Whitburn Band, Heartlands and Whitburn Youth Band announce winners of annual awards

Andrew McMillan (left) and Robert Fraser

Whitburn’s tenor horn star Andrew McMillan has been named the Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at the Whitburn Band annual awards.

Andrew, who studies tenor horn at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, enjoyed his first full year on solo horn with Whitburn in 2022 with fantastic performances at the Scottish, Scottish Open and National Championships, while also impressing on the concert stage.

Andrew with Whitburn Band Chairman Charlie Farren

The former Campbeltown player was recognised with the Player of the Year award by the band’s management, while his fellow players also voted for him as their Players’ Player of the Year.

Robert Fraser, meanwhile, was named Bandsperson of the Year for the third time. He was recognised for his work as Whitburn’s librarian and archivist, alongside his playing role in the band’s bass section.

Robert’s work as an archivist came to the fore recently, with the opening of an exhibition about Whitburn Band in the town’s Whitburn Community Museum, which is in the new Whitburn Partnership Centre.

Robert’s work in this area will continue in the coming months, with the publication of archive interviews with people associated with Whitburn Band on Whitburn’s YouTube page and social channels.

Whitburn Heartlands Band, Whitburn Youth Band and Whitburn Wee Band also recognised their members at the annual awards.

Tenor horn player Tyler Clark was named Players’ Player of the Year for Heartlands, while Anne Kelly on flugel was named Bandsperson of the Year.

Tyler Clark with Whitburn Youth Band Musical Director Caroline Farren

Anne Kelly

In Whitburn Youth Band, there were awards for cornet player Ross Gilchrist (Player of the Year), Amber Gourlay on flugel (Bandsperson) and trombonist Roxy Clark (Most Improved Player).

The achievements of Whitburn Wee Band members were also recognised. Georgia, Erin, Eilidh, Logan, Dylan and Nathaniel - who were all in attendance - received a certificate, and the other members of the band will receive their certificates at a later date. Well done all.