Two wins, in two days, in two countries!
September 14, 2011

Exchange Communications Whitburn warmed up for the National Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall in London by winning two competitions in two days in two different countries.

The Scottish champion retained its Brass in the Park crown on September 10 with two high quality renditions of the march ‘Knight Templar’ and the Goff Richards arrangement of ‘Crimond’.

The band won the contest by three points over nearest challenger Unison Kinneil, while Chris Bradley – the band’s principal cornet player – picked up the prize for the Best Instrumentalist of the day.

The following day, Whitburn travelled down to Middlesbrough to compete in the Doctor Martin Wainstones Cup contest.

On this occasion, Whitburn performed ‘Knight Templar’ once again before Iain Fleming was the featured soloist in ‘Lark in the Clear Air’. The band’s test piece was ‘Music for Battle Creek’ by Philip Sparke.

Whitburn won overall by two points over local favourites and Grand Shield Champion, Reg Vardy.

The band was conducted at both events by Ian Porthouse.

  Exchange Communications Whitburn in winning form at Brass in the Park, with Principal Cornet player Chris Bradley picking up the prize for Best Instrumentalist
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Troon success for Whitburn
August 22, 2011
 
Three of Whitburn’s soloists were awarded with prizes at the recent Land O’Burns contest, where the band finished second overall.
 
In his first contest with Exchange Communications Whitburn since making the move to the soprano chair, Calum Tonner picked up the Best Soprano prize after his fantastic performance of the solo Live and Let Die from James Bond.
 
Scottish solo champion Iain Fleming picked up the prize for the Best Horn player of the day after his section was featured in a world premiere arrangement of Philip Wilby’s Wondrous Cross.
 
Chris Bradley, meanwhile, picked up the award for the Best Instrumentalist of the contest after leading the band through a fine performance, conducted by the band’s new musical director Anne Crookston, which was described by adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth as “outstanding”.
 
Other pieces featured were John Williams’ Olympic Spirit and Howard Snell’s fantastic arrangement of Wagner’s Entry of the Gods Into Valhalla.
 
Congratulations to all.

 
  Calum Tonner (left) and Iain Fleming are presented with their awards at the Land O'Burns contest
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Exchange Communications Whitburn perform to millions
August 8, 2011
 
Exchange Communications Whitburn Band recently performed to a television audience of millions at the Scotland vs Ireland international rugby match.
 
The band performed the national anthem of Ireland as both teams prepared for the Rugby World Cup. Scotland won the match 10-6.
 
The band has performed the away team’s national anthem at Scotland’s international rugby games in recent years, and was delighted to once again perform at Murrayfield for the Scottish Rugby Union.
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Calum and Rachel star at Nybbs
August 7, 2011
 
Two young stars of Exchange Communications Whitburn were named principal players at the recent National Youth Brass Band of Scotland course in St Andrews.
 
Calum Tonner (soprano) and Rachel Neil (tenor horn) lead their respective sections throughout the week’s course and gala concert, under the guidance of conductor Richard Evans and his collection of talented tutors.
 
Congratulations to both Calum and Rachel.
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Whitburn sign rising star of Scottish banding
May 11, 2011

Exchange Communications Whitburn has signed a rising star of Scottish banding and welcomed back two former players ahead of its challenge for the Grand Shield in Blackpool.

Calum Tonner, who performed in Carnoustie and District Youth’s victory at the National Youth Band Championships in Manchester last month and was a semi finalist in this year’s Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist competition, has joined the Scottish champions. He will play Flugel at the forthcoming contest.

In the past month, the band has also welcomed back Jim Chamberlain and Billy McKnight.

Jim took some time out of playing in the past year to address an embouchure change. During part of that period, he served as the band’s resident conductor while continuing his conducting career with Dalkeith and Monktonhall.

Jim has been one of the leading soloists for Whitburn for nearly ten years. Some of the many prizes he has won during this time include Best Soloist at the Scottish Open in 2007. He will play tutti solo cornet at the Grand Shield.

Percussionist Billy McKnight, meanwhile, rejoins Whitburn after a period away from banding. He has previously played with the Kirkintilloch Band.

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Michael Bach to conduct band at Nationals
March 28, 2011

Exchange Communications Whitburn Band is delighted to announce Michael Bach will conduct the band at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall in London later this year.

Michael is the musical director of Brass Band Bugermusik Luzern, who is the current Swiss Open champion. He is regarded as one of the rising stars of brass banding on the European continent.

Band President Dave Kinross commented: “Michael is known in the banding world for his musicianship, inspirational qualities and a will to win - these attributes worked for us at the Scottish Championships and will be essential for us as we continue our growth.”

Ian Porthouse, who conducted Whitburn to victory at the recent Scottish Championships, will continue his association with Whitburn and will conduct the band at the forthcoming Grand Shield contest in Blackpool.

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Exchange Communications Whitburn Band crowned Scottish Champions
March 1, 2011

Exchange Communications Whitburn Band has been crowned the new Scottish Champions.

Conducted by Ian Porthouse, the band delivered a fantastic performance of Paganini Variations at Perth Concert Hall at the weekend. Adjudicators Stan Lippeatt and Lieutenant Colonel Graham Jones said they were in no doubt who their winner was on the day.

Whitburn was awarded 193 points – one point ahead of defending champion Cooperative Funeralcare, conducted by Dr Nicholas Childs. The band will now represent Scotland at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall in London later this year, and has the right to represent the country at next year’s European Brass Band Championships in Rotterdam.

Everyone at Whitburn would like to congratulate Ian Porthouse on conducting the band to victory, to Lynda Nicholson who prepared the band so well and also won the Scottish Third Section with Brass Sounds Inverclyde, and to the band’s principal cornet player Chris Bradley who picked up the coveted Terris Medal for the third time in four years.

Special thanks also to Caron Robson, Nick Vermeiren and Janis Pusplatais for helping out the band at this competition.

Members of Exchange Communications Whitburn Band celebrate after winning the Scottish Brass Band Championships (left). Jim Smith (right picture, pictured left) presents the trophies to Exchange Communications Whitburn Band Secretary, John Fraser. Pictures courtesy of 4barsrest

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Two Whitburn players become new Scottish solo champions
February 24, 2011

Two horn players from Exchange Communications Whitburn Band are celebrating after they were victorious at the recent Besson Scottish Solo and Ensemble Championships.

Iain Fleming, the band’s solo horn player, has become the Scottish Solo Champion for the fourth time – 31 years after he first won the title. Iain also picked up the prize for Best Horn, Best Soloist over the age of 40 and second place in the slow melody contest, which was won by the band’s 19-year-old second horn player Rachel Neil.

Rachel also finished second to Iain in the ‘open’ solos and third in the youth solos, for players aged between 16 and 21. 53-year-old Iain – a former player with Fairey and Hammonds who is now a mature music student at Napier University in Edinburgh – has been the solo horn player with Whitburn for 26 years. He is also one of the organisers and founding members of NOBBBS – the National Old Boys Brass Band of Scotland who, to date, have raised over £2000 for a prostate cancer charity.

He commented: “It came as a real shock to win. I just turned up and gave it my best. I never expected to win as there are so many enthusiastic young players around these days.”

Rachel Neil, a student at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, was also delighted. She added: “I'm extremely happy with my results from the Scottish Solo Championships as I had great results across the board in all three contests. Obviously winning the Slow Melody was the highlight as I was up against some really great players and I still managed to do well. All in all - a successful weekend!”

The contests, which were adjudicated by tuba star Les Neish and trombonist Alistair Sinclair from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, were dominated by players from Whitburn. Third place in both the open and slow melody contests was awarded to Whitburn’s solo cornet player Susannah Downs, who also picked up the Best Cornet accolade for her efforts. To round off the prizes, Graham Fraser won the Best Tuba award for the fourth time, while Michael Fleming – Whitburn’s first horn player and Iain’s son – finished fourth in both contests.

Iain Fleming, the new Scottish solo champion, and Rachel Neil, the new Scottish slow melody champion. Rachel is pictured with judges Les Neish (left) and Alistair Sinclair.