Exchange Communications Whitburn Band has announced the appointment of professional conductor Ian Porthouse and resident conductor Lynda Nicholson, plus the addition of two players to its ranks.

Ian has agreed to take the band to the Scottish Championships and the Grand Shield in 2011.

Looking forward

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "Ian is one of the best conductors working with brass bands. Everyone associated with the band is looking forward to working with him as we aim to win the Scottish Championships and bounce straight back to the British Open."

Whitburn has a tremendous history and I’m looking forward to being involved in the next stage of their musical developmentIan Porthouse

Highest quality

Ian meanwhile added: "Whitburn has a tremendous history and I’m looking forward to being involved in the next stage of their musical development. Having worked with Lynda, I know that the standards she sets will be of great benefit to the band and also means the preparation before I arrive will be of the highest quality."

Lynda is equally enthusiastic about her appointment: "I'm very excited to be working with Ian and Whitburn," she commented. "The band has a very positive outlook, with a professional and determined management team, which can only bode well for the future."

Resident returns

Former resident conductor Jim Chamberlain has decided to return to playing and will resume his former position in the band on flugel horn.

"I'm delighted to be welcomed back as a player," he noted. "I'm working full out to ensure I'm playing at the standard required for the challenges ahead."

Line up complete

Completing the line-up is Rachel Neil – one of the rising stars in Scottish banding – who has joined on second horn.

The 19-year-old Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama student comes to Whitburn after successful stints with Kingdom Brass and Dunfermline Town.

Fantastic job

A band spokesman concluded: "Jim did a fantastic job as resident conductor and we are pleased to have him back as one of our team of fine soloists. Rachel, meanwhile, is already considered one of the leading horn players in Scotland."

Thanks

The band has taken the opportunity to the Edmond family — Hayley (flugel), Alan (horn) and Laura (baritone), who all left after the National Championships.

The spokesperson added: "The family have been excellent servants to the band over many years, with Hayley in particular delivering superb performances at the major contests this year."