Our History
The Beginning of 'Kirky'
The Kirkintilloch Band was founded in 1860 with funds provided by public subscription.
National Championship (3rd Section)
In February of 1950 the Kirkintilloch Band came 2nd in the Area Contest, qualifying them for their first National Championships in September 1950 playing 'Indian Summer' under the direction of Hugh Forbes.
Scottish Championship
In 1951 The Kirkintilloch Band won their first Scottish Championship (third section) playing Rufford Abbey. A success for the band after increasingly strong contest performances with their MD Hugh Forbes.
Scottish Championship and National Finals
A successful year for the band! Placing 2nd at the Scottish Championship performing "Old Palace Yard" the band then returned to the National Championship performing "The English Maiden".
Scottish Championship
After progressing from the 3rd Section the band showed their contesting prowess yet again by taking 2nd place at the Scottish Championship - this time with a new MD, Alex Fleming who led the band in their performance of "Kenilworth".
National Championship (2nd Section)
The band returned to the national finals this time as a 2nd section band and placing 2nd secured their best result at the national finals yet!
Scottish Championship
Moving from strength to strength the band made their debut in the championship section performing Themes from Beethoven's 8th Symphony. Their 3rd place success was a triumphant end to Alex Fleming's leadership which took the band from the second section through to the championship section.
Scottish Championship
After a brief visit back to the 2nd section the band renewed their strength once again in the championship section beating their previous years 7th place by taking home 5th.
Scottish Championship
After a few more challenging years the band returned to the Scottish Championship with a vengeance performing Waverley under the baton of Walter Barrow Hargreaves. Securing first place demonstrated to the banding world that Kirky was back!
Scottish Championship
Back to defend their title the band returned to perform "Contest Music" again under the direction of W B Hargreaves. After a successful performance they defended their title as Scottish Champions.
European Championships
After a successful two years as Scottish champions the band took to the international stage in the 1985 European Championships, performing "Dances and Arias" under the trusty baton of MD Hargreaves.
Scottish Championship
The bands first outing under the direction of Frank Renton proved to be a successful one! Performing "The Beacons" the band placed first, regaining their title as Scottish champions.
Various
In a successful spree of outings under the baton of Charles Keenan the band won four contests in 1994; Strathclyde Charities, Open Cumbrian Brass Band Championships, Whitehaven Contest and Whitburn Invitation Contest.
Open Cumbrian Brass Band Championships
The band returned to Cumbria under the direction again of Keenan to defend their title. Their hard work was rewarded and they took home gold again!
Local
Demonstrating their local prowess under the direction of Allan Ramsay the band placed first in two contests; Land o' Burns and Bo'ness Fair Centenary Contest.
Local
The band placed first in the West of Scotland Band Association open before returning to the Land o' Burns playing "Contest Music" to defend their title, which they did, again taking home first place.
Forth Valley Championships
Again under the dependable baton of Allan Ramsay the band secured their first win at the Forth Valley Championships.
Scottish Championship
After rising through the ranks of banding in the 1990s the band secured 2nd place performing "Blitz" under the baton of Frank Renton. This secured the bands place as one of the top brass bands in the UK at the turn of the century.
Carnegie Invitation Contest
Kicking off the new millennium with a bang the band took first place at the Carnegie Invitation Contest with their performance of "Volcano". The band went on to win 4 more contests in the same year!
British Open Spring Festival
2001 saw the bands highest result at the spring festival yet when they secured first place under Allan Ramsay's baton with a performance of An Epic Symphony.
Scottish Championship
The band continued their success in the new century with a win at the Scottish Championship performing "Whitsun Wakes".
Fife Brass Band Festival
Under the baton of Nigel Boddice for the first time the band won the championship section at the Fife Brass Band Festival.
Scottish Championship
The band's developing relationship with MD Nigel Boddice proved to be a fruitful one with their performance of "Isaiah 40" making them once again Scottish Champions!
National Championship
Newly under the direction of Selmer Simonsen the band placed 2nd at the Scottish Championship which led to them returning to the National Finals for a performance of "Concertino for Brass Band".
National Championship
Again under the baton of Simonsen the band defended their title of runner-up at the Scottish Championship this time leading to a performance of "The Torchbearer" at the 2009 National Championship.
British Open Spring Festival
The band returned to the podium at the spring festival in 2011 when their performance of "Titan's Progress" led to the band placing second.
Scottish Championship
The band returned to the podium at the Scottish Championship for the first time since 2010 with their performance of Cambridge Variations under the precisionist baton of Philip McCann.
Scottish Championship
After a brief period of re-building the band won the first section Scottish Championship with their performance of Symphony of Marches under the baton of David Roberts.
New Directions
In 2023 the band saw the beginning of what was to be a very successful relationship with current MD Hedley Benson.
Scottish Challenge Shield
Under the trusty baton of Hedley Benson the band saw their first big win at the Scottish Challenge Shield performing "The World Rejoicing (Variations on a Lutheran Chorale)".
Scottish Championship
Ending their most recent time in the first section the band took home their second gold under direction of Hedley Benson performing "High Peak".
Scottish Challenge Shield
Continuing their most recent series of success the band performed "Of Men and Mountains" and took home the gold yet again!
New Partnerships
In 2025 the band formed a new rehearsal partnership with Martyn Ramsay, with guest conductor Christopher Binns taking the baton for most contests.
Scottish Championship
Under MD Christopher Binns the band placed 3rd at the Scottish Championship with their performance of "Elgar Variations", qualifying for the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time since 2013!
Spring Festival Senior Cup
The band continued their success streak at the Spring Festival Senior Cup, taking first place with their performance of "Ballet for Band" under the baton of resident conductor Martyn Ramsay.
National Championship
On 3rd October 2026 the band returned to the Royal Albert Hall and thoroughly enjoyed performing "A Road Less Travelled By" under the skilful baton of Christopher Binns. The band cannot wait to continue developing from here!
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