Our News
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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
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.
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.
