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