Lee Bathgate, one of the two Core Tutors in the Kingdom Brass Youth Initiative, started playing cornet at the age of seven under the tuition and guidance of the late Andrew Lindsay. He began his solo career soon afterwards and gained considerable recognition throughout Scotland, winning nearly all major junior solo events.

Much of his solo success was down to the guidance and mentoring from the late James Greer. James Greer was the principal cornet and band master with the Royal Corp of Signals for over 20 years before retiring to Kelty and being united with Lee. He refined Lee's performances and gave him a more soloistic approach.

His record of 31 wins out of a possible 32 for Regional Qualifiers, Scottish Junior titles and School titles from 1979 - 1987 has yet to be equalled. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that his main competitors throughout this period were Laurie Gargan (Principal Trumpet with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and Singapore Philharmonic Orchestra) and the unquestionably talented soloist and conductor, Russell Gray.

Lee also managed to pick up a number of senior titles during his earlier years, but there was only one title that had eluded him throughout his solo career and that was the Scottish Solo title. However, he finally managed to secure that title in 2000.

From a banding perspective, Lee started on 3rd cornet at Lochgelly Brass Band at eight years old and quickly moved through the ranks until he took over the reigns as principal cornet at the age of 13 while the band were still in the championship section. Lee stayed in the top cornet seat until 1995 where he moved to Whitburn and took up the position of bumper-up. After a two year spell covering a few performances at the Royal Albert Hall, Lee finally took up the opportunity to return back to Fife as principal cornet with the Kelty and Blairadam Band. In 1999 when Kelty merged with the Cowdenbeath, he relished the opportunity of leading the cornet section with a band that had the potential to become a major force in the banding world.

Throughout Lee's musical career he has always had the backing and complete support of his parents. Many a cold night was spent heading through to a piano accompanist's house for a 30 minute run through of a solo, or getting taken to a hall somewhere in Airdrie to play a few solos in a concert, or playing on countless nights at charity events.