Tuba star Les Neish recently led a wonderful workshop day in Newton Stewart.

Inspirational

Despite a recent bout of illness Les proved to be an inspirational leader right from the word go by leading off with a series of fun but meaningful exercises, before moving into a full day of playing activities

In the afternoon, Les led a workshop band of players of all ages who had only been playing for about a year through several pieces of music which would form part of the evening’s concert.

Terrific

The group opened the concert in terrific style, before the senior Creetown Silver Band performed a series of lighter concert repertoire, including accompanying Les on ‘Four Preludes for Tuba and Brass Band’ by Philip Greenwood and ‘Song for The Skies’ by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

Les also performed ‘Bass in the Ballroom’ and some unaccompanied music, showing off the various tricky techniques and sounds which can be achieved on a tuba including singing happy birthday and playing at the same time! Les then joined the band’s bass section for the final item ‘Trouble in the Air’.

His upbeat approach and ability to capture the imagination of the youngsters was brilliantCreetown Band

Brilliant

A Creetown spokesperson told 4BR: "His upbeat approach and ability to capture the imagination of the youngsters was brilliant.

We were so pleased with the results and felt that it had gone a long way to promote brass playing in the area by encouraging youngsters and firing up the enthusiasm of those already playing."