Under the spotlight: Bo'ness and Carriden

Bo'ness and Carriden Band on stage in Perth Concert Hall.

LOOKING to impress at the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge is Bo'ness and Carriden Band with conductor, Charlie Farren.

With only days to go until the event in Kilmarnock's Grand Hall on November 19, it's time for the 2016 first section national finalist to go under the spotlight.

Principal players

History

Founded in 1858, Bo’ness and Carriden Band is one of Scotland's oldest and most famous brass bands. A founder member of the Scottish Amateur Brass Band Association in 1894. it was to become the first Scottish champion under proper registration rules drawn up by the SABBA held in Edinburgh at Waverley Market, where a reputed 800 supporters travelled by train from Bo’ness to cheer the band on to victory.

Moving into the 20^th century the band continued its success at various contests and again was Scottish Champion in 1903. The band along had to put things on hold during the First World War, however after the hostilities had ended the band returned to its normal ways with young lads learning to play in the young band before progressing into the senior band, a process still in place to this day - although the fairer sex have found their way into the ranks!

Bo’ness and Carriden started to be featured on BBC radio, the first transmission being on September 5, 1930. This allowed the band to be known throughout Great Britain and overseas. It was up to the most senior members to keep the band going during the outbreak of the Second World War. On its conclusion the band started to return to concert and contest success.

Tragedy was to strike the band on March 13, 1956 when fire destroyed the rehearsal facility, instruments, music and all of the historical artifacts but the generosity of the townspeople meant that within six weeks, £3000 pounds had been raised. The band purchased a new set of instruments, renting alternative facilities for a number of years.

The band set about building its very own brand new band hall and moved there in 1971. This seemed to set Bo'ness and Carriden on its way back and for the next 40 years plus, the band went from strength to strength, becoming Scottish Champion in 1977, representing Scotland at the National Championships in the Albert Hall being placed fifth the following year. Bo’ness And Carriden was Scotland’s representative at the very first European Championships and under the baton of the famous conductor Bryden J Thompson was placed fourth.

The 1980s and 1990s were fruitful times for the band, becoming Scottish Champions in 1995 exactly 100 years from its first win.

Musical Director Charlie Farren studied at Napier University, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow and Sheffield University, taught by some of the best players and conductors in the orchestral and brass band world.

As a player he has played all over Europe with both orchestras and brass bands. Charlie had many successes in his 14 years with the Co-op Funeralcare band in Glasgow and this has continued as a member of the Whitburn Band.

As a conductor, he learned the trade with Bathgate Band and St Ronans Band. He spent five years with the Broxburn and Livingston Band, gaining promotion to the championship section.

Charlie is now the resident conductor with the Bo'ness and Carriden Band and has worked with the band for almost two years. In that time the band has enjoyed some memorable contest successes and he guided the band to promotion at the 2016 Scottish Championships at the first time of asking.

As a tutor and trainer,  he has worked with many senior and youth bands throughout the country, and has been a member of the NYBBS tutorial staff since 2007, which he thoroughly enjoys. By day, Charlie is a brass instructor for East Lothian Council.