*
banner

Whitburn to help Leadhills Blaze Away

The Scottish Champion will be linking up with the Leadhills Silver Band to keep inspiring their desire to be part of the Scottish banding movement.

Leadhills
  The Leadhills Silver Band first made a mark with its playing back in 1907

The Leadhills Silver Band will be teaming up with Scottish Champion Whitburn later this month as they look forward to making a return to the Scottish Championship in Perth in March.

Leadhills is the second highest village in Scotland, and can boast also having arguably the highest bandroom in the country — around 1,460 feet above sea level.

Community organisation

Originally formed over 100 years ago, the band was rejuvenated in 2010 and is now a wonderful community organisation that provides a musical outlet for over 25 players from the ages of 9 to over 70.

In 2018 they worked with composer Alan Fernie to commemorate the end of the First World War — linking directly with their community through memory sharing workshops, lectures poetry and art — as well as commissioning a work from the composer entitled 'Music for Distant Hills'.

Now they are looking forward to working with members of Whitburn on 16th February, who will provide workshop tuition throughout the day before joining together for a massed bands concert at the local Crawfordjohn Village Hall (7.30pm).

Blaze Away

Not only will Leadhills perform 'Music for Distant Hills', but Whitburn will showcase their talents ahead of their Scottish Championship title defence. The massed bands will also get together for what promises to be a rousing rendition of 'Blaze Away'.

Band spokesperson Christine Izzard told 4BR: "We are thrilled to be welcoming Whitburn and we are sure everyone will have a great day of tuition and workshop involvement.

Whitburn's tuba star Robert Fraser is a regular visitor as he works in local schools and he will conduct the band in our performance. Our mini band is also sure to be inspired by the Whitburn players."

We are thrilled to be welcoming Whitburn and we are sure everyone will have a great day of tuition and workshop involvementChristine Izzard

Non competitive return

Christine also revealed that Leadhills will also be making a return to the Scottish Championship this year to perform in the non-competitive 4BR Section.

"The 4BR Section is a great idea by the Scottish Brass Band Association, and offers bands such as ourselves the opportunity to experience the day and gain inspiration from others.

We don't wish to compete but we do want to be a part of the event — so this is great.

This will be our third time in Perth and we are thrilled that Alan Fernie will lead us playing 'Music for Distant Hills'."

Find out more:

To find out more about the concert contact: leadhillssilverband@hotmail.com

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Bandsafe

BBE BOPA renewed by Department of Education

July 5 • New safeguarding measures have come into place with BBE's BOPA renewed to give bands essential help.


Hands

Blissful appointment at Carlton Brass

July 5 • Matt Ludford-King has been appointed as the new MD at Carlton Brass as they look towards their Cheltenham National Finals appearance.


Smith and Grezzy

Smith & Grezzy: Big Chat podcast

July 5 • The latest episode is entitled 'Entertainment Post Bag and Talking with Dinosaurs'...


roal

Royal seal of approval for Scottish banding

July 5 • Scottish banding has been playing its part in welcoming the royals on their latest visit to the nation.


Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Concert Brass Poynton

July 4 • Concert Brass Poynton: No Contesting - Not a learners Band. Rehearse on Wednesday Evenings between 8.00 to 10.00pm (short comfort break). We seek a front row cornet and a Tenor Horn and A Tenor Trombone and Bass Trom too..


Ocean Brass

July 4 • Ocean Brass are inviting applications for a kit player, as we prepare for an exciting schedule of concerts and contests in the second section through 2025 and beyond! We rehearse Thursdays 8pm-10pm, Banister Park Bowls Club, Southampton, SO50 9HT


Haverhill Silver Band

July 3 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a PRINCIPAL CORNET. This is a superb opportunity to lead East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Phillip Littlemore

GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd