Kirky looks to the future with renewed confidence

The Kirkintilloch Band has completed a period of significant rebuilding with the appointment of BBC Symphony Orchestra co-principal trumpet player Hedley Benson as new musical director and the return of David Prentice as principal cornet.

These latest developments mark the end of the recovery phase following the crisis point of 2018 when the band faced possible closure. There followed much hard work by so many to ensure that the band has survived the last few years and the many challenges presented.  

The band is grateful everyone who has contributed during this difficult period and now looks forward to 2023 with confidence and a defined plan to ultimately return to the forefront of Scottish banding.

Band strengthening

The band rebuild started in 2022 with the return of Luke Williams and Bart Simonis on solo and 2nd trombone. This continued with a further return of Murdo Campbell on 2nd euphonium to support the earlier arrival of former Kirky and Whitburn solo euphonium Andy Robson. Alastair Boag on BBb bass became the next ex-player to return when he rejoined the band from Kirkintilloch Kelvin.

Erin McSporran subsequently arrived on soprano. Erin is a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama having studied trumpet for four years before her return to Scotland.

The start of 2023 has seen no let-up with the signing of Ross Mercer on Eb bass from Brass Sounds Inverclyde and a new baritone team in the shape of former solo euphonium Andy McLean on solo and ex-Kingdom and Newtongrange solo baritone Hilary Whitaker on 2nd. The percussion section has also been strengthened with the signing of Steven Povey.

And it’s not just on the stage that the band has strengthened following the return to the committee of former band manager Pat Murray from overseas adding significant experience and expertise to assist current band manager Allan Wardrope.

New principal cornet

David Prentice’s return marks a significant moment for the band. He was the band’s principal cornet throughout the majority of its 15-year tenure at the British Open giving many wonderful performances over that period.

David left the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1995 as a Masters graduate, having been awarded a silver medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians. His abilities were recognised in earning a place at the prestigious Tanglewood School of Music in Boston where he spent three months working alongside Boston Symphony Orchestra.  

After leaving the RSAMD David commenced his banding career with Whitburn Band, being appointed as principal cornet shortly after joining. He has also held the soprano cornet chair at CWS Glasgow, the principal cornet role for ten years with The Kirkintilloch Band and in 2012 joined Kingdom Brass on principal cornet until 2022. 

David has also been invited as guest principal cornet of Aarhus Brass Band Denmark to play at the Danish National Championships and was also due to perform as guest principal cornet with Brass Band Sachsen at the German National Championships prior to Covid.

David has competed with great distinction on many occasions at the highest levels of bandingon both principal cornet and soprano cornet, winning a National Championship with Kingdom Brass. He has recorded a number of successful CDs and performed at many high-profile concerts and radio broadcasts, including an invitation to the Palace of Holyrood House to perform for King Charles, at the time the Prince of Wales.  

He has also had a very busy freelance trumpet career playing in all positions with BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet.

David, currently a full-time brass instructor with East Dunbartonshire Council, commented: “I’m excited to be returning to the band and look forward to working with the cornet section with a view to repeating the successes we had in my previous tenure as principal cornet.”

Allan Wardrope added: “It’s a real coup to get Dave back to the band and we look forward to benefitting from his superb playing and the experience he passes on to the rest of the team.”

David’s return makes it a real family affair in the band as he joins wife Jane and son Ruaridh in the cornet section. Ruaridh is a real star for the future following in his dad’s footsteps progressing to the front row at Kirky in double quick time to match his achievements with NYBBS last year.

David’s return allows Les Wood to step back to the bumper-up seat which he occupied for so long before leading the band for the last few years.

David Prentice and Hedley Benson

New MD

Hedley Benson’s appointment as MD marks a new era for the band. The band has studied the success of various bands who have followed the model of a single conductor in overall charge of the band’s musical development and has been searching for the right candidate for this role.  

Allan Wardrope explained: “We are delighted to have Hedley take on this role with the band. Throughout our discussions we were so impressed with his drive and enthusiasm which, together with his undoubted musicianship, marks the beginning of an exciting new period for the band both on the contest and the concert stage.”

Hedley is from Pudsey, West Yorkshire. He began playing the cornet aged eight with the Hammond's Sauce Works junior band and went on to play for many other Yorkshire bands before moving to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music. Following on from this he completed a MMus qualification at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music.

Shortly after graduating Hedley achieved the position of principal trumpet with the Porto Symphony Orchestra where he spent five happy years before moving back to the UK to take up the position of principal trumpet with Northern Ballet.

In 2008 Hedley was appointed co-principal trumpet with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He is a busy freelancer, most recently playing guest principal with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Fairey Band.

He is a keen chamber musician, soloist and advocate of brass bands. When not involved in music Hedley can be found standing in the middle of a river fly fishing, running or trying to keep up with his two young children!

Hedley said: “I'm delighted to renew my association with The Kirkintilloch Band. After playing principal cornet with the band many years ago it's great to join this thriving, energetic outfit at the helm as MD.”

The band has arranged a busy 2023 with a full diary of concerts and contests and is currently working towards the Scottish Championships in March before heading to Blackpool for the Spring Festival.