I could go on but I do not want to bore you. You have read most of what we have achieved throughout the year if you have been reading our page.
I will take this opportunity to Wish You All a Very Merry Christmas and A Guid New Year and look forward to what us as a band and you as are supporters and can do in 2017.