WLF meet the band: Whitburn

Whitburn Band is looking to defend its title at the 2016 West Lothian Festival of Brass.

THE Whitburn Band is adding the final touches to its programme ahead of the 2016 West Lothian Festival of Brass.

Following its victory last year, Whitburn will be looking to defend its title at Livingston’s Howden Park Centre on Sunday, June 12.

Here is more information about the reigning champion and its conductor, Craig Anderson.

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History

Whitburn Band was formed in the heart of West Lothian in 1870 and originally served as an outlet for members of the mining community to perform at local parades. 

Its first major contesting impact came in 1954 when it became the first Scottish band to secure a National title by winning the 3rd section in London.  Progression to the championship section followed and in 1968 Whitburn won its first Scottish Championship. Since then, the band has held the title 18 times.

Following the appointment of Major Peter Parkes in 1978, Whitburn dominated the Scottish brass band scene and became a regular prize winner in the major contests in England. 

It made regular broadcasts and performed in many of the finest concert halls in Europe, and - in 1990 - was runner-up at the European Championships.

One of the greatest honours in Whitburn’s history was bestowed on the band in 2002 when it was invited to perform in London as part of Her Majesty the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Today, the band continues to make a significant contribution to cultural life in Scotland, performing regularly at major events such as Scotland’s international rugby games.

Conductor

Craig Anderson began conducting when he took his first teaching post in 1998. He was offered his first Musical Director position with the Newmilns and Galston Band in 2001. Under his direction the band went from the second section to the championship section within the next three years. In this same period Craig was also Musical Director of the Dunaskin Doon Band and Resident Conductor with the Kirkintiloch Band.

In 2005 Craig was part of the RSNO Brass Quintet which visited Campbeltown Brass in the Mull of Kintyre. This trip proved to be an eventful one as shortly afterwards he was offered the post of Musical Director. Since then he has worked with the predominantly youth based group of musicians with great success. The band went from the third section to the first section in three years, winning many other prizes and plaudits along the way.

In 2006 Craig was appointed Musical Director of one of Scotland's top brass bands, Kingdom Brass. In his time there the band has achieved its best ever results at the Scottish Championships, the Scottish Open and the Spring Festival contests, the highlights being winning the Senior Trophy competition in 2006 and qualifying for the Grand Shield in 2009.

As well as brass band conducting Craig has also been heavily involved in wind bands and big bands. In 2009 Craig was appointed as Musical Director of the Wind Farm course by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.