Devastating loss of SBBA stalwart, treasurer and trustee Julie Nicoll
For the second time this week, the Scottish Brass Band Association has lost one of its own following the news that trustee and treasurer Julie Nicoll sadly passed away on Wednesday afternoon after losing her battle with cancer.
Julie, aged 46, who was a member of Kingdom Brass, played at all levels in Scottish banding, from the 4th to the Championship section, for almost 30 years.
After joining Tullis Russell Mills Band in 1995, she enjoyed spells with Shotts St Patrick’s, MacTaggart Scott Loanhead and Newtongrange Silver bands before transferring to Kingdom Brass in 2012.
She had served as president of the Brass in the Park organisation, overseeing the move to the Mining Museum in Newtongrange. She also served as secretary of the MacTaggart Scott Loanhead Band for five years.
Julie had been involved with SBBA from 2006 and in recent years was responsible for the IT and the on-stage PowerPoint presentations at banding events– including for the European Festival of Brass in 2014 – and administration of contest results.
She was also part of the stage management team for a number of years.
She was appointed interim treasurer in August 2014 before being formally elected to the position five months later. Since taking on the role, she has played an active role in the administration of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland through the management of course applications and payments, as well as investigating potential funding streams for SBBA and NYBBS whenever possible.
Julie held an MA (Hons) degree in Management, an MSc in Professional Education and Leadership and a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education. She spent ten years in retail and wholesale management prior to qualifying as a business education teacher. She was principal teacher in Business Studies at Perth High School.
Julie is survived by her husband Steve, also a Kingdom Brass player, and two younger sisters, Dawn and Amy. SBBA passes on its sincerest condolences to the family and her closest friends.
“Julie was undoubtedly a stalwart of SBBA for two decades and the wider banding community for almost 30 years and her passing will leave a huge hole in our administration team which will be hard to fill,” said SBBA president Carrie Boax.
“As an organisation, we send our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to her family, fellow musicians, work colleagues and close friends.”
Details of funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
