1984 was a very busy year for the band, they had continued competition success, winning their sections in 4 different contests and also took part in 40 engagements, one of which was a concert to a full house in the Magnum Theatre.The band also travelled overseas for the first time to Dublin and the people of Donaghmede enjoyed having the band there to perform.

 

1985 saw the band continue their winning streak, taking the 4th Section titles in Motherwell, Aberdeen and Paisley. The band became 4th Section Scottish Champions and went on to represent Scotland at the National Championships. This saw promotion to the 3rd Section and in 1987 the band was placed 2nd at the Scottish Championships, ensuring another trip to London to compete in the National Finals. 

 

As of the 1st of January 1988, the two youth band’s formally merged – and were now known as Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band. The newly named band went on to win five awards at the Aberdeen Open Contest, including Best Band, Best Entertainment and Best Section Two Band.

 

In the early 90’s Chic Keenan left the band and John Smilie, another local brass teacher took over the role of Musical Director. This period of change saw many band members leave to go to University, start new jobs and others get married and start families. In March 1996, Robin Thompson took over the conductor’s role and the band began to gain confidence again and rebuild winning the 3rd section prize at the Forth Valley Contest and coming 2nd in the area championships.

 

In 1997 the band were successfully awarded a Lottery Grant which saw the purchase of 25 much needed new instruments, this was made possible by the hard work of the band and supporters. The next year the band gained promotion to the second section and finished 3rd at the Nationals Finals with Raymond Tennant. Clearly those new instrument did the trick!

 

1999 saw Robin Thompson relinquish his position as Musical Director but he continued be involved with the band playing cornet. John Boax took up the role of conductor and saw the band to continued success winning the best 2nd Section Prize at the Land O’ Burns Contest and 4th Place in the Scottish Championships. At this time the ‘B’ Band and Junior band were reformed. 

 

From 2005 to 2009 David McKellar took up the baton, bringing many years of top level experience to the band. Subsequently, the band gained 2nd place in the 4th Section area contest and took another trip down to the National Finals. As well as competing every year at the Scottish Championships, the band also takes part in local annual entertainment contests including the Land O’Burns and Borders Competitions.

 

In 2010, John Boax returned the position of Musical Director and band placed 2nd in that year’s 3rd section Scottish Championships. 

 

2012 saw the exciting development of a third-tier to the organisation, we always had a small youth band which sat side by side to our Senior Band, but the funding saw the formation of the ‘Brasslets’. This youth group comprises of learners and complete beginners. They have since competed at the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships and continue to go from strength to strength. 

 

In July 2014 the band performed in two prestigious gigs. Firstly, to royalty at the opening of the walled garden at Dumfries House where the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla were all in attendance. Next, the band entertained the world’s top sportsmen and women, marching and performing at the Athlete’s Village as part of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Later that year the band gained its most successful result at the Border’s contest, coming 3rd with conductor Scott Kerr. 

 

In 2015, the band saw change again with the arrival of a new Musical Director - Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale. The band came 2nd at the Scottish Championships (3rd section) and went on to compete at Cheltenham in the September 2015.

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In 2017, the band came 1st at the Scottish Championships (3rd Section) again under the Baton of Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale and went on to compete at Cheltenham in the September 2017.

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Following our Cheltenham visit, we bid a sad farewell to Helen as she made the move back to England to live. Scott Kerr joined us as resident conductor for a year, until late 2018.

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Lewis Bettles then joined as our new MD, and in 2019, the band came 1st at the Scottish Championships (3rd Section) under his baton and we again went on to compete at Cheltenham in the September 2019.

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In 2020, just before lockdown we re-joined the 2nd section and got an impressive 4th place position. But it was only 2 weeks later that the UK went into lockdown, and while we did our best to continue in the virtual world - even competing in virtual competitions and continuing with virtual youth lessons, we didn't meet together in person to play together until June 2021.. where we took advantage of the Scottish Summer and practiced outside! 

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During that downtime, we made best use of our time though. Taking on our new home in Autumn 2020. A community asset transfer from North Ayrshire Council of the Dunlop Hall in Dreghorn. We were able to make the place band ready even though we couldn't play together as a large group. 

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In the end, Covid saw us not return to performing at the Scottish Championships until March 2022 where we again placed 4th with Lewis. 

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In 2022, we added yet another tier to our band family. A community band! This saw us welcome back players from yesteryears. Some had continued playing socially, others picked up an instrument for the first time in many years. 

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In 2023, the competing band came 1st at the Scottish Championships (3rd Section) with Lewis as our MD and went on to compete at Cheltenham in the September 2023 under the baton of Stephanie Kennedy after Lewis returned back home to live down south. 

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Between September 2023 - March 2024, John Boax took the competing band to the Borders Copetition and the Scottish Championships 2024. 

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Helen Douthwaite Teasdale, having returned to Scotland after a few years living down south, re-joined us as our resident conductor from Easter 2024.

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The band continue to play at a variety of local events, contests and concerts and hope to see more success in 2024 as we join the 1st section.

 

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