Brass band's youngest blow off steam at summer camp

While ten of Campbeltown Brass' slightly more senior members attended the National Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) residential summer course, many younger musicians enjoyed the band's own summer camp.

 

Organisers have branded the town's summer brass camp 'a huge success', with more than 45 youngsters taking part in the two-week programme.

 

Blowing off some steam during the summer break were members of the youth band, the CBBz – Campbeltown Brass Buzzerz – group, who have now been playing brass instruments for a year, and the band's newest recruits, who are learning the basics using plastic pBuzz instruments.

 

Each group learned lots of new and exciting music as well as playing games, singing and enjoying some snacks, including ice cream on the last day.

 

With beautiful weather on the final day of the camp, conductor Stephanie Kennedy decided to organise a small pop-up concert, where the three bands showcased all they had learned during their time at the camp.

 

'I am absolutely delighted with how successful the camp has been and seeing all the children flourish,' said Stephanie.

 

'There was lots of super music-making, but also new friendships and plenty of laughs.

 

'I couldn’t have done this without the help of all my tutors who took time to help and encourage the children to be the best that they could be.'

 

Campbeltown Brass has been very busy in recent months, playing at many events in the community, including at the Springbank Distillery open day during Campbeltown Malts Festival, at the St Columba Conventicle in Southend and during the village's platinum jubilee celebrations, and most recently at Glenbarr War Memorial's rededication service.

 

In March, Campbeltown Brass's members were crowned Scottish champions after winning the second section competition at the Scottish Brass Band Association's Scottish Regional Championships.

 

This earned the band a place at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain finals at Cheltenham, England, in September, a journey for which members and parents have since been fundraising.

 

The band will have a training weekend later this month ahead of a concert on Saturday August 27, where they will be joined by some fabulous guest players and an international soloist.

 

The band has lots of other fundraising planned, including hosting a coffee morning on Saturday August 20 and organising a big raffle – with a top prize of £1,000 – which will be drawn on Friday September 30 at a social night featuring a silent disco at Campbeltown Bowling Club, to which all are welcome.

 

Tickets for the raffle, costing £10 each, will be available from band members but only 500 will be sold, so don't miss out.

 

'What a fantastic prize,' said band member Katrina Barr. 'It will help tremendously with the costs the band faces to go to Cheltenham.

 

'We would like to thank Campbeltown Community Windfarm Fund and Argyll and Bute Council's Common Good Fund for their recent grants towards our trip.'

 

Another welcome fundraising boost came thanks to a donation from Christine Russell of An Ceardach garden in Peninver.

 

"attachment_764326" "aligncenter" "225"] Campbeltown Brass members Taylor Black, Maida Walker and Amelie Ralston perform next to a beautiful trumpet lily at An Ceardach garden.

 

The beautiful five-acre garden, with a vast collection of rhododendrons, camellias, shrubs, herbaceous, ponds and wildflower meadows, welcomes visitors in exchange for donations which are then passed on to local charities and groups.

 

'Thank you very much to Christine for her generous donation,' added Katrina.