Under the spotlight: Campbeltown Brass

CAMPBELTOWN Brass is the next band to enjoy a turn under the spotlight. Hailing from the Mull of Kintyre, the band is enjoying a renaissance after the return of Gordon Evans MBE to the area.

With a talented bunch of young and experienced players, Campbeltown Brass will be out to impress at the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge on November 28. 

Here's some more information on the band...

Soprano cornet: Hannah Oman

Principal cornet: Kirsten Souter

Flugel: Emma Bannatyne

Solo horn: Amy Paterson

Solo baritone: Dorothy Ralston

Solo trombone: Lucy Kerr

Solo euphonium: Murray Ralston

Solo Eb bass: Kenneth Ralston

Solo Bb bass: Willie Ralston

Formed in 1983, the band has experienced more than its fair share of highs, with the occasional lows along the way. From the outset, it was conducted by Gordon Evans, who was the first full-time instrumental instructor to be appointed in the area. He worked to establish a band with a wonderful reputation for producing and developing young talent, talent which would habitually leave Campbeltown in search of further education or employment.

This would open the door to another batch of youngsters, and so the "conveyer belt" continued. In April 2003, however, Gordon left Campbeltown and there was some concern as to how the band, and indeed the young musicians, would fare.

For a short period, Rob Farmer (formerly flugel player of Wingates Band) took over the reigns as instructor and conductor. Then in 2004, a brass quintet from the RSNO came to Campbeltown to work with the band, which led to a new chapter in its history. One of the musicians of the ensemble was tuba player and conductor, Craig Anderson. He quickly developed a rapport with Campbeltown Brass, and was subsequently appointed Musical Director.

Under Craig's leadership, the band has enjoyed undoubtedly the most successful period in its existence. His enthusiasm, energy and ambition have raised the bar with regards to the band's playing; this has since been reflected in contest results over the past few years. In addition to success at solo and quintet level, Campbeltown Brass has enjoyed numerous victories in band competitions around the country. The culmination of this form is surely the consecutive victories at the Scottish Regional Championships in the 3rd and 2nd sections (2007 and 2008 respectively), as well as winning the Scottish Challenge Cup.

To assist Craig, there are other individuals who have put in countless hours preparing the band with the week-in, week-out rehearsals it has needed to prosper. Long-serving player Katrina Barr is one such person, whether standing in front of the band, playing or dealing with some of its much-needed background organisation. Another is a founding member of Campbeltown Brass all those years ago, Jamie McVicar. Jamie was the Musical Director until the end of 2012 and led the band to many successes.

In January 2013 the band was very pleased to welcome back Gordon Evans to Campbeltown and since then he has been instrumental in building back up the bands youth section. In November last year our 2 youth bands were crowned Scottish Champions in both the 12 and under and 14 and under sections. With successes at the Scottish solo and ensemble finals held in Livingston last year and promising qualifications at this years West of Scotland the future looks bright for the band.

The senior band was 3rd at the Scottish area championships in March and competed at Kirkcaldy in September for the Fife Charities contest and won the best 3rd section band trophy.

We are looking forward to competing again at the Youth Championships on the November 21 and the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge on November 28.

The conductor

Gordon learned to play in The Salvation Army and in 1969 left the Kettering Citadel Band to spend 9 years as a tuba player in the Band of HM Scots Guards, where he played at all the major ceremonial occasions, toured the world and made numerous recordings with the Band, including a solo performance on Radio 3 Bandstand programme.

In 1978 a career change saw him appointed as the first full-time brass and woodwind instructor to the schools in the Campbeltown area. He stayed for 25 years forming Campbeltown Grammar School brass and wind bands, Kintyre Schools Band and ultimately Campbeltown Brass. All these groups went on to win British and Scottish Championships and regularly produce a whole conveyor belt of players, many still playing in bands and orchestras all of the world.

He followed this by taking up brass teaching appointments in Cumbria and Dundee, before retiring in December 2013. With his wife, Libby, he returned to Campbeltown earlier this year, where he has recently taken over as Musical Director of Campbeltown Brass.

In recognition of this work in Kintyre, he has been awarded both the MBE and The Mortimer Medal.

His association with NYBBS started in 1985 and he was the instigator of The National Children's Brass Band of Scotland, a project very close to his heart.