Top brass award for Kirky music maestro

Gareth was named Bandperson of the Year by BrassFestUK at its annual Christmas concert which was staged online this year because of covid.

Gareth also conducts Coalburn Silver Band in Lanarkshire who nominated him for the award.

More than 100 bands are listed on the BrassFestUK website.

The Kirkintilloch Band tweeted: “Massive congratulations to our musical director Gareth Bowman for winning the Brassfest UK Bandsperson of the Year award.

“Rarely can an award have been so richly deserved. Congratulations Gareth – it’s a privilege to work with you at Kirkie!”.

A spokesperson for the band added: “In such a dark and difficult year, Gareth has adapted our way of staying connected, motivated and most importantly practising!”

She added: “The band is missing performing together, especially at this time of year when we’d usually have been playing carols at Regent Park, or on the High Street, as well as our Christmas concert with the junior band in St Ninians High School.”

The Kirkintilloch Band has been teaching and performing brass music since 1890.

Gareth took over as musical director a year ago.

For more on BrassFestUK, visit https://www.brassfes tuk.com/