Granite City Brass Band recently celebrated the award of a brace of Scottish Brass Band Association Life Membership Awards.

The prestigious medals were presented by the Band President Edward Paley to Clark Wallace and John Benzie, who between them have given a marvellous 117 years of service to Scottish banding.

Stalwarts

Clark Wallace commenced playing in 1953 at Kilbirnie Corps of The Salvation Army, before later moving to Aberdeen and joining Aberdeen Citadel Salvation Army Band. In 1995 he also joined Granite City Brass.

The prestigious medals were presented by the Band President Edward Paley to Clark Wallace and John Benzie, who between them have given a marvellous 117 years of service to Scottish banding4BR

Instructor

Over the years he has served as bandmaster, deputy bandmaster and youth band leader at Aberdeen Citadel Corps and has also been involved as an instructor at a number of Salvation Army music schools. In his time with UDI/Granite City Brass he has held the positions of Band Manager and Band Secretary.

Clark has completed 59 years in banding, and continues to thoroughly enjoy his involvement with the two aforementioned bands.

Faithful service

Meanwhile, John Benzie started playing in 1954 with Stoneywood Works Silver Band, later to become UDI then Granite City Brass.

Apart from a couple of short breaks, he has given faithful service with Stoneywood Works Silver Band, UDI and Granite City Brass for the last 58 years.

Record

He has also been the band librarian since he was in his late teens – possibly a record and an outstanding achievement in its own right. It should also be said that the organisation of the band library is highly professional and second to none.

John also continues to greatly enjoy his playing and librarianship and looks forward to maintaining this involvement for many years to come.