Under the spotlight: Barrhead Burgh

TAKING part in the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge is Barrhead Burgh Band. Hailing from East Renfrewshire, the third section outfit is conducted by Brian Keachie and has a proud history on the competitive stage - it has qualified for the national finals 12 times since 1949!

Time for the band to introduce itself...

Soprano cornet: Lynn Hunter

Principal cornet: Campbell Young

Flugelhorn: Jill Campbell

Solo horn: Erin Docherty

Solo baritone: Stephen Sheach

Solo trombone: Sharon Turnbull

Solo euphonium: David Gibson

Solo Eb bass: Fiona Parker

Solo Bb bass: James Kissack

Principal percussionist: Anne O'Donnell

Barrhead Burgh Band was first instituted as the Levern Instrumental Band (the brass band from Neilston).

Sometime thereafter, the name changed to the Barrhead Instrumental Band and later still became known simply as Barrhead Brass Band. It is recorded that the band took part in the Chartist Demonstrations (the weavers riots) at Meikleriggs Moor, Paisley in 1819.

When Barrhead was granted Burgh Charter in 1894, the band was soon being referred to as the Burgh Brass Band. In 1903, the band gained membership to the Scottish Central Brass Band Association and entered the contesting field as a second section band.

In 1919 the band gained membership of the Scottish Amateur Brass Band Association (SABBA). In the Scottish second section championships at Motherwell in 1922, under the baton of James Marshall, Barrhead was awarded 1st place. However, the band was disqualified for rule infringement having played 26 players when the rules allowed only 24 players. Although disqualified, Barrhead was promoted to the championship section where it remained until 1927 when it entered but did not compete.

As a result of the economic downturn of the 1920s and '30s, the band was forced to disband in 1932. In 1949, after an absence of 17 years, Barrhead Burgh Band was re-formed.

As a result of local government reorganisation in 1977, Barrhead became part of the new Renfrew District Council and was instructed to change its name. The band then reluctantly became known as Barrhead and District Band.

The new title was never popular and in 1995, it reverted back to Barrhead Burgh Band. This move coincided with Barrhead being awarded the SABBA Band of the Year award and trophy. This achievement was repeated in 2004 and again in 2006.

Since being re-formed in 1949, Barrhead has qualified for the National Finals on 12 occasions.
In 2015, Barrhead have won Best 3rd Section Band at the Land o ' Burns contest and the Fife Brass Band Festival.

The conductor

MD Brian N Keachie is the well-known former principal cornet player of Kilmarnock Concert Brass. A peripatetic brass teacher by profession, Brian received his early musical training within the Salvation Army. His interest for music in particular brass banding developed significantly when as a pupil of Kilmarnock Academy he came under the influence and leadership of his brother Andrew.

In 1969 he was appointed principal cornet of the Kilmarnock Youth Band. Within the space of 10 years as principal cornet, he helped lead Kilmarnock to achieve every honour available within Scottish banding, culminating with the band becoming Scottish Champions in 1979. He was principal cornet of Kilmarnock for 29 years during which time he achieved numerous competition successes and featured on television, radio and commercial recordings with them.

As a music educator Brian was the recipient of the 2002 Yamaha Scottish Instrumental Teacher of the Year Award. First appointed MD of Barrhead in 2002 he has been instrumental in the resurgence of them within Scottish banding, taking the band to a new level and in doing so, guiding them to numerous contest successes, most notably the title of 2004 second section champion band of Scotland.