Under the spotlight: Whitburn
Saturday 26 November 2016
Whitburn Band is looking to retain its Scottish Open title.
LOOKING to defend its title is 2015 Scottish Open champion, the Whitburn Band.
The West Lothian band performs at a variety of prestigious engagements throughout the year but will be keen to ensure it rounds off 2016 in style when it takes to the stage in Perth Concert Hall on November 26 under the baton of Professor Nicholas Childs.
Principal players
History
Whitburn Band, the current Scottish Open champion, 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. The band has held the title 18 times in all.
Following the appointment of Major Peter Parkes in 1978, Whitburn dominated the Scottish brass band scene and became a regular prizewinner 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.
