Kingdom Brass rounded off the year with a series of Christmas and New Year engagements.

On December 4th, Kingdom Brass performed a joint concert with the Strathallan School choir and pipers, in Perth Cathedral. The band followed that up with a concert in Leven Parish Church, along with the East Fife Women's Choir, on December 9th.

The band performed a Christmas concert in a packed Co-op Hall, along with the Kingdom Youth Band on Thursday, December 18th, and then appeared in concert in Auchterarder Parish Church on December 21st.

In the evening of December 31st, Kingdom Brass took part in the Newburgh 'Oddfellows Parade', rounding off a busy month for the band.
added 31st December 2008

Kingdom Brass, conducted by Craig Anderson, were placed 7th at the 2008 Scottish Open Championships.

The band performed the set testpiece, the fiendishly difficult 'St Magnus', just missing out on another top six placing.

Kingdom now look forward to a busy period over Christmas and the New Year before the Scottish Championships in March.
added 1st December 2008

Kingdom Brass bounced back from a disappointing performance in 2007 to regain the title of Fife Champions, and win the famous Fife 'A' Band Trophy.

A phenomenal effort from the band to prepare the testpiece, St. Magnus, paid off with a runners up spot in the Open Contest, with the band also winning the hymn tune.

Individual awards went to solo cornet player Lee Bathgate, on his return to the principal seat, and the bass section, with Angus Pearse, Jim Kelly, Ian Green and John Hamilton lifting the trophy.
added 5th October 2008

Kingdom Brass Youth have secured major funding from the Youth Music Initiative.

The five figure sum from the Scottish Arts Council will allow the Youth Initiative to expand much further over the next two years, with the formation of two full youth bands to complement the training currently being given to the band's young players

The project will also cover a series of workshop weekends, over the next two years, with some of the finest brass musicians, teachers and clinicians in the country. One welcome area of development will be that of low brass, with funding made available to purchase tubas and more euphoniums for the bands.

Additionally, funding will be made available for promotional and merchandising material for the band, as well as other areas such as administration costs, tutoring and participation at events.
added 14th September 2008

Kingdom Brass welcome three new additions to the band.

Kingdom Brass has announced three new signings to strengthen the ranks in the run up to the forthcoming Fife Charities Band Association contest next month, and the Scottish Open in November.

Joining the band on solo baritone from Scottish Co-op is Lucy Forbes. Lucy was principal baritone with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland on their recent tour of Japan, and brings a wealth of experience at the top level from her years with Scottish Co-op.

Joining Lucy at Kingdom is her sister, Stephanie Forbes. Formerly with Kirkintilloch and Scottish Co-op, Stephanie replaces former Scottish Solo Champion Lee Bathgate on repiano, with Lee moving back onto principal cornet after a spell in the back row while recovering from a serious mouth injury.

Also moving to Kingdom on the front row is Gavin Lindsay. Probably best known for his many years on soprano with Scottish Co-op, Gavin has recently been playing on the front row with Whitburn. Gavin replaces Randi Holm, who has returned home to Manger Musikklag after a spell studying in Edinburgh. Gavin will also double up as Associate Conductor, working alongside Musical Director Craig Anderson to prepare the band for forthcoming events.

Gavin was resident conductor with Kingdom in 2000-2001, and said: "I'm looking forward to being re-acquainted with Kingdom Brass once again, and working with Craig Anderson in an Associate Conductor’s role. The band has made significant advances in recent years and we intend to carry on this momentum in the future."

Band Chairman Bill Sandell said: "Lucy and Stephanie are great signings for the band. They’re both young and hungry for success, exactly the type of player we want to be attracting to Kingdom. Gavin has huge amounts of experience at the very top level, and as Associate Conductor, he will be working closely with Craig Anderson to bring the best out of the band."

Bill added: "We came so close to the Albert Hall this year with a 3rd place at the Scottish Championships, and regained the Carnegie Contest title. Add to that our players won all four of the Fife and Scottish solo and ensemble titles, and it’s been a very successful year for the band so far."
added 5th September 2008

Kingdom Brass performed in concert at the Aberdour Festival.

A packed house attended Kingdom's concert as part of the Aberdour Festival, creating a fantastic atmosphere inside St Fillan's Church. The audience were treated to some fantastic playing all evening, including a superb 'Nessum Dorma' from guest principal cornet player Iain Culross

The evening also saw the concert debut of the Kingdom Brass Youth Band, which performed a few pieces after the interval.
added 4th August 2008

Kingdom Brass Youth are set for their concert debut, appearing alongside the senior band at the Aberdour Festival.

The concert, being held in St. Fillans Church in Aberdour on Sunday August 3rd, will see Kingdom Brass appear again in this fantastic setting. Kingdom Brass Youth will also appear in the concert, making their public debut.

The concert begins at 7.30pm, and entry is fee (with donations to charity on the door).
added 27th July 2008

Kingdom Brass competed in the 2nd semi final of this year's West Lothian Challenge, finishing in second place behind Whitburn, and ahead of Newtongrange.

The band, conducted by Craig Anderson, produced an exciting, polished performance which was high on energy but just couldn't match an on form Whitburn.

The band's programme began with an up beat performance of "Valero", and continued with a new composition from Andy Duncan, "When Kingdom Comes". Next up was the reigning Scottish Solo Champion, Jim Smith, with a performance of "Carnival of Venice". A more mellow item next, with Kenneth Downie's "In Perfect Peace", followed by the upbeat "Crazy Brass Machine". Some Stevie Wonder was next for the audience, with "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" featuring three flugels and three trombones. A piece of fantastic film music followed, with "The Mask of Zorro". The band finished their programme with Tchaikovsky's "The Little Russian", a rousing end to a fantastic programme.
added 9th June 2008

Kingdom Brass, conducted by Craig Anderson, retained the Fife Brass Band Festival title at Dunfermline's Carnegie Hall.

A top class performance of the band's own choice concert programme was more than enough to win the title for the third time in a row, and also win the prize for best bass section.

The band's programme started with an arrangement of 'Valero', which set the standard for the rest of the performance. That was followed with a cornet solo, featuring the band's principal cornet James Smith. The Scottish Solo Champion was on top form with a fantastic rendition of 'Carnival of Venice'. 'Nicaea' was the next item on the programme, a lovely arrangement of the hymn tune. A stirring performance of 'Mask of Zorro' led into the finale, Tchaikovsky's 'Little Russian'. 27 bands competed in the competition.

James Smith is sponsored by 'Band Supplies'.
Martin Edwards is sponsored by 'The Wind Section'.
added 10th March 2008

Kingdom Brass, conducted by Craig Anderson, gained their best ever Scottish Championships result with a fantastic third place.

A superb performance of the testpiece, Eric Ball's "Festival Music", finally gave the band the breakthrough into the Scottish top three which had eluded them so many times.

Just missing out on a place at the National Finals and a return to the Albert Hall was hard to take at the time, but the realisation of the highest placing by a Fife band in almost 30 years soon began to sink in.

After a half dozen 4th and 5th placings since 2001, Kingdom had been working hard behind the scenes to try and break into that 'top three', and the hard work finally paid off with a polished performance which impressed the adjudicators.
added 10th March 2008

5 of Fife's bands performed at Kingdom's "Night of Brass".

The majority of Fife's brass bands demonstrated their ability to work together to deliver something special, with a fantastic evening of top quality brass in Kingdom's rehearsal hall.

Each band had been invited by Kingdom Brass to perform their Scottish Championship testpieces, and Dysart Colliert, conducted by Bill Sandell was first up. They relished the rousing applause from the packed hall. Following them were Dunfermline Town, with Dave Neil conducting, then Tullis Russell under Gavin Lindsay. Lochgelly, now firmly established in the first section, performed the testpiece 'James Cook', with Paul Drury conducting.

Finally, Kingdom performed their testpiece, 'Festival Music' to a packed hall. Following the testpiece, Kingdom entertained the audience with a short concert programme, including a performance of 'Demelza' with Rachel Neil as guest soloist, and Dave Neil conducting.
added 3rd March 2008

Kingdom Brass performed in Perth's Trinity Church.

As the build up to the Scottish Championships continued, Kingdom Brass performed in concert in this fantastic venue in Perth.

A large audience was entertained with some fantastic concert items, and Kingdom took the opportunity to perform the testpiece which would be played at the following weekend's Scottish Championships, 'Festival Music'.
added 3rd March 2008

Jim Smith clinched the title of 2008 Scottish Open Solo Champion, with Kingdom's quartet retaining the Scottish Ensemble title.

A fantastic performance of his solo, "Weber's Last Waltz" saw the reigning Fife Champion lift a quite astonishing eighth Scottish title, 40 years after his first win.

The crowd present for his performance heard a quite superb musical rendition, which was clearly the winner on the day. At the announcement of the results, the large Kingdom contingent were on hand to cheer and congratulate a clearly moved winner.

Added to the Open Solo title was the Scottish Ensemble title, with Kingdom's quartet retaining the title won in 2007. The quartet of Lee Bathgate, William McLaughlin, Ali Hall and Brian Paterson were conducted to victory by Angus Pearse, with Whitburn in the runners up spot.
added 5th February 2008

Gareth Ross, former Tuba Champion of Great Britain and Scottish Solo Champion, returns to Kingdom Brass.

Making a welcome return to the band after a few years away is Gareth Ross, who steps in to cover for the band's regular Bb bass player Graham Smith at the Scottish Championships.

Formerly Scottish Solo Champion and British Tuba Champion, Gareth's fantastic skill and vast experience is most welcome as the band prepares for the forthcoming Scottish Championships.
added 2nd February 2008

Kingdom Brass returned victorious from the recent FCBA Solo & Quartet competition.

Principal cornet Jim Smith won the Open Solo competition, with the band's mixed quartet taking the ensemble prize.

Reigning Solo Champion Craig Herriot had to settle for the runners up spot in the Open Solos, with other Kingdom players Ali Hall and Lee Bathgate in 3rd and 4th places. Kingdom also took 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the slow melody competition, with Craig Herriot, William McLaughlin and Carol Sandell featuring. The band's trombone quartet was runner up in the ensemble section.

In the junior sections, Mark McLauchlin was runner up in the 16-21 age group, and trombonist Michael McLaughlin, son of the band's cornet player William McLaughlin, put on a very confident performance to take the runners up spot in the under 12 age group.
added 1st February 2008