*
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    


Gregson

Gregson at 80 in Scotland

October 28 • Music by and chosen by the acclaimed composer will be performed at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland this evening.


Paul Mealor

Foden's to premiere new Paul Mealor work at leading festival

October 28 • Foden's will give the world premiere of 'Tranquil Abiding' at St Asaph Cathedral as part of the North Wales International Music Festival.


Harry Porthouse

Porthouse reprise at Leyland

October 28 • Harry Porthouse takes over the principal cornet seat at Leyland Band from Lewis Barton — following in his father's footsteps.


Tredeagr Band

New addition to Tredegar tuba team

October 28 • Edward Falloon, the principal tuba of the National Youth Orchestra joins the bass section at the Welsh Champion.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Amersham Band

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Thaxted Church

Saturday 25 October • haxted Parish Church. Watling St, Thaxted CM6 2PE


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band VE & VJ Day Remembrance Concert

Saturday 25 October • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Regent Hall Concerts - Paddington Brass

Friday 31 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Welwyn Garden City Band

October 28 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an exciting and varied Christmas season ahead. Due to an employment relocation, we have an immediate vacancy for a FRONT ROW CORNET player.


Lostock Hall Brass Band

October 27 • Lostock Hall Memorial Brass Band, North West 2nd Section seek applications for a vibrant, enthusiastic Musical Director to continue to develop and grow the band. With a great mix of youth and experience we are based just off M6 JCT 29 Near Preston


Olney Brass

October 27 • Currently seeking the following players to complete our line up: Solo Cornet, Soprano Cornet, Flugel Horn & Eb Bass. We are a friendly and ambitious, 2nd section L&SC area brass band, with a good mixture of concerts, fetes and contests throughout the year


Lt Col David Barringer MBE

BMus (Hons)
Conductor and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd