More
recent photo's coming soon.......
Scottish
Championships 2004
The band is pleased
to introduce their new conductor, Bob Mcdonald. Bob,
previously with Tayport band, is an accomplished
cornet player and a welcome addition to the Buckhaven
& Methil band.
Above:
The band's first contest in their new uniforms prior
to competing in the Finals under the baton of Bob
Mcdonald.
Apple
Blossom Concert
Below:
Programme extract from Apple Blossom Time Concert,
Glen Pavilion, Dunfermline, Satuday 27th March 2004.
Alastair
McDonald
Alastair
McDonald is Scotland's leading musical minstrel. In
addition to television, radio and stage appearances
worldwide, he is a prolific recording artiste with a
programme selected from a vast repertoire of
traditional and original material.
Born in
Glasgow in 1941, Alastair emigrated to Australia in
1949. There, he developed an interest in home made
music and, at the age of twelve, he returned just in
time for the emergent 'skiffle era'. After playing
with a variety of local groups, he eventually found
himself thrashing a banjo in the trad jazz revival.......
Over the
years Alastair's musical horizons broadened and he
featured in the popular TV series 'Songs of
Scotland'. Since then he has appeared extensively in
theatres throughout Scotland in shows, pantomimes and
plays including 'The Tales of Para Handy', adapted
from Neil Munro, and Hector MacMillan's 'The Rising'.
Alastair's commitment has always been to entertain.
He strives to offer what he considers to be wholesome
and uplifting entertainment by, he says, 'filling
time for an audience instead of just passing .t'. His
musiccan be obtained through Corban Records, PO Box
2, Glasgow, G44 3LB.
Buckhaven
& Methil Miners Brass Band
The
origins of the brass band date back to early 19th
century Englandand the industrial revolution, when
employers, mainly in mills and coal mines, began
financing works bands to discourage workers from
pusuing political activities in thei leisure time. By
the 1840's politicians were hiring them to liven up
campaigns. Challenges followed, and the brass band
competitions took shape. By 1860 there were more than
750 bands in England alone, comprised solely of
non-professional musicians, as they are today.
despite the demise of industries which once supported
them, thousands of british brass bands have
survived...
Apple Blossom
Concert with Alastair McDonald, Dunfermline 2004
Buckhaven &
Methil band were formed in 1905 and look forward to
celebrating their centennial anniversary next year.
During its lifetime the band has travelled
extensively throughout Britain to attend fetes, galas
and concerts. Nowadays it is self-supporting, relying
on subscriptions and fundraising events for its
upkeep. Members take pride in performing to a high
standard and have fared well in competitions. Having
come third for the last three years, they are one of
only two Scottish bands to have succeded in winning
the British Mineworkers Championships. Sadly, these
ceased to take place this year and, together with the
coal-mining industry, are now a thing of the past.
