Everyone loves a success story – no more so than when after a tough period, a setback, one comes out the other side fighting.

Galashiels Town Band embodies such a tale to a tee. 

Proud history

A band with a proud 179 year history, it had gradually diminished to a mere five players only a few years ago. Until, that was, the arrival of its current Musical Director, Stuart Black.

Stuart oozes drive and determination from every pore, and the fruits of his labour with this flourishing band are rapidly becoming clear for all to see.

As the sun started to set on a splendid spring evening in the Borders, the concert was opened by Gala’s senior band, including a spectacular show from guest for the weekend, Les Neish.

No stranger

No stranger to Scottish audiences, Les had been busy working with Gala’s younger players prior to the evening’s concert.

Dazzling in ‘Czardas’ and showing plaintive reflection in ‘He Wipes the Tear from Every Eye’, Les continues to leave audiences spellbound with his performances wherever he goes, which is never one place for very long (a brief trip home to Northern Ireland after the concert was to be immediately followed by 7 days in the USA with Brass Band of Battle Creek).

Satisfaction

Of great satisfaction is what happened next.

The almighty recruitment drive which has revolutionised the youth brass band scene in Scotland was seen in its full glory, as Gala’s junior and youth bands both took to the stage to perform programmes which were bold and assured.

Bands have realised the only way to flourish is to build for the future with a youth set-up, and this organisation is already reaping the benefits – as are the young musicians.

An honour was bestowed upon one of the senior band’s horn players, as Kathleen Hogg was made a life member following her decision to retire.

Energetic

Another set from the seniors, including a duet between Les Neish and Gala’s solo euphonium player Iain Wilson in ‘The Prayer’, was wrapped up with a typically energetic performance of Andrew Duncan’s ‘Loch Lomond’, featuring bagpiper Drew Ness.

All three bands then came together and maestro Black passed the baton to Alan Fernie, who concluded the evening with his own ‘African Funk’. A teacher and mentor of Stuart, Alan was full of praise for his protégé’s efforts.

Milestone

This concert was a milestone for Galashiels Town Band; it was the first for many years in which the organisation didn’t rely on other bands to make up numbers in the proceedings.

Yes, a couple of guest soloists further whetted the musical appetites but this was to be Gala’s night.

Furthermore, it all took place in front of a packed audience.

Success? You bet.

Mark Good