Coalburn celebrates a successful year

A successful 2019 was celebrated by friends and family at Coalburn Silver Band’s annual awards night.

The 2020 Scottish Championships were a historic occasion for the Coalburn banding family as it was the first time in its 118-year history that it had two competing bands on stage at the Perth Concert Hall.

The Silver Band’s performance of Tom Davoren’s test piece Legacy consolidated its 1st section status for 2021. The results ceremony was made extra special for Alan Court, who was awarded a Special Recognition Award from SBBA for his 30 years services to the organisation as band president.

The Coalburn Intermediate band took the stage in Perth to make its contesting debut in the 4th section at the Scottish Championships. A confident performance of Christopher Bond’s Neverland was testament to our youth structures that we continue to develop and grow. No less than 16 players who played on stage had progressed from our Bronze Band and Percussion Academy.

Furthermore, the Intermediate Band members were proud to wear their new waistcoats which had been purchased through a £2000 grant from the South Lanarkshire Renewable Energy Fund.

At Coalburn’s awards ceremony, special mention was made of the Percussion Academy and their new tutor, Caitlin Monaghan, who performed at their second Scottish Youth Championships and participated in various engagements throughout the year.

The Bronze and Intermediate bands have continued their ongoing success and have seen the progress of the young musicians, welcoming several new players during 2019.

Coalburn has also maintained its partnership with South Lanarkshire Instrumental Services, launching an afterschool brass beginners’ group at Machanhill Primary School in Larkhall, run by a group of Silver Band members.

A full list of the awards presented to members of the Percussion Academy and Bronze, Intermediate and Silver Bands can be seen at http://www.coalburnsilverband.co.uk/coalburnawards2019.html