Horn star takes top accolade at Whitburn’s annual awards

Whitburn’s tenor horn star Andrew McMillan’s outstanding year ended on another high note as he was named the Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at the band’s annual awards.

Andrew (cover photo), who studies tenor horn at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, enjoyed his first full year on solo horn with the band in 2022 with fantastic performances at the Scottish, Scottish Open and National Championships, while also impressing on the concert stage.

Robert Fraser (pictured below with band chairman Charlie Farren) was named Bandsperson of the Year for the third time. He was recognised for his work as Whitburn’s librarian and archivist, alongside his playing role in the band’s bass section.

Robert’s work as an archivist came to the fore recently, with the opening of an exhibition about the band in the Whitburn Community Museum, which is in the new Whitburn Partnership Centre.

Robert’s work in this area will continue in the coming months with the publication of archive interviews with people associated with Whitburn Band on its YouTube and social channels.

Whitburn Heartlands Band, Whitburn Youth Band and Whitburn Wee Band also recognised their members at the annual awards.

Tenor horn player Tyler Clark was named Players’ Player of the Year for Heartlands, while Anne Kelly on flugel was named Bandsperson of the Year.

In Whitburn Youth Band, there were awards for cornet player Ross Gilchrist (Player of the Year), Amber Gourlay on flugel (Bandsperson) and trombonist Roxy Clark (Most Improved Player).  

The achievements of Whitburn Wee Band members were also recognised. Georgia, Erin, Eilidh, Logan, Dylan and Nathaniel received a certificate. Other members of the band will receive their certificates at a later date.