history
__
Kilmarnock Concert Brass was formed, as Kilmarnock Youth Band, by conductor Andrew Keachie in April 1970. By 1974 the band had performed numerous concerts and were starting to make an impact on the contesting scene, culminating with being named Scottish 4th Section Champions that year. The following year, again, saw the band move from strength to strength after winning the 3rd Section in the Scottish Championships and going on to be placed 2nd in the National Championships of Great Britain.
Over the next few years the band competed in and won many more localised competitions before being crowned Scottish Band of the Year 1977-78 and also BBC Radio “Finale” winners. More success at competitions finally got the band named Champion Band of Scotland, the highest possible award in the Scottish brass band world, in 1979. This led to the bands first performance on BBC Television, when they took part in the BBC2 series “The Best of Brass”. Also not to forget the experience of playing in the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the National Brass Band Championships Final.
By the early 1980’s the band were celebrating their 10th anniversary, and whilst they were still competing and winning competitions all over Scotland - they were performing concerts with more well known performers including the James Shepherd Versatile Brass, Brighouse and Rastrick Band and the National Youth Brass band of Switzerland as well as performing their own concerts with local school choirs. Again the band took part in the BBC’s “Finale” again, this time though the series was broadcast on BBC TV, and although the band did not win this time they did make it to the finals. Another high point for the band was winning the Scotstar award as Scottish Band of the Year in 1983, and were the first brass band to receive this award. 1984 saw the band reach the final of BBC TV’s “Finale” for the second time!
Fast forward to 1990 and the band were celebrating their 20th year, and to mark the occasion the band performed a special concert where the guests were the Danish Tuba Quartet who were in Scotland at the time giving seminars and concerts. 1992 saw the band take part in the BBC Songs of Praise for Kilmarnock 400, to mark the 400th anniversary of the granting of burgh status to Kilmarnock. 1993 brought a very successful tour of Denmark and a joint concert in Kilmarnock with the Academy of Music of Seraing/Spa Concert Band from Belgium.
In 1995 the band celebrated it’s 25th Anniversary with special events and concerts, including a return to the venue of its first ever concert - Onthank Church. Kilmarnock Concert Brass were also very privileged to have the composer Peter Graham compose the piece “Fanfare and Prelude on Kilmarnock” in dedication.
1996 got of to an exciting start with the band winning the Scottish Championships 3rd Section and being runners-up in the National Championships finals in Cardiff. 1997 again the band won the 2nd Section and saw promotion to the 1st Section, although the following year the band were a disappointing 7th and returned to the 2nd Section in 1999.
2000 and onward brought good results after being placed 3rd in the 2nd Section two years running. In 2001 the band were honoured to have a special concert to celebrate the music of Goff Richards, with KCB playing no less than 12 pieces written or arranged by Goff, the guest that evening was of course the man himself who talked about his music and played some of his jazz trio arrangements.
2004 brought another highlight in the bands history, again they were placed 2nd in the Scottish Championships 2nd Section saw them invited to the National Brass Band Championships in Harrogate. For this competition the band were conducted by renown composer/arranger Ray Farr, ultimately the band were not successful this year but it was a rare experience to take part in such an event for some of the younger players in the band.
From this time on the band began to compete less due to declining numbers in band membership, although they managed to keep up their annual commitments such as summer and Christmas concerts. Eventually in 2009 after many disappointing results and band membership being at an all time low a decision had to be made whether to disband or to change Musical Director.
In August 2009 Craig Anderson was appointed the new Musical Director for Kilmarnock Concert Brass, bringing with him several of his pupils from Cumnock Academy. Craig has a very successful history of brass band conducting as well as being an accomplished performer in his own right, and already as 2010’s Scottish Championships has shown he has started the band back on the road to success.
After a 4 year hiatus where the band struggled to maintain membership, we ventured back into the world of competing, under the excellent direction of Scott Walker. That first year, we took to Perth Concert Hall stage as a 4th section non-competing band, then competed in the 4th section until March 2020 when we were awarded 2nd place at the Scottish Regionals, gaining promotion to the 3rd Section and and invite to attend the National Finals in Cheltenham. Due to the pandemic restrictions we were unable to attend the competition in Cheltenham, however the band kept active throughout lockdowns by rehearsing virtually, competing in virtual and live competitions and holding concerts when possible.
In March 2022 we took to the Perth Concert Hall stage once more, competing as a 3rd Section band playing 'Facets of Glass' by Gordon Langford. The band played extremely well and were awarded the title of 3rd Section Scottish Champions 2022, resulting in promotion to the 2nd Section and an invite to represent Scotland in the Kapitol National Brass Band Championship Finals in September 2022, which we are detemined to attend!
Kilmarnock Concert Brass was formed, as Kilmarnock Youth Band, by conductor Andrew Keachie in April 1970. By 1974 the band had performed numerous concerts and were starting to make an impact on the contesting scene, culminating with being named Scottish 4th Section Champions that year. The following year, again, saw the band move from strength to strength after winning the 3rd Section in the Scottish Championships and going on to be placed 2nd in the National Championships of Great Britain.
Over the next few years the band competed in and won many more localised competitions before being crowned Scottish Band of the Year 1977-78 and also BBC Radio “Finale” winners. More success at competitions finally got the band named Champion Band of Scotland, the highest possible award in the Scottish brass band world, in 1979. This led to the bands first performance on BBC Television, when they took part in the BBC2 series “The Best of Brass”. Also not to forget the experience of playing in the Royal Albert Hall, London, for the National Brass Band Championships Final.
By the early 1980’s the band were celebrating their 10th anniversary, and whilst they were still competing and winning competitions all over Scotland - they were performing concerts with more well known performers including the James Shepherd Versatile Brass, Brighouse and Rastrick Band and the National Youth Brass band of Switzerland as well as performing their own concerts with local school choirs. Again the band took part in the BBC’s “Finale” again, this time though the series was broadcast on BBC TV, and although the band did not win this time they did make it to the finals. Another high point for the band was winning the Scotstar award as Scottish Band of the Year in 1983, and were the first brass band to receive this award. 1984 saw the band reach the final of BBC TV’s “Finale” for the second time!
Fast forward to 1990 and the band were celebrating their 20th year, and to mark the occasion the band performed a special concert where the guests were the Danish Tuba Quartet who were in Scotland at the time giving seminars and concerts. 1992 saw the band take part in the BBC Songs of Praise for Kilmarnock 400, to mark the 400th anniversary of the granting of burgh status to Kilmarnock. 1993 brought a very successful tour of Denmark and a joint concert in Kilmarnock with the Academy of Music of Seraing/Spa Concert Band from Belgium.
In 1995 the band celebrated it’s 25th Anniversary with special events and concerts, including a return to the venue of its first ever concert - Onthank Church. Kilmarnock Concert Brass were also very privileged to have the composer Peter Graham compose the piece “Fanfare and Prelude on Kilmarnock” in dedication.
1996 got of to an exciting start with the band winning the Scottish Championships 3rd Section and being runners-up in the National Championships finals in Cardiff. 1997 again the band won the 2nd Section and saw promotion to the 1st Section, although the following year the band were a disappointing 7th and returned to the 2nd Section in 1999.
2000 and onward brought good results after being placed 3rd in the 2nd Section two years running. In 2001 the band were honoured to have a special concert to celebrate the music of Goff Richards, with KCB playing no less than 12 pieces written or arranged by Goff, the guest that evening was of course the man himself who talked about his music and played some of his jazz trio arrangements.
2004 brought another highlight in the bands history, again they were placed 2nd in the Scottish Championships 2nd Section saw them invited to the National Brass Band Championships in Harrogate. For this competition the band were conducted by renown composer/arranger Ray Farr, ultimately the band were not successful this year but it was a rare experience to take part in such an event for some of the younger players in the band.
From this time on the band began to compete less due to declining numbers in band membership, although they managed to keep up their annual commitments such as summer and Christmas concerts. Eventually in 2009 after many disappointing results and band membership being at an all time low a decision had to be made whether to disband or to change Musical Director.
In August 2009 Craig Anderson was appointed the new Musical Director for Kilmarnock Concert Brass, bringing with him several of his pupils from Cumnock Academy. Craig has a very successful history of brass band conducting as well as being an accomplished performer in his own right, and already as 2010’s Scottish Championships has shown he has started the band back on the road to success.
After a 4 year hiatus where the band struggled to maintain membership, we ventured back into the world of competing, under the excellent direction of Scott Walker. That first year, we took to Perth Concert Hall stage as a 4th section non-competing band, then competed in the 4th section until March 2020 when we were awarded 2nd place at the Scottish Regionals, gaining promotion to the 3rd Section and and invite to attend the National Finals in Cheltenham. Due to the pandemic restrictions we were unable to attend the competition in Cheltenham, however the band kept active throughout lockdowns by rehearsing virtually, competing in virtual and live competitions and holding concerts when possible.
In March 2022 we took to the Perth Concert Hall stage once more, competing as a 3rd Section band playing 'Facets of Glass' by Gordon Langford. The band played extremely well and were awarded the title of 3rd Section Scottish Champions 2022, resulting in promotion to the 2nd Section and an invite to represent Scotland in the Kapitol National Brass Band Championship Finals in September 2022, which we are detemined to attend!
