Gilchrist provides milestone moment for Whitburn

The long term strategy of developing playing talent from the very first notes is has paid off in brass for Whitburn with the signing of 19 year old Ross Gilchrist

Ross Gilchrist started out as a 9 year old in the Whitburn Band organisation

Wednesday, 05 February 2025

Whitburn's signing of talented young cornet player Ross Gilchrist is being hailed as a 'milestone moment' for the Scottish band.

First brass player

Ross in the first brass player to make his way up through the band's acclaimed Youth Development Pathway which began in 2013.

It was designed to secure a long term foundation of sustainable player development — from those blowing their very first notes to eventually performing at Elite level.

Progress through the Whitburn Wee Band, or Whitburn Youth Band is followed through Whitburn Heartlands Band, other local bands in the local area, and then, eventually to Whitburn Band.

Perc and now brass

Two talented percussionists have already made the journey, with Ryan Bradley and Amy Gray now enjoying fulfilling careers as professional musicians.

Ross, 19, started playing at school and joined Whitburn Youth Band on cornet aged 9.

He has since progressed through Whitburn Heartlands and West Lothian Schools Brass Band, serving as principal cornet in both. In 2023, he joined Bathgate Band on solo cornet and is now studying music the University of Glasgow. He has also been a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland for the past nine years.

This is a real milestone moment and its importance to the band should not be overlooked. It is a massive credit to Ross that he returns to us as a senior band memberWhitburn Band

Excited

Ross said: "I'm very excited to be part of Whitburn Band, and to be back in the organisation that I joined nearly 10 years ago."

Caroline Farren, MD of Whitburn's development bands, added: "We're delighted to welcome Ross back after keeping in close contact during his time at Bathgate Band.

He has grown in confidence during his time there and is an absolute asset to our cornet section."

Milestone

Whitburn Band Chairman, Charlie Farren added: "This is a real milestone moment and its importance to the band should not be overlooked. It is a massive credit to Ross that he returns to us as a senior band member.

We are delighted in welcoming him back and wish him every success."

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