Bruce Fraser a sad loss to music

 It is with great sadness we hear of the passing of Bruce Fraser, a true gentleman and friend to many in the music world.  The large number of tributes that have appeared on facebook and other publications, is witness to the respect he had from fellow musicians.

 Bruce was described as a multi-faceted composer with the range of titles for young brass and wind bands, test pieces at all levels and  arrangements. He has composed many commissions for a variety of groups, including a 20 minute Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra for John Wallace and ‘SUN’ for BBC Young Brass player Katrina Marzella. 

He has been conducting brass bands, choirs and wind bands for over thirty five years. As an adjudicator he has appeared at many Music Festivals, Brass Band Competitions and Wind Band Festivals throughout the country, he was president of the Jury at a Wind Band Festival in Italy, a Brass Band Competition in Holland and on the panel of Jurors at a Composition Competition in Italy.

 For many years he was Head of Music at Buckhaven High School in Fife  from which he took early retirement  to concentrate and develop his career as a composer and adjudicator. His work IMPERIUM was selected as the Third Section National Test Piece at Harrogate National Championships a few years ago. Adjudication duties included  the National Mineworkers in Skegness and the Borders Entertainment Contest in Selkirk and Brass in the Park in Newtongrange,  West Lothian Festival and many more,

Bruce was involved with choral groups and was commissioned to arrange and write music for a number of them.

A sad loss indeed to music and in particular to the brass and wind band organisations  he was involved with as a composer, adjudicator and teacher.

Sincere condolences   to his wife Pat and all the family from the Scottish Brass Band Association.