We are looking for musicians
to join us at our rehearsals in Kirkintilloch each Wednesday evening
- so if you can play at a standard good enough to perform our kind
of music then please
contact the KVO.
At the KVO it's all about having fun in a relaxed and informal setting, making music
together and providing an entertaining experience for our
audience, whether sitting or dancing! We believe that if
the band is having fun then the audience will, too! Our
music reflects this ethos and is every bit as lively and
engaging as we are. So come and join us, either playing
your instrument in the band or tapping your feet in the
audience.
We practice on a Wednesday throughout the year and are always
looking for new members. So, if you can play a
instrument, can read music to a competent level, and have a
good sense of humour then we are the band for you! If
you are interested in hiring or joining us, please contact us.
Kirkintilloch Variety Orchestra Concert Kirkintilloch Town Hall November 1984
The history of the K.V.O. Big Band dates back pre 2nd World
War, when they were a vital part of the famous Kirkintilloch
Players Amateur Dramatic Club, who met originally in
Washington Street. In those premises, the small ensemble of
musicians would get together and practice various pieces,
which would then be performed at intervals, scene changes of
the productions performed by the dramatic society. The
orchestra, as it was in those days, was an integral part of
the Players Club, and all the other factions of the club
including workshop groups, electricians, artists, wardrobe,
personnel etc, all existed as a happy family, working
tirelessly towards the next production, which would take place
in the now closed Kirkintilloch Town Hall.
By 1962, the orchestra had grown to approximately 40
musicians, and this was due to a great extent, to children
receiving instrumental tuition at school. Even today, the
majority, of the musicians in the band, have been through this
system, or are currently going through the system.
The Musical Director in 1962 was Mr. Jimmy McLellan, who was
the founder of what you see now the K.V.O. Big Band, so
called because the Orchestra had evolved from ensemble work
pre-war, to the sounds of Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington. The
band continued to grow in strength and numbers, and became a
separate entity in its own right, and now plays regularly for
various charitable organizations, Church Groups, British
Legions etc.
Kirkintilloch Variety Orchestra Concert Programme from November 1984
- click to zoom Sadly,
Jimmy McLellan died in 1990, leaving this wonderful legacy to
the people of Kirkintilloch, and bequeathed the baton to Mrs.
Lorraine Sherry, who has continued to the present day, with a
break of four or five years, when the baton was taken on by
Mr. Arthur Short of Bishopbriggs.
The music played today is a mixture of Big Band Classics like
Glenn Millers In the Mood or Moonlight Serenade to Andrew
Lloyd Webbers Jesus Christ Superstar to the Blues
Brothers and the Drifters --- quite a variety of
different styles of music.
Members come from all walks of life including Doctors,
Teachers, Technicians, Chauffeurs and retired folk. We are
constantly on the look-out for new members and school pupils
who are receiving instrumental instruction at present, as they
are the future of the K.V.O.
There is quite a family history within the K.V.O.
Lorraines father George, was one of the original members
pre-war, along with Jimmy MacLellan and Willie Fountain, and
played with the band right up to just before he died in 2000
at the age of 85. Her brother John played trombone, along with
his wife Collette, and her husband David, plays bass guitar.
Who says nepatism is dying out!
We are proud of our origins and heritage with the
Kirkintilloch Players, who gave us a starting point, but we
look to the future with great deal of anticipation and
excitement, as the band continues to evolve, and we thank
everyone, audiences and the band members themselves for their
invaluable support.
St Mungo's Church
"The audience clapped in time, and thoroughly entered into the spirit of the performance, as well as doing the moves to YMCA. The Kirk Session, congregation, and IM of St Mungo's want to thank all who took part in what proved to be an extremely worthwhile event"
Killermont Parish Church
"Just want to say a huge thank you for all your efforts last night. That was a great evening of entertainment and you could tell by the audience reaction that people were having a good time! Many thanks for putting Bethany forward as the recipients of ticket receipts. It is so encouraging when people offer to support Bethany and please pass on my thanks to all the band who so willingly gave of their time. Please keep in touch and let me know when the band is playing in the future as I am sure I know people who would be keen to attend."