Sad passing of Archie Hutchison, a towering figure in Scottish banding

The Scottish Brass Band Association is saddened to learn of the passing of a true stalwart of the banding community.

Archie Hutchison passed away peacefully at home at the age of 86. The former player, conductor and honorary president of Dalmellington Band was known for his musicality and witty sense of humour.

From learning to play the cornet at the age of 10, he became one of Scotland’s finest exponents of the instrument.

Archie was cornet tutor at the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland and also worked at a summer school for brass and military musicians in Ireland in the mid-1970s.

He served as resident conductor of Whitburn Band under Major Peter Parkes during the 1990s. He also conducted Kirkintilloch in the late 80s and early 90s, guiding the band through many fine performances and contest successes.

As resident conductor of the then CWS (Glasgow) Band in 1993, he led the band on a tour of Australia and New Zealand, continuing in the role for several years. He was also a player with the band during a period of considerable contest success, including the 1996 National Championship victory and second place in the 1997 European Championships.

He was also the musical director of Kingdom Brass for two years in the mid-2000s, a period which saw the band enjoy some very special moments, including competing at the Yamaha European Open Championships in 2003/04.

Other bands with which Archie enjoyed an association included Lochgelly, Newmilns & Galston, Broxburn & Livingston and Unison Kinneil.

He was recognised in 2012 with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Scottish Brass Band Association.

Archie lived and breathed Dalmellington Band, leading the players with a gentle, dry humour and with a sharp twinkle in his eye, where he will be remembered as an outstanding player and conductor.

Banding colleagues have been quick to pay tribute. In a particularly poignant message, Dalmellington flugel player Lindsay Roxburgh Orr commented: “Archie oozed class and finesse, as well as precision and passion. He loved a ‘proper’ sound, never let you play nastily, and had a delicacy and respect for ‘older’ music.

“As a Dalmellington player and conductor, Archie connected with the band on a professional and personal level which was deep rooted and achieved so naturally. He had a way of being the conductor but also a father figure within the band – always respected, but always fun and approachable if you needed him. Archie was always youthful.”

A Facebook post from Kingdom Brass eulogised: “To say that Archie was a gentleman hardly does the man justice. He was warm, generous, approachable and always willing to share his knowledge and experience. He possessed a wonderfully sharp wit and a fantastic sense of humour, and there are undoubtedly countless stories and memories of Archie that will bring a smile to the faces of those fortunate enough to have known him."

Despite his diminutive stature, Archie truly was a towering figure in Scottish banding ­– as an accomplished cornet player, conductor, adjudicator and tutor – and all round brass band legend who will be remembered as a formidable musician who could offer insightful guidance and encouragement to players of all standards.

He will be sadly missed by all who came to know him and our thoughts and prayers go out to Archie’s family, friends and members of Dalmellington Band.