Dynamica Brass Academy

Continuing to play after Dynamica

Since we announced the sad closure of Dynamica we have been working to seek out some alternative bands for anyone who wishes to continue playing. I hope that everyone will continue to play in some capacity regardless if that's school music lessons, private tuition or with another band.

For anyone wishing to join a new band, please see some options below which may interest you. Please note these organisations are not linked to Dynamica, we are simply providing their details having reached out to them or had contact from them following our closure.

Coalburn Brass Band Family

Bronze Band (children's band and beginners groups) meet on a Wednesday from 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

Intermediate Band for players for around grade 4 and above meet on a Monday from 7.15pm - 9.15pm.

Instruments can be provided too if necessary.

Both bands are located in our band hall in Coalburn - 27 Bellfield Road, Coalburn, ML11 0LA.

We appreciate that travelling to Coalburn is a bit of a commute for those staying in East Kilbride. We have members travelling from all over so lifts and lift shares may be available.

Anyone interested in coming along should contact Daniel Beadle (Secretary) at [email protected] or 07786 131508

https://www.facebook.com/CoalburnBrass/?locale=en_GB

Clydesdale Community Brass Band

Rehearse in Carluke on a Tuesday evening.
Junior band from 4.45-6.15pm and senior band from 6.39-8.30pm.

Www.cccb.co.uk or pass on my number 07801432337 for anyone who wants any further information.
John Bryce ARCM (perf)
Musical director

https://www.facebook.com/p/Clydesdale-Community-Concert-Band-100057081984323/?locale=en_GB

South Lanarkshire Orchestral Society

5pm-7pm Friday nights at Uddingston Grammar School

3 different bands to suit all abilities

https://www.slos.org.uk/

[email protected]

Clyde Wind Ensemble

Rehearse Thursdays 7-9pm at Calderglen High School

Coalburn Brass Band Family The Coalburn Brass Band Family are based in our own rehearsal facility in Coalburn, South Lanarkshire.

There are three brass bands in our organisation:
- Coalburn Bronze Band, our youth band
- Coalburn Intermediate Band, our 4th section band
- Coalburn Silver Band, our championship section band

We also have our Coalburn Percussion Academy, where our tutor provides lessons on the full range of percussion instruments such as xylophone, timpani and drum kit. This is to prepare and support our percussionists to join one of our bands.

Our organisation has a full diary throughout the year with various concert engagements, community events and a contesting programme.

We warmly welcome anyone with an interest to come along to any of our rehearsals or performances.

For more information, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Dynamica will not be restarting as planned in January.

For a number of years our membership has been reducing and despite a number of initiatives to recruit new members we remain at around half of our previous pre pandemic numbers. This is in an environment where all our costs to operate the charity have significantly increased. It cost around £14000 per year to run Dynamica and at present our monthly member donations cover less than half this amount. It is not sustainable to rely on fundraising alone to make up the difference.

Also, following our Christmas Concert we were informed of the intention of of both Arlene and Brian to step down as Musical director and Trustee respectively due to family and personal commitments. Both have given many years of dedicated service and I would like to thank them both for giving so much time, effort and expertise. Replacing either one would be a challenge but replacing both quickly is close to impossible

As a result of these challenges and following a full thorough review of the charities projected running costs for 2026 we have taken the tough and emotional decision to begin the process to close down Dynamica.

Whilst we could potentially limp through until Summer, as trustees we must always act in the best interest of the charity and manage our resources in a transparent and sensible manner, always thinking of the kids and their learning experience. It would not be right to potentially close down weeks before a concert should the money run out or we struggle to find new instructors who fit the organisation and our existing standards.

To all my fellow trustees, staff and volunteers, both current and previous I thank you all for your hard work over the years. Together you have achieved amazing things and have given our young people experiences, skills and a lifelong love of music. You should all be very proud of yourselves.

To all our members, who I know may be upset and disappointed, I am sorry we have had to end but we will be posting information on some potential opportunities for anyone wishing to continue to play. Thanks for being such wonderful students, the staff and I have really enjoyed teaching you. The memories and laughs will stay with us all forever.

I wish you all the very best for the future

The charity will remain in place until all matters have been resolved. All bills will be paid and the charity has no debts. All remaining funds will be donated to another organisation in due course once all other matters have been concluded.

We would ask that all parents cancel their standing orders immediately however any are not cancelled prior to the payment on 01/01/26 will be promptly refunded.

Further updates will follow regarding instruments, equipment etc. This will take time so please be patient. Again, no one who is learning at school will be left without an instrument at short notice.

Thank you all for your support over the last 20 years, it has been a privilege to be involved in such a great organisation

All the very best

David

A message from Arlene, our Musical Director

"After almost 15 years with Dynamica, it is with an incredibly heavy heart that I say goodbye to an organisation that has been such a huge part of my life. Watching generations of young musicians walk through our doors on Monday nights has been nothing short of special, and it has been a true privilege to share in their journeys, their growth, and their joy.

The sense of family within Dynamica is something I will miss deeply — the laughter, the music, and the feeling of belonging to such a caring and inspiring community. Being part of Dynamica has been a gift, and I will carry those memories with me always. I wish all our past and current members every happiness and every success for the future."

A fantastic festive concert! Such talented and amazing young people

Wow! What an amazing Christmas concert!
You guys absolutely rocked it!

Im so proud of you all, well done to everyone single one of you for such an a brilliant performance. The feedback from our audience was so positive and im sure everyone is feeling 100% festive after hearing such wonderful music.

From our new junior band to our "oldies" in the senior ensembles, you all performed so well. All the hard work that youve been putting in during rehearsals really showed tonight.

Thank you to our staff team, our musical director Arlene and brass instructors Gregor and Calum, Volunteer staff members Brian, Adam, Aidan, Finn and Erin and our Young Leaders Eilidh and Karis, you all do so much of the work behind the scenes helping Dynamica run. From taking the register and running tuckshop to keeping all our spreadsheet and accounts up to date and mentoring our younger players.

Thank you all for your time, effort and dedication to all the young people in Dynamica.

Thanks to Rebecca and Lucas, returning as guest players to play with Dynamica again. It was lovely to see you back playing.

Thanks also to our wonderful hosts Westwood Parish Church, the volunteers who helped with our interval refreshments and everyone else who helped make it such a successful concert

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year when it comes

David

Tonights the night folks! Bring along your friends and family for a great night of festive entertainment, mince pies and refreshments and more. Remember some cash for our tombola stall where you can win lots of fantastic prizes

Our 2025 Christmas concert, Winter Showcase takes place on Sunday 14th of December at 7pm within our usual venue, Westwood Parish Church.
Doors open from 6:50pm

As always, we would welcome along any friends, family or band supporters along to join us in a night of festive brass and support the band!

Tickets £7 Adults, Kids go free are available on the door

Tickets should be purchased in advance where possible. Please send the correct amount in an envelope with your child's name on it at next weeks rehearsal to purchase.

FINAL REMINDER OF CONCERT ARRANGEMENTS

We ask that all band members are at the Westwood Parish Church in time for a 4:30pm start on Sunday 14th.

Concert Uniform (as decided by a vote of all the band members on Monday) is to wear black
trousers / skirt and a festive jumper / Christmas / sparkly top instead of our usual white shirt and tie.

Wearing Santa hats, antlers etc is welcomed! PLEASE NO TINSEL AS IT MAKES TOO MUCH MESS

We will provide dinner to all band members free of charge.

CHRISTMAS TOMBOLA

Our ever popular concert tombola will be back for the Christmas concert with tickets being sold before the concert and during the interval.

Please consider donating something for our raffle prize table. Previous donations have included bottles, chocolate, sweets, candles, smellies, bath bombs, gift set etc.

Any donations can be brought to the rehearsal next week or on the evening of the concert.

VOLUNTEERS

I will be looking for a few volunteers more to assist in laying out the cakes, serving tea and coffee and clearing up after the interval. I have 1 so far but would like another couple. If you are able to assist with this, please let me know by messaging the band mobile. It really is a massive help on the night.

CONCERT PROGRAMME COMPETITION

This year we are again holding a competition for all our members across all ensembles to design a cover for our Christmas concert programme.
The title this year is “Winter Showcase”.
Please complete your entry on a piece of white A4 paper. You may use any pens, paint, computer graphics etc you wish. Entries must be handed in to a member of staff at the rehearsal on Monday 8th December and the prize winner will be announced at the Christmas concert. You must include the following information on the design.

WINTER SHOWCASE
SUNDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2025
WESTWOOD PARISH CHURCH

Good luck everyone

Thanks for your support

David

Our 2025 Christmas concert, Winter Showcase takes place on Sunday 14th of December at 7pm within our usual venue, Westwood Parish Church.
Doors open from 6:50pm

As always, we would welcome along any friends, family or band supporters along to join us in a night of festive brass and support the band!

Tickets £7 Adults, Kids go free are available on the door

Tickets should be purchased in advance where possible. Please send the correct amount in an envelope with your child's name on it at next weeks rehearsal to purchase.

FINAL REMINDER OF CONCERT ARRANGEMENTS

We ask that all band members are at the Westwood Parish Church in time for a 4:30pm start on Sunday 14th.

Concert Uniform (as decided by a vote of all the band members on Monday) is to wear black
trousers / skirt and a festive jumper / Christmas / sparkly top instead of our usual white shirt and tie.

Wearing Santa hats, antlers etc is welcomed! PLEASE NO TINSEL AS IT MAKES TOO MUCH MESS

We will provide dinner to all band members free of charge.

CHRISTMAS TOMBOLA

Our ever popular concert tombola will be back for the Christmas concert with tickets being sold before the concert and during the interval.

Please consider donating something for our raffle prize table. Previous donations have included bottles, chocolate, sweets, candles, smellies, bath bombs, gift set etc.

Any donations can be brought to the rehearsal next week or on the evening of the concert.

VOLUNTEERS

I will be looking for a few volunteers more to assist in laying out the cakes, serving tea and coffee and clearing up after the interval. I have 1 so far but would like another couple. If you are able to assist with this, please let me know by messaging the band mobile. It really is a massive help on the night.

CONCERT PROGRAMME COMPETITION

This year we are again holding a competition for all our members across all ensembles to design a cover for our Christmas concert programme.
The title this year is “Winter Showcase”.
Please complete your entry on a piece of white A4 paper. You may use any pens, paint, computer graphics etc you wish. Entries must be handed in to a member of staff at the rehearsal on Monday 8th December and the prize winner will be announced at the Christmas concert. You must include the following information on the design.

WINTER SHOWCASE
SUNDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2025
WESTWOOD PARISH CHURCH

Good luck everyone

Thanks for your support

David

Competition Time 🎄Final reminder to bring your designs tonight!

We are holding our annual competition for all of our members across all ensembles to design a cover for our Christmas concert programme.

The title this year is ‘Winter Showcase’

Entries must be submitted on Monday the 8th December and the prize winner will be announced at the concert.

It must include the title, date/time (Sun 14th Dec, 7pm) Good luck everyone 🗒🖍🎨

Remember folks, rehearsal is on as normal tonight

6pm till 745 for junior /INT band

7pm till 9pm for senior band

Not long to go till the Christmas concert so please make every effort to come along to every rehearsal

Thanks
David

Happy Birthday to one of our Volunteer Staff members Erin!

As you can see Erin has been involved in Dynamica for quite a few years, now dedicating her time to helping the next generation develop a love of music, make new friends and learn new skills.

From all at Dynamica we hope you've had an amazing day

CHRISTMAS CONCERT CHANGE OF DATE

As already communicated via letter at our last rehearsal, due to a clash with several school concerts we have had to change the date of the Chrismas concert from Monday 15 December.

The Christmas concert will now take place on

SUNDAY 14TH DECEMBER
7PM TILL 9PM

(Rehearsal will likely begin around 430pm/5pm as normal however exact times will be posted next week)

Thanks for your support
David

Thanks to all the staff and young leaders who attended our staff training evening tonight. The team had inputs on child protection / safeguarding young people as well as first aid and dealing with emergencies.

Everyone should take time to learn basic first aid and lifesaving skills. You never know when you might need them.

The BHF has some fantastic videos and a handy app which let's anyone practice at home. It takes just 15 minutes to complete their CPR training

https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/how-to-do-cpr/learn-cpr-in-15-minutes