The Whitburn Band has announced the appointment of Prof Nicholas Childs as their new Music Advisor and Professional Conductor.

The Black Dyke Director of Music will advise across all five ensembles in the Whitburn ‘player pathway system’, as well as conduct the band at events at which there are no conflict with his schedule at the 2014 ‘Double’ champions.

Important decisions

Whitburn Band President David Kinross told 4BR: “Over the past few years, Whitburn has made considerable progress in structuring and planning for the long-term development of the organisation, and we have reached a point where we have to make important decisions on our future direction.

Our player pathway system is already starting to bear fruit and we will shortly have some of the players from the highly successful Whitburn Youth Band pushing for seats in the main band.

With this in mind, we wanted someone who would be able to work to improve quality right across the organisation, and Prof Childs is the ideal choice.”

Second time

This is the second time that Whitburn has turned to Queensbury for musical direction, having worked with Major Peter Parkes between 1979 and 1998, winning eight Scottish titles in the process.

New relationship

David Kinross continued: “’The Major’ is a highly-revered figure in Whitburn’s history and his two decades with us made an enormous impact.

Prof Childs’ innovative work with Black Dyke and the Yorkshire Youth Band will undoubtedly bring a new dimension to our organisation, and we are very confident that this new relationship will build upon the other excellent work that has gone on in Whitburn in the past. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”

Wonderful set up

Prof Childs is also looking forward to starting work with the new Scottish Open Champion.

He told 4BR: “Whitburn has a wonderful set up, through the youth to the senior band.

I look forward to enhancing the environment and advising when appropriate, and of course, working with the band on the contest stage.”

We’ve been fortunate to work with some great conductors over the past few years and having an opportunity to work with Prof Childs is a massive boost as we look forward to 2015

Real high

Whitburn Band Manager Charlie Farren added: “The players are on a real high after the convincing winning performance at the Scottish Open under Michael Fowles.

We’ve been fortunate to work with some great conductors over the past few years and having an opportunity to work with Prof Childs is a massive boost as we look forward to 2015.”

It was announced that the Black Dyke MD will direct Whitburn’s bid to capture an 18th Scottish Championship title in Perth in March next year.