Brass Workshop Success
Eighty young brass and percussion players from across the Borders gathered in Galashiels at the end of April for a day of fantastic music making. Organised by the Scottish Borders Brass Band Association, the event has been hailed as a great success by its Chairman, Alan Fernie.
The young musicians were formed into three bands, and, after a day of rehearsal, presented an informal concert to a large and appreciative audience. The beginners band was made up of very young players, some of whom had been playing for as little as three or four months and their enthusiastic performance under the direction of Alan Fernie was all the more remarkable considering that they had only been together for two hours!
The talented and charismatic Northumbrian teacher and performer, David Dye, whose informal and unique approach to music making disguised a lot of wisdom and common sense, while highlighting the fact that learning should always be fun, directed the intermediate band. The warm applause from both the listeners and the perfomers told it's own story.
The Borders was indeed fortunate to secure the services of Nigel Boddice OBE to direct the A Band and this inspiration that this distinguished musician brought to the young players and the numerous adult helpers will be remembered for a long time. A particular highlight of their fine performance was from young Rory Watt from Selkirk, who turned up expecting to be part of the cornet team, but found himself as, not only, Flugel Horn soloist in "The Irish Blessing", but also as one half of a double act with the famous conductor! The band was led in fine style by Mark Caswell on principal cornet. Mark is from Hawick and is a member of Jedforest Instrumental Band.
Speaking at the conclusion of a successful, Alan Fernie commented that the full impact of such an event would be seen in the future, as brass bands in the Borders go from strength to strength. Another workshop was already in the planning stages for September, as part of the Borders Festival of Brass, and it is hoped that even more players will be able to take part.
