Evelyn started playing at the age of 10 with Paisley Youth Silver Band. She played principal euphonium with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland for four years and studied euphonium with Tony Swainson at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

She joined Whitburn in 1987 on 2nd baritone and has since played in every chair in the section. Evelyn was the first female to win the Scottish Solo Championship in 1996, repeating the success in 1998. Evelyn has also won numerous solo awards over the years, including the Best Instrumentalist at the Scottish Open in 2008.

Principal Euphonium - Evelyn Bradley

Principal Baritone - Anne Crookston

Anne was educated in Our Lady’s High School, Motherwell from 1977 to 1983. She then graduated with a B. Mus (Hons) from Glasgow University in 1988. Her musical experience is wide-ranging, having been involved in choirs, brass bands, orchestras and wind bands throughout her career.

Her earliest musical training was on tenor horn, moving to baritone at the age of 14. At the same time, the school music department was given an oboe and Anne was the lucky pupil to have the first chance to play it. She studied oboe with Hughina Naylor and later with Judith Herd and began playing piano at that time.

Whilst studying at Glasgow University, Anne began conducting the University brass ensemble and wind band. She was later given the chance to conduct the University orchestra.

Anne’s banding career began in Newmains Band in 1979. She moved to the CWS Glasgow band in 1985 and success followed shortly, when the band became the first Scottish band to lift the National Championship title in 1990. She moved to the Whitburn Band and remained a member until October 2010 when she left to pursue a career in conducting.

Following a short spell conducting Kingdom Brass, Anne was appointed musical director of Whitburn in late July 2011.

She is currently Head of Performance and Design Faculty at St Margaret's Academy in Livingston.

Second Baritone - Stewart Brynes

Stewart started playing on his 8th birthday and joined Whitburn Junior Band on cornet soon after.

He moved to Bathgate and won the 2001 National Mineworkers 1st Section Championships. He joined Whitburn in 2002, moving to percussion in November 2006, then baritone in 2011.

Stewart is a former member of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, where he was Student of the Year in 2004.

Stewart was named Whitburn’s Bandsman of the Year in 2006.