Dunaskin Doon set for Nationals

Dunaskin Doon member Angus Cochrane is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his first appearance at the National Brass Band Championships.

THE Dunaskin Doon Band is adding the final touches to its performance ahead of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.

Dunaskin is preparing for its second trip to Cheltenham in three years – in 2014, competing in the third section, the band finished second to Ebbw Vale.

Preparations for second section set work Images for Brass, by Stephen Bulla, saw the band hold a training day. Invited tutors Alan Pash, Craig Anderson, Michael Fleming and Scott Kerr assisted Musical Director Chris Bradley in sectional and full band rehearsals. Band members described the day as a "resounding success," with the players gaining "immeasurably" from the guidance and advice offered by the tutors.

While the set work was written to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the WWII battle of Iwo Jima, the band’s longest serving member, Angus Cochrane, is celebrating his own 50^th anniversary – his first appearance at the Nationals in 1966. Angus, who until recently played Bb bass, has moved on to second baritone for the upcoming contest. In 1966 he played for fourth section “Ayrshire Yeomanry” which finished sixth at the Nationals held in Hammersmith Town Hall, London.

The band has had a busy summer diary with the usual mix of gala days, concerts and local events running alongside fund-raising for the trip south.

Chris Bradley took up the baton with the band in June and had a successful first outing at Land O’ Burns contest. The band was delighted to collect best second section band and best Ayrshire band, finishing sixth behind the five championship bands which entered the contest.

Solo horn player Emma McTaggart was thrilled to receive the award for best tenor horn – with the band looking forward to celebrating with her when she comes down from cloud nine!

Dunaskin Doon's Emma McTaggart took the award for best horn at the 2016 Land o'Burns Contest.

A spokeswoman for Dunaskin Doon said the band wishes the best of luck to the other Scottish bands taking part at the National Brass Band Championships in Cheltenham, which take place on September 17 and 18.