Registered Charity No. SC0. 52284
About us
History
Brass Central Strathearn was formed in February 2012 by people living in Strathearn.
When they saw the Victorian Bandstand in MacRosty Park Crieff being transformed, the then Band Manager (Mrs Hilary Whitaker) set herself the task of forming a new band in Strathearn.
With the help from The Board of Governors, Headmaster and Head of Music for Ardvreck School in Crieff and the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) Brass Central Strathearn was formed.
Hilary managed to get Kenny Letham now Dysart Band to be the first MD and between them they managed to get players from other areas to form the band.
In 2014 Hilary left the Crieff area and handed over the managership to Jim Wishart, who is still manager today.
2014 saw the band play for the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, (Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) when they visited the Strathearn Area.
2016 saw us raise the Development Band. We decided that we wanted to open the chance to young and old, hence Development not Youth.
2017 saw our present MD, Tom Smith MMus. RCS join us and in 2018 he took the Development Band to the Festival of Brass, run and organized by the Scottish Brass Band Association.
March 2020 saw Brass Central Strathearn for the first time take part in the 4b Section at the Scottish Brass Band Contest held in Perth Concert Hall.
When they saw the Victorian Bandstand in MacRosty Park Crieff being transformed, the then Band Manager (Mrs Hilary Whitaker) set herself the task of forming a new band in Strathearn.
With the help from The Board of Governors, Headmaster and Head of Music for Ardvreck School in Crieff and the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) Brass Central Strathearn was formed.
Hilary managed to get Kenny Letham now Dysart Band to be the first MD and between them they managed to get players from other areas to form the band.
In 2014 Hilary left the Crieff area and handed over the managership to Jim Wishart, who is still manager today.
2014 saw the band play for the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, (Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) when they visited the Strathearn Area.
2016 saw us raise the Development Band. We decided that we wanted to open the chance to young and old, hence Development not Youth.
2017 saw our present MD, Tom Smith MMus. RCS join us and in 2018 he took the Development Band to the Festival of Brass, run and organized by the Scottish Brass Band Association.
March 2020 saw Brass Central Strathearn for the first time take part in the 4b Section at the Scottish Brass Band Contest held in Perth Concert Hall.
Musical Director - Tom Smith
Tom Smith has served as the Musical Director of Brass Central Strathearn since February 2018. A passionate music educator and community-focused leader, Tom combines professional musicianship with a commitment to inclusive music-making.
Tom brings extensive conducting experience to the podium. Prior to his current role, he spent over four years as the Musical Director of Kirkshaws Community Brass and held long-standing conducting tenures with the Bearsden and Milngavie Youth Orchestra and the Stirling Schools Orchestra.
His leadership is underpinned by a distinguished performance career spanning nearly two decades. As a low brass specialist, Tom appeared regularly as a Guest Principal Bass Trombone with leading orchestras, including the Scottish Ballet, Scottish Opera, and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. A versatile musician, his background also includes recording and touring with renowned artists such as Belle and Sebastian and Idlewild.
Tom holds a Master of Music (Distinction) in Bass Trombone from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and a Postgraduate Diploma in Music Education from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His dual expertise in performance and pedagogy ensures that rehearsals are engaging, developing the technical and musical literacy of every band member.
Tom brings extensive conducting experience to the podium. Prior to his current role, he spent over four years as the Musical Director of Kirkshaws Community Brass and held long-standing conducting tenures with the Bearsden and Milngavie Youth Orchestra and the Stirling Schools Orchestra.
His leadership is underpinned by a distinguished performance career spanning nearly two decades. As a low brass specialist, Tom appeared regularly as a Guest Principal Bass Trombone with leading orchestras, including the Scottish Ballet, Scottish Opera, and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. A versatile musician, his background also includes recording and touring with renowned artists such as Belle and Sebastian and Idlewild.
Tom holds a Master of Music (Distinction) in Bass Trombone from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and a Postgraduate Diploma in Music Education from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His dual expertise in performance and pedagogy ensures that rehearsals are engaging, developing the technical and musical literacy of every band member.
Members at present
Musical Director
Tom Smith BMus, MMus, PGDE
Tom Smith BMus, MMus, PGDE
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Eb Soprano Cornet
Vacant Solo Bb Cornet Stephen Carter Jayne Martin (Secretary) Vacant Vacant Bb Repiano Cornet Vacant 2nd Bb Cornet Ian Melville Adrian Fox 3rd Bb Cornet Max Lang Jack King Flugel Horn Melvyn Turnbull Solo Eb Horn Catriona Melville-Mason 1st Eb Horn Vacant 2nd Eb Horn Hazel Sym (CPO) |
1st Bb Baritone
Jim Wishart (Band Manager) 2nd Bb Baritone Brodie Caudrey 1st Trombone Helen Frawley 2nd Trombone Thomas Crawford Bass Trombone Ruaridh Buyers Solo Bb Euphonium Shona Douglas (Treasurer) 2nd Bb Euphonium Morag Campbell Eb Bass Hugh Grierson Jennifer Morrison Bb Bass Sebastiaan van Wordragen Ian Crawford Tuned Percussion Vacant Percussion (Kit) Fyn van Wordragen |
Joining the band?
Brass Central Strathearn would like to invite Ex Brass players or anyone wanting to learn a brass instrument to come along to one of our rehearsals on a Thursday evening between 7.00pm and 8.30pm in the Ferntower Hall Morrisons Academy Crieff PH7 3AN.
We play a variety of music from traditional brass to modern pop, and play at various engagements throughout the Strathearn area, also our own Annual and Christmas Concerts. We are a small and friendly bunch and we will make you feel very welcome. Our Development Band has been in existence for 2yrs and some of the players are now joining the senior band. If you would like more information please contact Jim Wishart (Band Manager) 07738274197 or email [email protected]
We will supply the instrument if you don’t have your own. We require players for all sections as well as percussion.
See our contact page for all the information needed
We play a variety of music from traditional brass to modern pop, and play at various engagements throughout the Strathearn area, also our own Annual and Christmas Concerts. We are a small and friendly bunch and we will make you feel very welcome. Our Development Band has been in existence for 2yrs and some of the players are now joining the senior band. If you would like more information please contact Jim Wishart (Band Manager) 07738274197 or email [email protected]
We will supply the instrument if you don’t have your own. We require players for all sections as well as percussion.
See our contact page for all the information needed
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