West Lothian Schools Brass Band played at Brian Duguid’s funeral service in December 2005, which was held in Mid Calder Parish Church. As manager of Arts and Cultural Services for West Lothian, Brian was instrumental in developing the district’s policy for the Arts and Instrumental Music, encouraging the free teaching of music in schools from primary 6 onwards. Brian was also a strong supporter of the West Lothian Schools Brass Band, and he helped to provide the opportunity to achieve the success which the band has enjoyed over the years. At the time, the band’s musical director Nigel Boddice MBE hatched a plan to return to the church in the future under more joyous circumstances. The result of this was a concert on Tuesday 20th February 2007, featuring principally trombone orientated music and guest soloist Gary McPhee. Gary played with the mighty Black Dyke Band and featured on the ‘Meditation - Brett Baker’ CD. Gary then moved to Norway as principal trombone for Molde Brass which is where Nigel Boddice and Gary first met. This resulted in Molde Brass visiting Scotland for a short tour, which included a concert in conjunction with the WLSBB entitled ‘The Vikings meet the Celts’ in November 2004. Garry is currently studying for a Masters Degree at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Some of the band’s players also swapped instruments to play trombone for some of the pieces.
Not surprising then that the evening kicked off with ‘76 Trombones’ by Meredith Williams, from the musical comedy ‘The Music Man’.
Although it was an evening featuring trombones, there was still time for the band’s principal cornet, Sussanah Downs, to give an excellent performance of ‘Share My Yoke’, by Joy Webb.
Firmly back into trombone territory for the band’s third piece of the evening featuring their guest soloist Gary McPhee, ‘In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning’, written by Dave Mann & Bob Hilliard, and arranged by Alan Fernie.
A complete change of pace and style followed with ‘African Funk’ by Alan Fernie, influenced by the music of the ‘Brazz Brothers’.
The band turned to George Gershwin next for ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’.
Alan Fernie also composed the next piece ‘Sad and Blue’, featuring a trombone trio.
Continuing the trombone trio theme, but with a completely contrasting tempo, the band then gave us ‘Blades of Toledo’ by T.L. Sharpe.
Slowing things down a little, the next item was the traditional ‘Rowan Tree’ arranged by Adrian Drover.
It was to the music of Lennon & McCartney that the band tuned next as they played ‘Hey Jude’, arranged by Derek Broadbent.
To Ireland next for the traditional air ‘Carrickfergus’, arranged by Stephen Roberts.
An old favourite of the band’s was next up - Bizet’s ‘Deep Inside the Sacred Temple’ from the Pearl Fishers, but instead of the usual euphonium duet, the band’s principal euphonium, Isla Cameron, turned to her second instrument, the trombone, and joined forces with the guest trombone soloist, Gary McPhee, to produce a different version of the piece.
More trombones next and an increase in tempo for another trombone trio ‘Rocking Trombones’, again by Alan Fernie.
The band’s penultimate offering of the evening was Goff Richards ‘I Will Follow Him’, featuring three trombones and flugelhorn.
To round off the evening, the final item was ‘Vitae Lux’ by Frode Alnaes, arranged by Torstein Aagaard Nilsen.
A most appreciative audience had been treated to an excellent evening’s entertainment form all over the world - Africa, Scotland, Spain and Ireland, to name but a few. Just the thing to raise your spirits on a cold, dark February evening.
It had been a bit of a tight squeeze fitting the band into the magnificent surrounding of Mid Calder Parish Church, but it had definitely been worth it. And, hopefully it had also swollen the coffers of the church into the bargain.
