Under the spotlight: Mactaggart Scott Loanhead

Mactaggart Scott Loanhead Band with Musical Director, Kenny Letham.

THE Mactaggart Scott Loanhead Band forms part of the line-up at the 2016 Band Supplies Scottish Challenge.

Led by Musical Director Kenny Letham, the third section band will be aiming to succeed at the event in Kilmarnock on November 19.

Principal players

History

Mactaggart Scott Loanhead Band traces its roots back to Polton Mills Band, winners of the Scottish Championships in 1904.

The band became the Loanhead ex-service and burgh band which disbanded prior to WW2.

The band in its present incarnation was formed in 1943 when a concert party from the local engineering works, MacTaggart Scott and Company was rehearsing in the town hall. They came across the stored instruments and approached the Town Council with a view to forming a 'works band'. Thus, the present band was born and known for many years as Mactaggart Scott Works Band. 

During the 1950s and 1960s approximately half the members were employees of the company and the band still has an employee of the company performing. Band members now travel from all over the Lothians and beyond.

The band set up Loanhead Brass Roots, its junior band in 2002 under the baton of its then MD Alan Fernie. Alan continues to conduct the junior bands and many current senior band members have come through the youth system.

Having lost a number of key players in the summer of 2014, the band was very pleased to come second in the fourth section of the Scottish Championships in March 2015 under former MD Bobby Weir who was with the band until May of that year.

MacTaggart Scott Loanhead came tenth in the National Finals in September 2015 and continues to compete in the third section.

The band is first and foremost an important part of the local community and an organisation which works with young players to encourage them to make music and develop their talents. It is grateful to receive continuing support from Mactaggart Scott Loanhead Ltd. The band is in the process of planning a major concert on May 6, 2017 in the Brunton Theatre to celebrate the life and contribution to both our senior and junior bands of its late chairman Robin Henderson, who sadly lost his battle with cancer earlier this year.

Musical Director Kenny Letham began playing trombone at the age of 12 in his local brass band in Lochgelly in Fife. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama for five years and while there became a regular freelance performer on trombone, bass trumpet and euphonium.

On completing his studies he took up a posts with Royal Carribean Cruise Lines as a trombonist and musical director and subsequently held a similar position with P&O Cruise lines.

In 2006, Kenny returned to Scotland and again became a freelance performer, teacher, arranger and conductor. He co-founded the Aurical ensemble chamber orchestra in 2006 and continues to manage and perform with this group. He runs a swing band called Berkley Square and in addition to his classical freelancing does a large amount of commercial performance work and is a frequent session musician.

In addition to Mactaggart Scott Loanhead Band, he conducts a number of different wind, brass and orchestral ensembles and is Brass section coach for WOSIS Wind Ensemble, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the National Youth Wind Ensemble of Scotland.