The Coalburn Band organisation recently got together before the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown restrictions came into force to enjoy their annual Awards Night presentations.

Successful year

2019 was another highly successful year, with the Percussion Academy performing at their second Scottish Youth Championships, the Bronze and Intermediate bands continuing their development and the Silver band coming runner-up in the Second Section at the Scottish Championship in Perth.

In addition, a dozen young players attended the National Youth Band of Scotland summer course whilst the band also hosted its second annual 'Coalburn's Got Talent' competition.

All this and their partnership with South Lanarkshire Instrumental services has seen an afterschool brass beginners group started with an excellent open day in January seeing a great response to interactive workshops with Helen Minshall.

Awards

There were plenty of awards to be presented with the Percussion Academy's 'Most Improved Player' going to George Anderson and the 'Most Improved Player' award claimed by Luke Howarth.

The Bronze Band awards saw the 'Best Section' go to Luke Howarth, Malcom Ormrod, Hannah Archibald, and Nathaniel Hadley, with the 'Band Person of the Year' presented to Iona Jarvis. Her enthusiasm and positive attitude was also noticed by her peers as they chose her as the 'Children's Choice Award' winner.

The Intermediate Band awards saw soprano player Drew Gupwell take the Most Improved Player' accolade, and solo trombone Marcie Boyle presented with the 'Players' Player of the Year' voted by band members.

Solo euphonium player Euan Court was voted 'Player of the Year' and the 'Best Section' award went to the horn team comprised of Alex Sheridan, Eilidh Court, Rory Hunter and Luke Howarth.

The 'Best Section' Silver Band award went to the horn team of Calum Miller, David Fehilly, Nicola Henderson, Helena Dunsmore and Jen Crockett, with the two special 'Conductor's Awards' presented by MD Gareth Bowman going to principal cornet, Euan Roberts and euphonium player Ross Abernethy.

The 'Band Person of the Year' went to Daniel Beadleand the prestigious 'Player of the Year' accolade was won by principal Eb tuba, Jack Archibald.

Special Recognition

There was also a 'Special Recognition Award' to the Bronze Band's baritone player Hannah Archibald (above) for her work as a Youth Ambassador for the 'Changing Faces Youth Action Group' in 2019.

In September Hannah represented the charity at the Scottish Parliament and was part of a team delivering workshops in schools.

Hannah has presented and contributed in Face Equality sessions addressing appearance related bullying which aim to promote inclusion and respect for those with visible differences.

In September Hannah represented the charity at the Scottish Parliament and was part of a team delivering workshops in schoolsCoalburn Band

Fantastic year

A spokesperson told 4BR: "2019 was a fantastic year for the organisation and we still have high hopes for 2020!

The Scottish Championships saw two bands from the organisation compete the first time in our 118 year history whilst we were all very proud of Alan Court, who was awarded a Special Recognition Award from the Scottish Brass Band Association for his 30 years of services to the organisation as Band President."

Photos from our awards night are courtesy of Archibald Photography.