Kingdom Brass, conducted by Andrew Duncan, retained the Fife Charities Open Contest title, the band's third contest win of the year.

Playing the testpiece 'Partita', by Philip Sparke, the band won the Open Contest ahead of Bon Accord, with Johnstone in third place and Unison Kinneil fourth.

Principal Cornet with Kingdom Brass, Harmen Vanhoorne, also won the prize for 'best cornet'.

added 9th October 2011

Kingdom Brass are happy to announce two new roles within the Youth Initiative.

The first appointment is for a brand new role, 'Head of New Start Development'. Taking up that role will be Sarah Findlay, who currently plays flugel horn with the band.

The second appointment is Ken Blackwood who is our new Head Tutor.

Sarah will be responsible for working alongside our existing tutors to guide brand new players through their initial development, working with them until they reach a standard to step up into our existing '12 and under' band.

Ken will work with all our tutors to oversee the development of all the players in our current '12 and under' and '14 and under' bands, as well as conducting both bands at various events throughout the year.

added 26th September 2011

The testpieces for the 2012 Scottish Championships have been announced:

Championship Section - Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Derek Bourgeois)

Section 1 - Mountain Views (Bertrand Moren)

Section 2 - Cross Patonce (Goff Richards)

Section 3 - Olympus (Philip Harper)

Section 4 - English Folk Song Suite (Ralph Vaughan Williams)

added 20th September 2011

Kingdom Brass are seeking a new Head Tutor to lead the band's youth development programme.

Background

The KBYI was set up in January 2007 with the aim of delivering a high quality youth development programme covering the core area for Kingdom Brass (Cowdenbeath and Kelty). Since then the scheme has gradually grown and currently comprises a full youth band, plus a large learners group.

All of the children in the learners group receive tuition from our pool of dedicated tutors, while the children in our youth bands either receive tuition from our tutors, or via local peripatetic tutors at school.

In September 2011 we will be restructuring our youth setup, dividing the group into two youth bands (at "14 and under" and "12 and under" age groups). Throughout 2012 and beyond we envisage a continuous cycle of new recruitment, with children then moving into various bands depending on their age and ability. By 2014 we plan to have our third youth band in place, covering the "16 and under" age group (all age groups based on SBBA's current age banding).

Complementing the brass tuition is our Percussion Academy, under its own Head Tutor, Lynsey Paterson.

The KBYI will be supporting our second senior band, Kingdom Brass 'B', which launches in October 2011.

Roles & Responsibilities

Overseeing the development of each child involved with the KBYI

Delivering one to one and group tuition alongside existing tutors

Conducting the Kingdom Brass Preparatory Band (12 and under) each Tuesday night

Conducting the Kingdom Brass Novice Band (14 and under) on an ad hoc basis

Conducting both bands at various competitions and concerts

Preparing solos and ensemble performances when required

Responsible for all music choices (band, solo and ensemble)

Assisting existing tutors preparing children for graded exams

Assisting with recruitment through local primary schools

Liaising with local peripatetic teachers on children's progress

Attend and assist at various tuition workshops organised throughout the year

Assist with the organising of and attend our annual residential course

Payment for this role will follow MU rates, which is a requirement from our main funding partner, Creative Scotland.

For more information, please email secretary@kingdombrass.org.uk.

added 5th September 2011

Kingdom Brass has won the 2011 Land O'Burns Contest.

From the 4barsrest site:

Kingdom Brass took another step towards fulflling their ambitous plans to become the leading competitive force in Scottish banding at the Land O'Burns Contest on the weekend.

Conducted by newly appointed Scottish Development Officer Andy Duncan, they secured their first Troon title and £2,500 of prize money with a 20-minute entertainment programme described by adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth as containing, "...awesome playing."

It gave the Fife band a clear two-point winning margin over current Scottish champion and six time winner Exchange Communications Whitburn, who had to be content with the £1,000 runner up prize for the second successive year.

Fishburn upheld English honour as they travelled from the North East under Huw Thomas to claim the £500 on offer for coming third, whilst there was delight for Tullis Russell Mills, as the Second Section outfit conducted by Martyn Ramsay beat Scottish Championship podium finishers Lochgelly as well as First Section Coalburn to claim fourth place and boost their coffers by £700.

There was to be no repeat victory for Johnstone however, as the First Section reigning champion slumped to last place in the 11 band field.

In contrast there was nothing but celebratory joy for Kingdom, just a week after they secured a £30,000 Youth Music Initiative grant to help in the next phase of their long term youth development project, which they hope will see them develop into Scotland's leading banding organisation.

Spokesperson, John Todd told 4BR that the victory was another solid indicator of Kingdom's growing strength. "We are continuing to build for the future," he said. "This win comes on the back of victory at the Carnegie Invitation contest and reaching the final of the West Lothian Challenge, so our contesting progression is mirroring our long term aims and objectives for the organisation as a whole."

Boosted by the signings of Scottish National Opera trombonist Davur Magnusson and British Open Solo Champion, Harmen Vanhoorne from Brass Band Buizingen, Kingdom opened with the high tempo 'Coconut Champagne', featuring the European duo as well as the talents of tuba player Andrew Whitaker and screaming trumpeter Gavin Spowart.

The Belgian cornet star then delivered a stunning performance of 'Fortune's Fool' to take the Philip McCann 'Best Principal Cornet' Award, before the band changed stylistic tack with Mark Freeh's arrangement of 'Tonight', described by the adjudicator as, '...a great exercise in laid back playing...'

Kingdom rounded off with the 'Dundonnell' finale from 'Hymn of the Highlands' to take home the Knoweview Nursing Home Trophy as well as individual awards for best trombone, principal cornet, basses and percussion.

After the results Kevin Wadsworth took time to congratulate the winners, adding that he would have liked to been able to have seen their performance unfold before his eyes such was the 'awesome playing' that was clearly appreciated by a thoroughly entertained audience at Troon Concert Hall.

The victory celebrations went on long into the night at the Kingdom bandroom as the band let their hair down after an intensive period of rehearsal, contests and concerts, as John Todd explained.

"It's been a very busy time for the band. This week Harmen has been teaching the children as part of our Youth Initiative, whilst Davur was our guest soloist at our recent annual concert. The win has rounded off a great few weeks in all senses."

added 21st August 2011

Kingdom's Annual Concert for 2011 has been hailed as a huge success, with a sell out audience at the Rothes Halls enjoying an evening of great entertainment from the Fife Champions.

The guest soloist for the evening, the brilliant Faroese trombonist Davur Mugnessen, wowed the audience with his solo spots during the evening.

Also appearing at the concert were the Kingdom Brass Youth Band, conducted by Anne Crookston.

The concert also featured the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra, who performed several jazz numbers as well as some collaboration pieces with the Kingdom Youth Band.

The evening was rounded off with a 'massed bands' performance of 'Loch Lomond', featuring over 100 musicians on the stage.

added 13th August 2011

The Kingdom Brass Youth Initiative has been awarded funding from Creative Scotland, via the Youth Music Initiative, towards the next phase of the band's youth development.

The full story from 4barsrest:

Kingdom Brass is celebrating a £30,000 funding award from Creative Scotland.

The Fife based organisation has been successful in their application for a Youth Music Initiative grant, to help them in their next phase of their ambitious £250,000 youth development project.

The project seeks to cover all aspects of Kingdom's youth work up to 2013, allowing the organisation to expand their youth programme into other local areas as well as complete the organised structure of their of Development, Youth, 'B' and 'A' Bands.

Kingdom spokesperson John Todd told 4BR: "This of course comes right on the back of our recent award of £8,000 for the Percussion Academy, so it has been a fantastic few weeks for Kingdom, with us investing heavily for a long and successful future."

added 11th August 2011

Kingdom Brass have been assisting the current British Open Champions, Tredegar, with their youth development project.

The full story from 4barsrest:

The Scottish Brass Band Association is delighted at the first Welsh responses to its ideas and initiatives.

Just a few days before he flies off to start a new career in Australia, the Scottish Brass Band Association's Development Officer, Alan Edmond enjoyed a visit to the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Wrexham.

Joined by John Todd of Kingdom Brass, the Scots were guests of Tredegar Band, following the news that the British Open champion is to become the first band outside Scotland to adopt SBBA's innovative youth development initiative.

Alan and John took the opportunity not just to enjoy the unique musical atmosphere of the televised brass band competitions, but to also meet a number of leading conductors, players and administrators to find out how they wish to move Welsh banding forward over coming years.

Alan told 4BR: "We had a wonderful time thanks to the hospitality shown by Tredegar, but also managed to make important future contacts too. We have been impressed by the desire of numerous people who wish to provide Wales with a national structure that will guarantee a vibrant future at all levels of banding."

Alan and John also met up with Pedr Roberts, who has been instrumental in trying to gain a consensus for a progressive national organisation in Welsh banding.

He told 4BR: "All Welsh Associations are in favour of a National body and are looking for it to go ahead. Excellent progress has been made and we are seeking to make further progress at our next meeting in September."

Meanwhile, Tredegar also hope to make further progress in their desire to spearhead their far reaching youth development programme.

Band Secretary Mark Winstone told 4BR: "We have been able to readily identify with the programmes that have been put in place with organisations such as Kingdom Brass.

To see the outstanding results they have achieved over recent years is a real inspiration. It has shown that we can work together with other like minded bands and organisations to provide South Wales with a vibrant community based youth banding culture once more."

Kingdom's John Todd was delighted that the British Open champion would be following a Kingdom Brass blueprint.

"To have a band such as Tredegar be inspired by what we have achieved at Kingdom goes to show just how important the SBBA led initiatives tailored to meet individual bands needs has been.

This can only be good news for Wales and Welsh banding, especially as other notable bands we met seemed very supportive of the ideas we are putting forward."

added 4th August 2011

Kingdom Brass have just been awarded funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to assist with expanding the Kingdom Percussion Academy.

The Academy currently has 10 young percussionists receiving weekly lessons from Percussion Tutor Lynsey Paterson. This funding will assist with the purchase of new tuned equipment, with the band ordering a new marimba, xylophone, vibraphone and glockenspiel. The new equipment will allow the Academy to expand to 20 young players.

Assisting Lynsey will be Greta Hoggan, who will start tutoring the percussionists on the tuned instruments.

added 22nd July 2011

From the official press release:

Kingdom Brass are set to expand in the coming months, with the launch of their new 'B' band.

As part of a 5-year development plan, the formation of this new senior band in the Kingdom of Fife will be the final piece in Kingdom's organisational jigsaw, as band Secretary John Todd explained:

"In 2008 we had just launched our youth development programme, and knew that success across all parts of our organisation depended on setting definite goals for the future. We created a 5-year plan, covering 2008 to 2012, with a series of achievable milestones.

By 2009, we had our first full youth band in place. In 2010, we set up our Percussion Academy, initially with 10 children but set to expand soon to 20 percussionists. Our target for 2011 was the formation of our second youth band, which we're just finalising now with a fresh intake of 25 players from our local schools.

We knew that the step between our youth and senior bands was huge, so the formation of a 'B' band to sit inbetween the two was our target for 2012. The second half of this year will be dedicated to recruiting and developing that band until it's ready to contest."

Kingdom has been one of the busiest bands in the country this year, with appearances at the Scottish and European Championships, as well as the Grand Shield already under their belt. Domestic success has also come through retaining the Carnegie Invitation Contest title in April and a win over rivals Whitburn in the West Lothian Festival of Brass recently. John continued:

"This year has been a bit hectic. By the end of it, we'll have competed at nine contests, performed a few high profile concerts, recorded a CD and launched a new youth and senior band. The Kingdom Organisation will be made up of about 125 players once we add in this new senior band, so the next project might well be new rehearsal facilities.

We're now looking for committed players who want to be part of a successful organisation. Opportunities will exist to work closely with our younger players as they take their first steps into a senior band. It's going to be an exciting new venture for everyone involved."

Kingdom are now looking to recruit players on all instruments for their new 'B' band.

Kingdom Brass has won the first semi final of the West Lothian Festival of Brass.

Conducted by Andy Duncan, Kingdom pipped current Scottish Champions, Whitburn, to a place in the final on June 26th.

Adjudicator Stan Lippeatt stated in his on stage comments that it had been remarkably close between Kingdom and Whitburn technically, but Kingdom had won through on pure entertainment value.

Kingdom's programme consisted of 'When Kingdom Comes', 'All By Myself' (featuring solo trombone Helen Douthwaite), 'West Lothian Celebration March' (the new commission by Paul Drury), 'Elegy from A Downland Suite', 'Money, Money', 'Coconut Champagne' (featuring soloists Gavin Spowart, Helen Douthwaite, Andrew Whitaker and Lynsey Paterson) and 'Defying Gravity'. The second semi-final sees Co-operative Funeralcare, Kirkintilloch and Newtongrange compete to meet Kingdom in the final on June 26th.

added 6th June 2011

Kingdom Brass will make their debut at the European Championships in Montreux this weekend.

A sell out crowd of over 3,000 will pack into the Stravinsky Auditorium to see ten of Europe's finest bands battle it out for the title of 'European Champions 2011'.

On the Friday each band will perform the set testpiece, Oliver Waespi's tricky "Audivi Media Nocte". The bands then return on the Saturday to perform their own choice testpieces.

With performances at the European Open contest in 2002 and 2003, and a tour of Germany in 2006, Kingdom are seasoned travellers, but this is the first time the band has competed at the European Championships. The trip has cost over £20,000 and the band has been working flat out for months to raise the amount and prepare for the contest.

added 26th April 2011

Kingdom Brass celebrated at the weekend by retaining their "Fife Brass Band Festival Contest" title at the Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline.

Making her debut with the band on the contest stage was Kingdom's newly appointed Associate Conductor, Anne Crookston, who led the band in a sparkling performance from start to finish.

Adjudicator Bruce Fraser praised the Fife Champions throughout their performance, and also awarded Kingdom the prize of 'best bass team'.

Twenty-one bands from Scotland and England had entered the annual event, with Kingdom the penultimate band to play on the day. The band's winning programme started with "The Olympic Spirit", written by John Williams for the Seoul Olympics of 1998. The featured soloist was trombonist Chris Mansfield in an arrangement of "Autumn Leaves". The band continued in 'big band' style with "Coconut Champagne", featuring Andy Duncan on solo tuba, Chris Mansfield on solo trombone and Gavin Spowart on lead trumpet. The finale to the winning programme was a stunning arrangement of Webb's "MacArthur Park" which brought the house down.

added 16th April 2011

Kingdom Brass will be holding their Annual Concert in the Rothes Halls, on August 13th.

Following the success of the band's previous annual concerts, Kingdom Brass will present 'Fusion: A Blend of Brass and Jazz' in the Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, on Saturday August 13th.

The concert is being sponsored by Besson, and will feature the Faroese trombonist Davur Juul Magnussen, principal trombone of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, as the guest soloist.

The concert will feature Kingdom Brass, plus Kingdom Brass Youth and the Kingdom Percussion Academy. Also appearing will be the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra, who will be working closely with the Kingdom Youth players in workshops during 2011/12.

added 22nd March 2011

Kingdom Brass held their final fundraiser for Montreux at the weekend, a fantastic German Night.

With entertainment provided by 'Kolonel Schnapps' oompah band, a packed Co-op Hall enjoyed their time and well over £1,000 was raised on the night.

This now means the band has raised the £20,000 necessary to attend the European Brass Band Championships in April.

The band would like to thank CISWO and Fife Council for their grant support as well.

added 12th March 2011

Kingdom Brass have finished in the top half of the Championship Section once more.

Conducted by Andy Duncan, the band performed the set testpiece for the event, Philip Wilby's 'Paganini Variations', finishing in 5th place.

This latest result maintains the band's position in the Championship Section, and is the tenth top 5 finish in the last decade, a fantastic achievement for the band.

added 27th February 2011

Kingdom Brass hosted their 'Night of Brass' in the Co-op Hall, with 4 bands performing their Scottish Championship testpieces the week before the main event.

Opening the evening was Dysart Colliery Band, conducted by Gavin Lyndsey, performing their testpiece, 'Prelude, Song & Dance'.

Unfortunately Dunfermline Town had to withdraw from the event so there was no 3rd section band, but next up was Tullis Russell, conducted by Martyn Ramsay, performing 'Resurgam'.

Bathgate Band, conducted by Kingdom's cornet player Eoin Tonner, performed the extremely hard 1st section testpiece, 'Carnival Romain' before Kingdom Brass and Andy Duncan rounded off the evening with their performance of 'Paganini Variations'.

added 19th February 2011

Kingdom Brass have performed alongside David Childs and Les Neish at the Besson Scottish Solo & Ensemble Championships Gala Concert.

Two of the finest soloists in the UK at the moment, David and Les thrilled the crowds with their performances.

Les Neish performed 'Song for the Skies' and 'Czardas', while David Childs performed 'Brillante' and 'Hot Canary'.

The two soloists then appeared together to perform a duet, 'The Prayer', which was dedicated to SBBA's Event Manager, Peter Fraser, wishing him a speedy recovery after his recent hospital stay.

The set testpiece for the European Brass Band Championships has been announced as Oliver Waespi's 'Audivi Media Nocte'. The piece is inspired by a Thomas Tallis choral motet. Sung primarily on All Saint's Day, it translates into the English as 'I heard, at midnight...'.

The composer spoke to the brass band news website 4barsrest, saying the work explored the modern ambiguities of life. "It's a musical tale that oscillates somehow between past and present, between contemplation and frivolity, between prayer and a rave."

At around 17 and a half minutes in length it places great technical as well as musical demands on performers with inventive combinations of instrumentation as well as choreographed soloists standing in front of the main band.

Kingdom Brass will be performing the testpiece at an open rehearsal on Wednesday, April 27th.

added 3rd February 2011

Lee Bathgate retained his Fife Solo Champion title at the recent FCBA solo & ensemble competition, his 13th win at the event.

Another Bathgate name will be engraved on the silverware this year, with Lee's son Ryan winning the 12 and under section. Ryan plays solo horn with the Kingdom Junior Band.

Runner up in the 12 and under section was another Kingdom player, trombonist Michael McLaughlin. Kingdom's 12 and under ensemble were also runner up in their event.

In the 16 and under competition, euphonium player Ross Bahlaj and cornet player Karen Wilson were 3rd and 4th, with Kingdom's 16 and under ensemble in the runner up place.

added 22nd January 2011

Kingdom Brass are very happy to announce that Anne Crookston has accepted the role of Associate Conductor with the band.

Anne will work alongside the band's Musical Director, Andrew Duncan, to prepare the band for the stage, as well as conduct Kingdom Brass at various events during the year.

As well as her new role as Associate Conductor, Anne will also join Kingdom as the bands new Solo Baritone player.

Also joining Kingdom Brass is trombone player David Frame, who returns to the band on 2nd Trombone after a brief spell with Newtongrange Band.

Behind the scenes, the changes agreed at the bands AGM earlier in the year sees Colin McCabe take on the post of band Treasurer from January 1st, with the former Treasurer John Hamilton continuing his role as Commercial Manager, concentrating on generating commercial income to the band, a role he has had much success with over the past few years.

added 1st January 2011

Kingdom Brass won all three sections of the 2010 FCBA Open Contest.

The band, conducted by Musical Director Andrew Duncan, performed Wilfred Heaton's fiendish testpiece 'Contest Music', to win the Open title, and retain the prize of 'Best Fife Band'.

The band also won the march contest, playing Joe Cook's 'Keighley Moor', and won the hymn tune contest playing the Howard Snell arrangement of 'Now Thank We All Our God'.

Principal Cornet, Lee Bathgate, won the prize for 'best cornet' and the percussion team of Lynsey Paterson, Russell Wilson and Graeme Wilson lifted the prize for 'best percussion'.

It was also a significant day for the Kingdom Brass Youth Initiative. Ross Bahlaj, solo euphonium with Kingdom Brass Youth, made his contesting debut with Dysart Colliery Band, the first of the Kingdom players to progress through the youth system to a senior band.

added 3rd October 2010

Kingdom Brass will represent Scotland at the 2011 European Brass Band Championships.

The competition takes place over the weekend of April 29th and 30th 2011, in the Stravinsky Auditorium, Montreux, Switzerland.

Ten of Europe's finest bands will compete at the competition, including the reigning World and European Champions, Cory Band from Wales.

Each band will perform twice at the event, with a 'set testpiece' performed by each band on the Friday evening, and then an 'own choice testpiece' performed on the Saturday afternoon. The results of the competition are announced after the gala concert on the Saturday evening.

While still in the early stages of planning the trip, the band estimates the cost will be in the region of £20,000 and are investigating all avenues to raise this amount.

added 7th July 2010

For the first time, Kingdom Brass performed in the Cowdenbeath Gala Day procession, leading the parade down the High Street.

The Fife Champions paraded the impressive Fife Charities Band Association Trophy in front of the band, letting the home crowd see their silverware.

Following the band down the High Street were members of the Kingdom Brass Youth Band.

Following the parade, both bands performed short concerts in the park.

added 21st June 2010

Kingdom Brass has won the first semi final of the West Lothian Festival of Brass.

Conducted by Andy Duncan, Kingdom pipped current Scottish Champions Co-op Funeralcare Band to a place in the final on June 27th.

Scotland's representatives at the European Championships earlier this year, Bon Accord Band from Aberdeen finished in third place.

Adjudicator Nigel Seaman stated in his remarks it had been remarkably close between Kingdom and Co-op technically, but Kingdom had won through on pure entertainment value.

Kingdom's programme consisted of 'A Caledonian Fanfare' (featuring the percussion section of Lynsey Paterson, Kenny Carlyle, Graeme Wilson and Duncan Findlay), 'Harry James Trumpet Concerto' (with soloist, principal cornet Eoin Tonner), 'The Duke of Cambridge March' (with Adam Gore, John Todd and Bill Webster featured on fanfare trumpets), 'Tonight' (featuring soloists Eoin Tonner and Adam Gore, plus a trombone trio of Helen Douthwaite, Graeme McGregor and Bill Sandell), 'Keystone Cops', 'Alloway Tales' (with narration from Graeme Wilson), 'Claire De Lune' and 'Reunion & Finale from Gettysburg'.

The second semi-final sees Whitburn, Kirkintilloch and Clackmannan compete to meet Kingdom in the final on June 27th.

added 7th June 2010

Kingdom Brass has won first prize in the Championship Section at the 2010 Carnegie Contest, regaining the title the band won in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

Nearly thirty bands competed across all 5 sections, with Kingdom winning the top prize. The band's Principal Cornet player, Raf Van Looveren, also won the prize for best soloist in the Championship Section with a spectacular rendition of 'Variations on a Tyrolean Song'.

added 25th April 2010

Kingdom Brass competed at the Scottish Championships at the weekend, gaining fourth place.

Conducted by Andy Duncan, the band delivered an exciting performance of the testpiece, 'English Heritage' by George Lloyd, that had many in the hall predicting a higher placing.

The performance featured the band's Principal Cornet player, Belgian star Raf Van Looveren, and the bass team of Angus Pearse, Gareth Ross, Ian Green and John Hamilton, who picked up the prize for best basses at the contest.

Adjudicators Brett Baker and Chris Wormald said before the results there had been '4 great bands' at the competition, which had the audience guessing right up to the end which order they would be placed in. The result is the ninth time in ten years that Kingdom has finished in the top half of the Championship section, and the fifth finish in the top four.

added 15th March 2010

Kingdom Brass, in partnership with the Fife Charities Band Association, will host their third "Night of Brass" on Saturday, March 6th.

Five bands will perform their testpieces for the Scottish Championships the following weekend.

Dysart, St. David's, Tullis Russell, Lochgelly, Kingdom Youth and Kingdom Brass will all perform on the night, with Belgian cornet star Raf Van Looveren as guest soloist.

Dysart Colliery, conducted by Bill Sandell, will open the evening at 6pm with their performance of the 4th section testpiece "Saint-Saens Variations".

Appearing at the event for the first time is third section band St. David's Brass, from Dalkeith. Conducted by John Dickson, the band will perform the testpiece "Labour and Love" at 6.30pm.

Second section band Tullis Russell, conducted by Andy Shaw, will perform the testpiece "Kingdom of Dragons" at 7pm.

Lochgelly, conducted by Paul Drury, will perform the first section testpiece "A Moorside Suite" at 7.30pm.

At 8pm it'll be the turn of the Kingdom Brass Youth Band to take the stage. During the afternoon, the Youth Band will be taking part in a workshop with Raf Van Looveren, and they'll have the chance to present a few of the pieces they have worked on as part of the Night of Brass.

Following their Youth Band on stage, Kingdom Brass, conducted by Andrew Duncan, will perform "English Heritage" at 8.20pm. Kingdom will also feature principal cornet Raf Van Looveren as their soloist in a couple of items to round off the evening.

The event is being held in the Co-op Hall, Cowdenbeath, and entry is free. Doors open from 5.30pm. A bar will be running all evening, and everyone is welcome to attend what has become a well-established social event in the Scottish banding calendar.

added 5th March 2010

Kingdom Brass has launched their new Percussion Academy with an open evening for parents.

Lee Bathgate, Chairman of the Youth Band, welcomed the parents to the meeting, telling them this dedicated percussion teaching was the first of its kind in the UK, and how it was made possible through generous funding from the Government's Youth Music Initiative, through the Scottish Arts Council.

Lee introduced head tutor Lynsey Paterson, who will be delivering the tuition for the Percussion Academy, and told the parents that Lynsey was the Scottish Percussion Champion, having won the title at the Scottish finals the weekend before.

Lynsey explained the format of the lessons, and the instruments that will be used, as well as how the percussion players will integrate with the ever expanding Youth Band.

Alan Edmond, Youth Development Officer for the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) spoke to the parents about the need for greater investment in percussion tuition, and how these young players will have opportunities to perform in fantastic concert venues up and down the country.

There was also a chance for Kingdom's Child Protection Officer, Gillian Garvie, to explain to the parents our policy on child protection, and why every tutor has background checks carried out to ensure we operate in the safest possible environment.

The evening was finished off with a chance for the new percussionists to try out some of the equipment they'll be learning on.

added 15th February 2010

Kingdom Brass have announced they will be sponsoring the inaugural SBBA Youth Percussion Finals, offering the three youth prizewinners a private lesson with percussion star Simone Rebello.

With this being the first year that SBBA are including percussion sections alongside the normal brass solos and ensembles, an Open section will take place on Sunday, February 7th, for percussionists of all ages, rather than in specific age groups. The best '21 and under', '16 and under' and '12 and under' player in the Open competition will all be offered an invitation to receive a lesson from Simone Rebello, courtesy of Kingdom Brass.

Simone will be travelling to Scotland over the weekend of August 13th to 15th to work closely with the young percussion players of the recently launched Kingdom Brass Percussion Academy, and the brass players in the Kingdom Brass Youth Band, as well as other local young percussionists. She'll also be appearing as guest soloist in concert with Kingdom Brass on the evening of Saturday, August 14th.

The Chairman of Kingdom Brass Youth, Lee Bathgate, spoke of the decision to sponsor the competition: "This year has seen us launch our Percussion Academy to complement our Youth Band, and with Simone coming up later in the year it made perfect sense for us to offer some of her time to tutor the best young percussionists in Scotland. We're very happy to support SBBA with the new percussion competition by sponsoring the youth prizes."

Lee continued: "We're running three percussion workshops this year, one with Simone and two with our head percussion tutor, Lynsey Paterson, and they'll be open to all young percussionists in our area. On top of that we're going to be running five brass workshops, and a residential course, so it's a busy but very exciting time for our young players."

The next brass workshop for Kingdom Brass Youth will be on Saturday, March 6th, when Belgian cornet star, Raf Van Looveren, flies over to work with the youth band. Raf, who will play principal cornet with Kingdom Brass on English Heritage at the Scottish Championships the following weekend, will also be the band's featured soloist at their "Night of Brass" that same evening, when local bands will join Kingdom Brass in performances of all 5 regional testpieces.

added 6th February 2010

Kingdom Brass dominated the 2010 FCBA Solo & Ensemble contest, winning six of the nine categories for junior and senior soloists and ensembles.

The premier prize, the Senior Air-Varie Contest, was won by Lee Bathgate, his twelfth win at this event over the past 25 years.

Lee also played in the Kingdom Brass Quartet, which delivered a showcase performance in the Senior Ensemble category to lift the title once more. William McLaughlin (cornet), Helen Webster (horn) and Brian Paterson (euphonium) made up the rest of the ensemble.

Kingdom's solo baritone player, Jim Ferguson, won the Senior Slow Melody title, and rounded off a fantastic personal appearance with a third place in the air-varie.

In the youth event, Kingdom's latest signing, horn player Rachel Neil, won the 21 and under category. The young players from Kingdom Youth won first and second places in the 12 and under ensembles, and trombone player Liam Mullan retained his 12 and under solo title, with another of Kingdom's young trombonists, Michael McLaughlin, in the runners up place.

In the other categories, euphonium player Ross Bahlaj gained third place in the 16 and under section, and the 16 and under ensemble also gained a third place. Percussionists Sally Cain and Kieran Adamson were placed second and third in the new 12 and under percussion section.

added 23rd January 2010

Ross Bahlaj, euphonium player with Kingdom Brass Youth, has won the 2nd KBYI Solo Contest.

The competition, adjudicated by Kingdom's Musical Director, Andy Duncan, saw 22 brass and percussion players perform solos in front of a packed hall of parents, friends and supporters, as well as members of the Senior Band.

Andy had no problem with the eventual winner, euphonium player Ross Bahlaj, who performed his piece, Carnival of Venice, with great maturity and style. Following that he found four soloists who were very close in standard, and decided to award join second place to horn player Emma Miller and trombone player Michael McLaughlin. Joint third place went to horn player Ryan Bathgate and trombone player Liam Mullan.

This year also saw the first competition for percussion players, with a new trophy for members of the Kingdom Percussion Academy to compete for. The first winner, performing a xylophone solo, was Sally Cain.

added 18th January 2010

Kingdom Brass rounded off their 10th Anniversay Year with a sell out Christmas Concert, held in Beath High School, Cowdenbeath.

Andrew Duncan conducted the band, which performend a mix of concert pieces and traditional Christmas music.

The guest soloist for the concert was Gary MacPhee, former solo trombone with Kingdom Brass and now solo trombone with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Gary performed two solos, 'Amart Es Un Placer' in the first half, and 'Dark Eyes' in the second.

The second half of the concert featured the Kingdom Brass Youth Band, performing pieces they had prepared earlier in the day during their workshop with Gary MacPhee.

added 12th December 2009

Kingdom Brass took part in the Scottish Open Championships, held in Perth Concert Hall, on Saturday 28th November finishing in 11th place out of 17 competitors.

The band, conducted by Andrew Duncan, performed the fiendishly difficult testpiece "Extreme Makeover". A poor first third to the piece cost the band dear, and despite a sparkling remainder of the piece the small errors in the first section meant the band were always going to be in the chasing pack when competing at this high a level.

On the Sunday it was the turn of Kingdom Brass Youth to fly the flag for the organisation. Conducted by Anne Crookston, the band were drawn first and played very early in the day before the event really got into its flow. Despite this, the band gained a silver award, and showed much improvement a year on from their debut at this event.

added 30th November 2009

Kingdom Brass led a large parade down Cowdenbeath High Street on Sunday, as part of the annual remembrance service.

The band provided the music during the laying of the wreaths at the Town House, before marching the parade back down the High Street.

added 9th November 2009

Kingdom Brass retained the 'Best FCBA Band' title, making it ten titles in ten years for the band.

The band, conducted for the first time by new Musical Director Andrew Duncan, performed the testpiece 'Extreme Makeover', just being pipped to the Open title by Dalmellington.

Solo horn Stuart McKenzie won the best horn prize, and the Kingdom percussion section won the award for best percussion.

added 5th October 2009

Kingdom Brass have secured funding from the Scottish Arts Council to set up the KB Percussion Academy.

This new scheme will complement the existing Kingdom Brass Youth Initiative, allowing the organisation to teach a whole range of percussion instruments, and generate the percussion stars of the future.

Lynsey Paterson, principal percussion with Kingdom Brass, will be head percussion tutor. Recruit will be held towards the end of 2009, with lessons being given in the Co-op Hall, Cowdenbeath, on Monday evenings, and the percussionists joining in with the junior bands on a Tuesday.

Percussion workshops will be held throughout 2010 for the percussionists being taught, plus other local young percussionists. One of those will be with Simone Rebello.

added 7th September 2009

Kingdom Brass regretfully announces that they have ended their long time association with Musical Director Craig Anderson.

Kingdom Brass is delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Duncan as the band's new Musical Director with immediate effect.

Kingdom Brass Chairman, Bill Sandell, said of the signing "We are absolutely thrilled to be able to procure the services of such a prodigious talent as Andrew Duncan. We have been looking for some time for the right person to optimise the performance of the band and we believe that we have found that in Andrew. We look forward to a very long and mutually rewarding partnership".

Andrew began his conducting career after leaving the Halle Orchestra in 2000 becoming Musical Director of the Hepworth Band. Following a move back to his native Scotland, Andrew had his first taste conducting Kingdom Brass at the 2003 Scottish Championships.

In 2007 Andrew was appointed as the Musical Director of the Mount Charles Band from Cornwall. With Mount Charles he won the South of England Area in 2008 and was the runner up in 2007, subsequently competing at The National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall. Together they also gained 4th place at the English Nationals in 2008 and 3rd place at the Grand Shield in March 2009.

Andrew has conducted many of the world's finest brass bands on a freelance basis in recent years including Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Brighouse and Rastrick Band and the Wingates Band.

Andrew Duncan says of the appointment "I am delighted to be starting work with Kingdom Brass, the first band I worked with as a conductor in Scotland. I am looking forward to taking the band to the very top of Scottish banding and indeed further afield! The band has many exciting plans and aims for the future and has been universally admired for its 'Kingdom Brass Youth Initiative' which I am sure will pay dividends for the band in the years to come".

added 22nd August 2009

Kingdom Brass regretfully announces that they have ended their long time association with Musical Director Craig Anderson.

Bill Sandell, Chairman of Kingdom Brass, says of the news, "Craig has stated clearly for some time that his time as MD was finite and that it would absolutely last no more than 5 years. He had recently advised us that we should be considering future arrangements due to other commitments that he has and that this time was imminent. With that in mind, the committee sought a replacement and as timing in this case was critical, we decided to make that change now."

Bill Sandell continued, "Kingdom Brass is extremely grateful to Craig for his tenacious work in driving the band to their current position in Scottish and British banding. He led the band on our very successful tour of Germany and winning the Senior Trophy in 2006, our third place at the Scottish Championships in 2008 and securing our place in the Grand Shield for 2010. He will be hugely missed as a friend and driving force of the band by the members of Kingdom Brass and we offer him our heartfelt thanks for his time with us and wish him the very best of good fortune in his career moving forward from today."

added 18th August 2009

Kingdom Brass celebrated their 10th anniversary in style last weekend, with a sell out concert in the Lochgelly Centre.

Formed in 1999 by the merger of the Cowdenbeath and Kelty & Blairadam bands, Kingdom performed a 'Night at the Movies', with video backing, lighting and smoke effects adding to the atmosphere. The band celebrated the anniversary with a reception after the concert for players, officials, sponsors and invited guests.

The band's guest soloist for the evening was Les Neish, who wowed the audience with 'Zigeunerweisen' (fitting in with the movie theme as it was used for 'Kung Fu Hustle') and 'The Bare Necessities', which saw Les don a bear suit and give an impromptu maraca solo.

Band Chairman, Bill Sandell, said of the evening, "The past ten years has just flown in, and been very successful for the band, so we knew we had to do something special to celebrate that. We have been planning this concert all year, and full credit must go to the band Secretary, John Todd, for pulling this all together and giving us an evening which will be talked about for years."

Also appearing in the concert was the Kingdom Brass Youth Band, with Les Neish conducting them through 'Gonna Fly Now' from Rocky, and principal conductor Anne Crookston in front of the band for 'Wallace and Gromit'. Both bands then appeared on stage together for the first ever time for a performance of 'The Little Mermaid', with the junior band players on samba drums.

It had been a busy week for Kingdom, as a thirty strong contingent of youth band players and tutors headed to Meigle, in Perthshire, for a three day residential stay leading up to the concert. A variety of activities took place including individual, section and full band rehearsals, games and leisure time. Les Neish travelled with the group and worked closely with the young players, while the band's principal percussionist, Lynsey Paterson, gave samba lessons in preparation for the weekend concert.

Youth Band Chairman, Lee Bathgate, said of the course, "The young players in the junior band were really looking forward to this one, and we gave them a varied programme of music and leisure activities to keep their interest up. Les was fantastic working with them, and now they're demanding another trip next year!"

added 16th August 2009

Kingdom Brass finally achieved its long held aim of qualifying for the Grand Shield, with a fantastic third place at the Senior Cup in Blackpool.

Conducted by Craig Anderson, the band delivered a fantastic performance of the testpiece, Herbert Howell's 'Pageantry', and captured one of the four promotion places which were on offer. Sixty bands battled it out across three contests in the sprawling Winter Gardens complex, with Kingdom finally taking their form from north of the border down south.

The last time the band tasted success in Blackpool was 2006, with victory in the Senior Trophy which secured promotion to the Senior Cup. Two below par performances in 2007 and 2008 saw the band well down the table, but some serious hard work in the run up to the event saw the band finally realise it's potential, and secure a place in the Grand Shield for 2010.

added 12th May 2009

Kingdom Brass, conducted by James Gourlay, captured another top 5 finish at the Scottish Championships.

The testpiece for the Scottish Championships, Gilbert Vinter's 'Salute to Youth', proved to be a tough test for the Championship Section. Kingdom remained a model of consistency, with 8 top half finishes from 9 appearances in the top section.

Online banding magazine 4barsrest said of the performance "The opening fanfares were so well shaped. The second movement was a masterclass of musicality with excellent cornet and flugel playing, and the third romped along to a convincing ending, aided by some lovely horn playing."

added 24th March 2009

Kingdom Brass, in association with the Fife Charities Band Association, held the 2nd 'Night of Brass', bringing together 5 local bands to perform their testpieces before the Scottish Championships

Dysart, Dunfermline, Tullis Russell, Lochgelly and Kingdom all performed, with Kingdom Brass Youth providing some short concert items before their senior band performed.

It was a busy weekend for both bands, with Jim Gourlay working closely with the young Kingdom players to prepare them for the evening performance, as well as preparing the senior band for the Scottish Championships.

added 16th March 2009

Kingdom Brass are delighted to announce that James Gourlay will be directing the band at the upcoming Scottish Championships.

James has a reputation as one of the country's finest tuba players but has also enjoyed great success at the highest level as a conductor.

The move to appoint James has been proposed and organised by the bands current MD, Craig Anderson. Craig has many commitments in the coming months as MD of Campbeltown Brass and playing obligations with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, BBC SSO and RSNO.

Craig says, "I feel it is an ideal opportunity for the band to engage Jim at this time. I feel I cannot commit fully to everything at once and a Championship Section band of Kingdom's standard could really benefit from the change of direction and experience."

Kingdom received some bad news recently when principal Bb tuba player Ian Green injured his back in an accident at work, and faces a lengthy recuperation period, which means he cannot compete at the Scottish Championships in March. Craig added, "I will be signing as a player with the band and will work jointly with Jim until a few weeks before the contest, at which time I shall transfer into the tuba section to cover for Ian. We do wish him a speedy recovery so that he can retake his seat as soon as possible after the contest. I will then take up the podium again after the Championships and look forward to the next challenge with Kingdom."

Bill Sandell, Chairman of Kingdom Brass said, "It's a huge privilege to have Jim Gourlay conducting the band in this prestigious event. With Craig preparing us in conjunction with Jim and then stepping in to the principal Bb tuba seat, this absolutely is the best of both worlds for us. Jim is originally from Fife, and to have him conducting the Fife Champions at the Scottish Championships is going to be something special. I understand he hasn't worked in Fife before, so it really will be great to have him in the Kingdom."

added 12th March 2009

Nicky McLaughlin won the FCBA Senior Solo's with a superb performance of the tenor horn solo 'Variations on a Welsh Theme'.

Craig Herriot won the FCBA Slow Melody contest with a fantastic performance of 'A Time For Peace'.

A mixed quartet made up of players from Kingdom, Lochgelly and Tullis Russell were the only competitors in the ensemble contest.

In the junior sections, trombone player Liam Mullan from Kingdom Brass Youth won the under 12 competition. The Kingdom Brass Youth ensembles were also runners up in the 12-15 section, and won 2nd and 3rd places in the under 12 section.

added 26th January 2009