The Whitburn Band has welcomed four new players as they look ahead to their 150th anniversary year in 2020.
Signings
Douglas Couchman (top left) returns from New Zealand on solo cornet, where he will be joined by Calum Tonner (top right). They are joined by Robyn Anderson who comes in on second trombone with Tim Burns on second horn.
Douglas spent the past year playing with Nelson City Brass in New Zealand, where he helped them win the 2019 National Championship Section B title and picked up the 'Best Principal Cornet' award.
Meanwhile, Calum has performed in principal chairs with Whitburn, Co-op Funeralcare and Kirkintilloch over the past decade whilst also performing as a freelance trumpeter most recently enjoying playing around the world on cruise ships.
Tim (bottom right) come to the band on a permanent basis having 'guested' with them on several occasions in 2019. He has gained a great deal of experience with the likes of BT, Point of Ayr, Marple and Newtongrange.
Sought after
The band is also excited at attracting one of Scotland's most sought after young players in Robyn Anderson, as their spokesperson added.
"Robyn is principal trombone of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland and in her first year at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland studying performance.
She joins from Coalburn, and we are delighted that she will also perform with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland later this year."
This will be a very busy year for the band on the contest and concert stage as we celebrate our 150th anniversary and we hope to make it a very successful oneWhitburn Chairman, Charlie Farren
Thanks
The band also thanked trombonist Adam Dougherty, who has left to focus on his musical studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Euan Meikle, who takes a step back from the cornet section as he takes up his new job with Yamaha UK.
Charlie Farren, Whitburn Band Chairman, added: "We thank Adam and Euan for their great contributions and we are delighted to be able to announce these signings.
This will be a very busy year for the band on the contest and concert stage as we celebrate our 150th anniversary and we hope to make it a very successful one."
