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Press Release

As Dysart Colliery Silver Band make their way into the Third Section for the first time in 50 years, it is a pleasure to be able to introduce our new MD – Kenneth Letham. Graduating in the class of 2002 from the RSAMD (now the Royal Scottish Conservatoire), Kenny quickly rose up the ranks playing trombone for Lochgelly, Kelty, Kingdom Brass, Bo’ness and Carriden and the Co-operative Funeralcare Band, before moving his playing to cruise ships all over the world. He currently works as a brass instructor in schools throughout Fife. Kenny’s conducting career has included taking the baton at Lochgelly, where he competed in both the Senior Trophy and the Championship Section of the Scottish Championships; Shotts St Patrick with whom he won the Fife Brass Band Festival in 2015 and MacTaggart Scott Loanhead, with whom he oversaw their return to and growth in the Third Section.

Speaking of his return to the baton, Kenny stated: “It had been my intention to take a break from conducting; that lasted all of one month. But after coming to help out over their Christmas period [The Band] inspired me. There is a lot of potential here and I wanted to see how far we could progress.”

Rev. Ron Rye, Solo Euphonium and media co-ordinator commented: “Kenny has undeniable musicianship and a pedigree that speaks of both a desire to win and also bring out the best from the players he leads. He is a teacher as well as a conductor and for the varying backgrounds that make up our band, it was this unique makeup that appealed to us. This, coupled with his work ethic, were the reasons why he slotted into our ensemble and we are excited about the future as we enter into the Third Section.

Kenny’s first engagement with the band will be the DCSB Christmas Concert at St Bryce Kirk, Kirkcaldy on the 9th December 2017 @ 7.30pm (Ticket information can be found on our website: www.dysartband.co.uk or our Facebook site). He will then take us through to the Third Section Scottish – our first time competing at this level in 50 years – where we hope to once again put on a good show that will raise a few eyebrows.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, DCSB are disappointed to announce that we will not be able to perform at this year’s Scottish Challenge – a real blow as we were looking forward to defending our 4th Section title. We take this opportunity however to wish the best of luck to the rest of the competing bands. We will return to action at our Christmas concert, December 9th, for which tickets are now available and hope to see as many of you there as possible for a real fun end to the year.

We are also delighted to welcome Kenny Letham who will be leading us over the next while. Kenny, a brass instructor in Fife whose conducting career has included successful stints with Lochgelly, Shotts St Patrick and most recently MacTaggart Scott Loanhead, is doing us a massive favour in the middle of taking a break from banding and we are really grateful to him.

As always – if you wish to come along for a blow, rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7.15pm.

The final contest of the banding year comes up in November at the Perth Concert Hall. This is our last competition as a 4th Section Band – and it will lead to our last Christmas Concert as the same. It has been an incredible couple of years – and we ow it to ourselves and those who have been following us, to end the year on a real high. So take note of the rehearsals and be aware that we may need to add a couple extra rehearsals for the Christmas Concert.

A fantastic experience was had by all in DCSB’s first trip to the National Championships of Great Britain in 96 years, couple with a performance to remember and a result that saw us placed 7th overall. Whilst it may not have been a win, the tears of joy and the cheers from the crowd, as well as some favourable media reviews, was enough to make sure the spirits were high on what was, undoubtably, one of the best weekends away this writer has ever experienced. Thanks had to go to everyone for the work and effort put in to make it so memorable.

DCSB placed 7th out of 20 at the Nationals this is both rationally and statistically better than our last outing in 1945 where we finished 13th out of 14. This result is the 4th best result out of 35 Scottish entries to the fourth section Nationals in 17 years and firmly defeats the Scottish average result of 13th place since 2010 (and that includes Newmains winning this year).

DCSB this year have competed and found success in more competitions within a single year than any in our history – making this our most successful period ever. After the Scottish in 2016 (the beginning of our journey here) we were ranked 768th in the world – as of yesterday with our result we are ranked 668th in the world – our highest ever ranking. This places us 41st in Scotland – a ranking well above our section status.

As Dysart Colliery Silver Band begin their run in to the National Championships of Great Britain, the support we have received to this point has been tremendous. And so it is with even more delight that we are able to announce another two, Tier One Supporters to join the DCSB Family:

Harley Hepburn Chartered Accountants – Kirkcaldy
Lothrie Bed and Breakfast – Kirkcaldy

This support transfers to another £100 raised, which is an excellent show of belief and support.

Dysart Colliery Silver Band is delighted to announce that our project BELIEVE has received a funding award of £7,259 from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund. The latest stage in the project sees DCSB travel to Cheltenham in September to represent Scotland in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, a standout feat, not achieved since 1945.

Alison Chapman – Band Treasurer – commented, “We are thrilled to have received funding from Creative Scotland. It is the band’s first win at the Scottish Championships since 1921 and the first time since 1945 that we have the chance to compete in the Nationals, so it is a big thing for us. Without Creative Scotland’s support, it just wouldn’t be possible. It’s not about winning, it’s about working together to be the very best that we can be, and we are delighted that, thanks to such support, we will be able to represent Scotland together in September.”

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: “The mines of Fife take a proud place in Scotland’s industrial heritage. Although the pits are quiet today, the bands that emerged as such a vital part of the Kingdom’s communities continue to make plenty of noise. Creative Scotland is delighted to support Dysart Colliery Silver Band as they head to the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, with not just Kirkcaldy and Fife but the whole of Scotland cheering them on. Their achievement so far has been fantastic and, as they reach new audiences, the future looks very bright.”

Recent success for DCSB hasn’t simply been about contesting – BELIEVE (which followed on from GOING FOR GOLD) has been about coming together to play, engaging with other bands, and reaching new audiences whilst trying to develop players in their musical ability, their own self-confidence and involving them in an exciting and rewarding experience. The band’s first win at the Scottish Championships since 1921 has only gone to prove that the effects of such a community focus are now beginning to pay off and we are looking forward to what the future holds.

For the Creative Scotland press release CLICK HERE

The crowdfunding charge by Dysart Colliery Silver Band over the last few weeks through JustGiving has now ended and the band are delighted to announce that a whopping £1330 was raised from over 50 individual donations!

It is a testament to the growing popularity of DCSB and to the generosity of our supporters, that such a great total was reached and all of us at the band wish to thank everyone for their hard word and their support.

DCSB are firmly on their way to reaching their funding goal – sending them to Cheltenham in September 2017 for the National Championships of Great Britain.