Whitburn Band is delighted to announce the signing of Ross Gilchrist on cornet.
The arrival of Ross marks an important moment for the band, as he is the first brass player to sign for Whitburn as part of the Whitburn Band youth development pathway, which began life in 2013.
The Whitburn Band pathway was designed so a player could start out playing their very first notes with the Whitburn Wee Band, or Whitburn Youth Band, and then continue progressing their banding career through Whitburn Heartlands Band, other local bands in the area, and then, eventually, Whitburn Band.
Only two players have achieved this since the project’s inception, and both are percussionists. Ryan Bradley and Amy Gray both enjoyed spells with Whitburn Band after starting out at Whitburn Youth Band, and are now both enjoying successful careers performing as professional musicians.
Ross, 19, started off playing at school when he was nine and he soon joined Whitburn Youth Band on Third Cornet. He went on to lead the cornet section before he progressed to Whitburn Heartlands and West Lothian Schools Brass Band, serving as Principal Cornet at both. In 2023, he joined Bathgate Band on Solo Cornet.
Ross studies music at the University of Glasgow under the tutelage of Mark O’Keefe, and has been a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland for the past nine years.
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, the Musical Director of Whitburn Band’s development bands, added: “We are delighted to welcome Ross back to the Whitburn band family, after keeping in close contact during his time at Bathgate Band. He has grown in skill and confidence during his time there, and is an absolute asset to our cornet section.”
Charlie Farren, Whitburn Band Chairman, said: “The importance of this achievement should not be overlooked and it is a massive credit to Ross on his return to us as a senior band member. We are delighted in welcoming him back and wish him every success with the band.”
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