Perthshire Brass tribute to five life membership recipients

Huge congratulations to five members of Perthshire Brass – Gillian Brailsford, Harry Cooper, Jim Annan, Lindsay Kettles and Sandra Smith – who have been honoured by the Scottish Brass Band Association for their lengthy service to brass banding.

The quintet, who have a combined total of 220 years of banding between them, were presented with SBBA life membership medals at a special celebratory concert for which they were asked to chose music for the programme which had a particular significance to them, reflecting their years of playing with Perthshire Brass.

Among the guest at this memorable occasion in St Matthew’s Church, Perth, were Xander McDade, Provost of Perth & Kinross Council, SBBA secretary Tom Allan and Northern Counties Brass Band Association president Jim Wishart (pictured with Sandra Smith).

Gillian Brailsford’s brass band journey began under the guidance of the band's founder George Annan at Robert Douglas Memorial School in Scone. By 1985, she had found her home on tenor horn with Perthshire Youth Brass, and since 1988 she’s held the position of solo horn with exemplary consistency, dedication and musicianship.

Known affectionately as ‘Judith Chalmers’ because of her love of holidays, she’s toured with the band around the world – from New Zealand to the Bahamas – and has played in every Nationals Finals appearance the band has made.

Harry Cooper began playing cornet in 1955 with the Atherton Salvation Army Band where, after serving as both secretary and bandmaster, he became a Salvation Army officer in 1974. He continued to play as he moved across the UK from Alderney to Edinburgh and eventually to Perth.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Harry played with Perth Salvation Army Band and Perth Silver Band, later joining Clackmannan Brass and Callander Brass. Among his musical highlights are appearances at the National Finals in 1995 and 2014. As a member of Perth’s Rotary Club, he was instrumental in bringing the world-famous Black Dyke Band to the Concert Hall and has long championed his son Paul’s music.

Joining Perthshire Brass in 2019, Harry has become a much-loved mentor and steadying presence for the band. Even when facing major surgery in 2023, he delayed treatment to join the band’s tour to Perth's twin city of Aschaffenburg in Germany!

Jim Annan is the only remaining founding member of Perthshire Brass and has been part of the band’s journey since day one. His musical path began in Dundee in 1974, aged just nine, and continued after a family move to Methven the following year, when his dad – band founder George Annan – took up a post in Perth. 

In the 1980s and 90s, Jim was a mainstay on the front row, but also played flugel on a few occasions, most notably during the band’s Scottish Championships Third Section victory in 1993. Jimmy also continued playing with the band when work commitments took him away from Perth to Derby, making the journey North as often as he could.

Now chairperson and a proud member of the bass section, Jimmy brings not only musical strength but also guidance, care and a healthy dose of humour to the band. His recent 60th birthday and upcoming wedding to Tracey make this life membership recognition all the more special.

Lindsay Kettles’ musical journey began under the tutelage of George Annan, starting on French horn before moving to tenor horn. Lindsay quickly made her mark in local ensembles, including Perth Youth Orchestra and Perth Symphony Orchestra joining Perthshire Brass in 1990 and has been a cornerstone of the band ever since.

As the band's secretary, Lindsay works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. Her dedication extends to nurturing the next generation too, through tutoring Perth & Kinross Central Groups and supporting the youth band.

Sandra Smith was one of many rural pupils given a chance to learn a musical instrument and taught by the band's founder George Annan at ‘Saturday Morning School’. Starting on trumpet, then cornet, she moved to baritone in 1987 and has been a valued member of our lower brass section ever since, now playing euphonium.

Her calm confidence and quiet encouragement have helped shape Perthshire Brass for decades – from solo performances to supporting younger players, she embodies everything great about the brass band community

The concert programme chosen by the life membership recipients was:

Slaidburn

Dimensions

The Road and Miles to Dundee

MacArthur Park

Lloyd

Balkan Dance

Ashokan Farewell

Walk Like an Egyptian

Cuban Boy (Still Game!)

Misty

Floral Dance and Hootenanny – the big finish!

Jim Annan, Sandra Smith, Lindsay Kettles, Gillian Brailsford and Harry Cooper proudly show off their SBBA life membership medals