Under the spotlight: Coalburn Silver

Coalburn Silver Band on stage.

HOPING to impress at the 2016 Band Supplies Scottish Challenge is Coalburn Silver Band and its Musical Director, Gareth Bowman.

The second section Scottish champion has enjoyed strong showings in previous incarnations of the event and will be hoping to rekindle the love affair with the contest in Kilmarnock on November 19.

Principal players

History

Coalburn Silver Band was formed in 1902 and has a long tradition of making music in the local community and beyond.

The band has a full diary throughout the year with various concert engagements, community events and a contesting programme.

The Coalburn Bronze Band, Coalburn Intermediate Band and the Coalburn Percussion Academy are a key part of the organisation which is focused on musical education and performance. The organisation warmly welcomes anyone with an interest to come along to any rehearsals or performances.

More information about the Coalburn bands and the percussion academy is available by logging on to www.coalburnsilverband.co.uk or the Coalburn Silver Band Facebook page.

Musical Director Gareth Bowman was born in Glasgow. He began playing trombone and piano at Clydebank High School and soon joined Clydebank Burgh Band. 

He went on to study music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, graduating in 2003 to become a music teacher. In 2006 Gareth was appointed principal teacher of Music at Greenock Academy.

Gareth has worked with numerous ensembles and choirs and won the NABBC (Scotland) Conducting competition held at the RSAMD in 2009.

Gareth has worked with the Coalburn Silver Band since 2004 and has led the band through the most successful period in its history.