Following my two older sisters into brass banding, I began playing at the age of 7 with Tayport Instrumental Junior Band, shortly thereafter graduating to the Senior Band. At school and training level I was principal cornet of the Fife Youth Concert Band for three consecutive years and was involved in a number of recordings with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland. I have played B-flat Cornet, Soprano and Flugel with a number of brass bands including, Tullis Russell, Lochgelly, Alva, Kelty, Johnstone Silver and Broxburn Public. I have also played as a guest player for Newland Concert Brass, Whitburn and Newtongrange. In 1999 I was part of the re-building of Livingston Brass Band and enjoyed a number of successes before merging with Broxburn Public to form Broxburn & Livingston Band.
Occasionally, I have acted as tutor to beginner players and junior members. At Broxburn & Livingston Band along with the Junior Band conductor, Bill Smith, I took on the role of Junior Band tutor, and arranged a number of pieces for both junior band and smaller groups. A quintet arrangement played at the East of Scotland Youth Championships in 2007 gained the intermediate group qualification to the Scottish finals and earned high praise from adjudicators as a fun piece with technical challenges which showcased the abilities of the group perfectly.
I joined Bathgate Band in September 2008 and look forward to the personal challenges this brings.
1. What is your occupation?
Lawyer
2. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be?
Purple
3. Favorite drink?
Red Wine, closely followed by Spiced Rum & Diet Coke (in the same glass)
4. What do you do to vent anger?
Walk, and keep walking… or talk to my Dad, who always manages to put everything into perspective
5. What is on the floor of your wardrobe?
Shoes, shoes and more shoes
6. What inspires you most?
Adversity
7. What are you afraid of?
Spiders, snakes, anything creepy crawly really
8. Favorite car?
Within budget:- mine, a Ford Cougar. Blow the budget:- An Audi R8
