Our News
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.
