Musical Tribute Raises Funds for Road Safety Charity
Dunaskin Doon Secretary Fiona Waddington reports on an uplifting concert held in memory of popular trombonist Joan Price last Saturday evening.
“There was barely a dry eye in the house as the Joan Price Memorial Concert came to a resounding close on Saturday night. It was hard not to be deeply moved by the sight and sound of almost 100 musicians playing their hearts out for popular trombonist Joan, who was killed in a hit and run accident earlier this year as she travelled home from a band rehearsal.
Joan had a long and illustrious career in brass banding, beginning at the tender age of 11 years old when she first picked up trombone at Kilmarnock Academy. Her tragic death in January left all who knew her devastated and heart broken. The wider brass community shared Dunaskin’s grief, as was evident in the number of supportive, encouraging messages from bands across Scotland and beyond. These continue to bring immeasurable comfort to the band and, more importantly, to Joan’s family, who take great pride in how highly regarded Joan was, both as a wonderful person and a player.
The concert, held in Kyle Academy Theatre, brought together three bands with whom Joan was associated over the years - Kilmarnock Concert Brass (of which Joan was a founder member), Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band and Dunaskin Doon Band. The family chose Brake, the road safety charity, as beneficiaries of any monies raised at the concert. Local councillor and ex-trombonist, Donald Reid, was our excellent compère for the evening.
Massed band in action
Kilmarnock Concert Brass led by MD Scott Walker was the first band on stage. Kilmarnock’s programme was diverse, featuring everything from movie themes (‘Mission Impossible’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’) to the beautiful Manchester Hymn Tune and the Guns ‘n’ Roses classic Welcome to the Jungle. Principal cornet player, Tracy Calderwood, delighted the packed audience with Where is Love? from Oliver!
Ice cream, generously donated by Varani’s Forum Café in Kilmarnock, was on sale at the interval before Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band, led by MD Helen Douthwaite-Teasdale took to the stage.
With a trip to the Nationals in Cheltenham later this month, the band was in tip top condition. They opened with a rousing rendition of Sing Sing Sing followed by the gorgeous Dear Lord and Father of Mankind. We visited Ireland next with Loch Erin Shore and then it was back home for Alan Fernie’s Scottish Dances. The band’s young percussionist, Zach Mitchell, shone on xylophone playing Flight of the Bumblebee.
A second interval allowed the audience to stretch their legs while the stage was set for Dunaskin Doon Band. Under the baton of Chris Bradley, the band opened with When Thunder Calls followed by Dan Price’s Starburst. The band used visuals to take the audience on a journey into space and it was house lights down to help create the galactic atmosphere. Tenor horn soloist, Emma McTaggart, enthralled the audience with her lyrical flare on Rainforest and the band then got the toes tapping with a big band set featuring Opus One, Only have Eyes for You and Mack the Knife. The band closed with Peter Graham’s inspiring To Boldly Go, some stunning cornet, flugel and euphonium solo work in the quiet section bringing many to tears, especially as the visuals depicted Joan laughing, dancing and larking around with her band mates over the years. A standing ovation from the appreciative audience almost had the band in tears!
Dunaskin Doon Band with Chris Bradley
All bandsmen then took to the stage together – a little piece of history created, as it is the first time all three bands have appeared on stage together. The finale was really quite special! Several of Joan’s childhood banding friends were given brass instruments and invited to join the massed bands. Some still play while others haven’t tooted in years!
And so it was that almost 100 musicians, and Chris Bradley, treated the audience to a majestic 76 Trombones followed by a touching and heartfelt I Will Follow Him which had a lot of the audience reaching for the tissues again. Back in the day, Kilmarnock Concert Brass used to close every concert with Hootenanny and Joan absolutely loved it! It seemed only fitting that we close Joan’s special night in the way she’d have wanted and so Hootenanny it was, with audience participation! It was so well-received that we played it twice!
- Some of the 76 Trombones!
While the exact amount is not known quite yet, the band expect to have raised around £2,500 for Brake, which is a fantastic amount and testament to the generosity of the wonderful audience in attendance and all those who supported and donated to our cause. The concert was poignant and moving, yet also uplifting and celebratory, with a huge amount of love and support for Joan’s family tangible in the air. The friendship and camaraderie between the bands was evident, demonstrating the true spirit of banding. Joan Price was a very special individual, to whom family and friends meant the world. And what was evident on Saturday night, was that Joan meant the world to all of us too.”
Words: Fiona Waddington
Pictures: Linda Cairns, Personally Yours Photography
