Kingdom Brass has announced three new signings to strengthen their ranks in the run up to the forthcoming Fife Charities Band Association contest next month, and the Scottish Open in November.

Baritone signing

Joining the band on solo baritone from Scottish Co-op is Lucy Forbes. Lucy was principal baritone with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland on their recent tour of Japan, and brings a wealth of experience at the top level from her years with Scottish Co-op.

Repiano

Joining Lucy at Kingdom is her sister, Stephanie Forbes. Formerly with Kirkintilloch and Scottish Co-op, Stephanie replaces former Scottish Solo Champion Lee Bathgate on repiano, with Lee moving back onto principal cornet after a spell in the back row while recovering from a serious mouth injury.

I'm looking forward to being re-acquainted with Kingdom Brass once again, and working with Craig Anderson in an Associate Conductor’s roleGavin Lindsay

Front row

Also moving to Kingdom on the front row is Gavin Lindsay. Probably best known for his many years on soprano with Scottish Co-op, Gavin has recently been playing on the front row with Whitburn.

Gavin replaces Randi Holm, who has returned home to Manger Musikklag after a spell studying in Edinburgh. Gavin will also double up as Associate Conductor, working alongside Musical Director Craig Anderson to prepare the band for forthcoming events.

Looking forward

Gavin was resident conductor with Kingdom in 2000-2001, and told 4BR: "I'm looking forward to being re-acquainted with Kingdom Brass once again, and working with Craig Anderson in an Associate Conductor’s role. The band has made significant advances in recent years and we intend to carry on this momentum in the future."

Great signings

Band Chairman William Sandell told 4BR: "Lucy and Stephanie are great signings for the band. They’re both young and hungry for success, exactly the type of player we want to be attracting to Kingdom. Gavin has huge amounts of experience at the very top level, and as Associate Conductor, he will be working closely with Craig Anderson to bring the best out of the band."

Close

William added: "We came so close to the Albert Hall this year with a 3rd place at the Scottish Championships, and regained the Carnegie Contest title. Add to that our players won all four of the Fife and Scottish solo and ensemble titles, and it’s been a very successful year for the band so far."

Kingdom have also just announced a tour of Germany for 2009 and have been working hard over the past eighteen months to set up the Kingdom Youth Band, which competed for the first time at the recent ‘Brass in the Park’ event.