Coalburn awards mark a year of dedication and growth

The Coalburn brass band family celebrated a year of dedication, growth and excellent playing at its annual awards evening – from the beginners all the way to the Silver band.

Special guests Carrie Boax, president of the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA), and John Boax, SBBA’s education officer, were both delighted to be a part of the celebratory occasion.

In the Beginners’ group, all received a certificate and medal for their hard work and growth as blossoming players:  Aleisha Ansell, Illithyia Martin-Barrera, Charlie Grey, Gabriel Hadley, Warren Noble, Isaac Patterson and Sophia Patterson.

Members of the Percussion Academy accepted their individual certificates and medals as well as receiving a copy of the Gold Award they won for their performance at the Youth Championships at the Scottish Festival of Brass in November.  Academy tutor Robbie Bremner awarded Gregor Naismith the Most Improved Player of the Year accolade.

Every member of the children’s Bronze Band received a copy of the Gold Award certificate from the Scottish Festival of Brass and four other awards were given out. The Children’s Choice Award for special recognition went to percussionist Hollie Reid and the Band Person of the Year, chosen by the tutors and helpers, was awarded to Megan Cowan.       

The Best Section of the Year, chosen by Bronze Band musical director David Fehilly, was awarded to the percussion team which included William Glassford, Gregor Naismith and Hollie Reid.

To conclude the Bronze Band’s awards, the George Blackwood Memorial Trophy for the Most Improved Player was awarded to Benjamin Angletti.

John Boax talked to the audience of players and family about the National Youth Brass Bands of Scotland (NYBBS) and what an amazing experience it is to be a part of the bands.

In the Intermediate Band awards, David Fehilly presented the Conductor’s Award to principal cornet Matthew Howarth. The Most Improved Player was percussionist Clare Symonds who also received the Players’ Player of the Year Award. Player of the Year was presented to principal euphonium Mel Haldane (pictured below with Carrie Boax and David Fehilly).  And the band’s Best Section of the Year went to the percussion section of Megan Cowan, Raymond McGaghey and Clare Symonds.

In the Silver Band awards, presented by MD Gareth Bowman, the Conductor’s Prize went to five individuals for their hard work, improved playing and dedication: Gary Allan, Anna Biggart, Marcie Boyle, Eilidh Court and Euan Roberts.

The Best Section award went to the euphoniums and baritones (pictured above with Carrie Boax and Gareth Bowman), including Ian Jamieson, Ross Abernethy, David Fehilly, Helena Dunsmore and Daniel Beadle. The Band Person of the Year, voted by band members, went deservingly to band secretary Daniel Beadle.  And the Player of the Year award was won by principal cornet Calum Blair (below with Gareth Bowman), who also received the Player’s Player of the Year award.

Bringing the evening to an end, Carrie Boax gave a few inspirational words about SBBA and brass banding as a whole before the vote of thanks was given by band president Alan Court.