Connecting during the Corona crisis – Stranraer Brass

In our continuing series on how Scottish bands are staying connected during the Coronavirus pandemic, Stranraer Brass tell their story:

Stranraer Brass celebrated its 40th birthday in 2013. The band now boasts a full complement of members of all ages as well as a having a junior band, set up in 2016, of 31 players. Both groups meet on Monday evenings in our new band hall.

The band has twice appeared at the national finals in London and is once again making steady progress in the 4th Section. At Perth in March, with 11 school-age players (including six cornets) in the band, it came a creditable fourth. Despite the distance and the costs involved in national competition, both bands take part regularly.

At our three main concerts each year, boosted by our ever increasing Friends group, growing audiences bear testimony to the noticeable progress the band is making on the entertainment front.

Much of the credit for all of this is due to the skill and enthusiasm of our MD, Angela Miller. Rehearsals are an ideal combination of hard work and great fun – we are already working at home on our next concert.

We send all our fellow bands folk our best wishes for a speedy return to happier times. Keep safe!

• Let us know about your band. Tell us about some of your successes, when you were founded, where and when you rehearse (when things are back to normal), and how your members are coping during the Coronavirus emergency situation.

Just send a couple of photos and a short write-up to Nigel Martin at sbbapr@gmail.com