*
banner

Neish to top out Galashiels rebuilding work

Tuba star set to spread the brass masterclass word in a rebuilt Galashiels this weekend.

Les Neish
 

Galashiels Town Band has announced that they will be teaming up this weekend with tuba virtuoso Les Neish for a series of workshops.

Workshops

Les will lead two of his highly popular workshop events with the youngsters in the band on Saturday, before putting their senior counterparts through their paces on the Sunday. In between Les will be the featured soloist in a concert on the Saturday night.

Rebuilding

The event comes as a result of over two and half years of solid rebuilding for the Galashiels organisation, as MD Stuart Black told 4BR: "Around 3 years ago the band was sitting with around 5 players and not doing a huge amount. Since then a huge amount of work and commitment has seen both young and old players grow in enthusiasm and ability, and to now be putting our first concert on our own with only our three bands being used is a great milestone.

It’s a huge credit to the hard work by the players and the phenomenal committee we have working here."

It’s a huge credit to the hard work by the players and the phenomenal committee we have working hereMD, Stuart Black

Passion

He continued: "I have worked with Les a couple of times now and his passion and enthusiasm for what he does is inspiring.

I’m sure the weekend will prove to be equally inspiring for the players and for the audience at the concert."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


podcast

Podcast: Whisky High Notes: Episode 1

March 26 • Composer agent and whisky lover, Dr. Naomi Belshaw is joined by Sam McShane, Artistic Director of Kings Place to talk about whisky and classical music...


BrookWright

BrookWright Music: New Jerusalem (Kenneth Downie)

March 26 • A upbeat march to put a concert audience in an immediate good mood from Kenneth Downie.


Guildhall

Guildhall Solo Competition entries now open

March 26 • If you are a brass or percussion player aged 9-18 and Grade 3 and above, them why not enjoy yourself in competition and in finding out more about your playing skills...


Tine Thing Helseth

Best Classical Recording Award for Tine Thing Helseth

March 26 • The Norwegian trumpet soloist has won a prestigious Spellemannprisen for Best Classical Recording for her latest release, 'Echoes'.


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 26 March • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Trombone Octet

Friday 27 March • Oompah Brass XXL. Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Brass Bands England - 2026 National Youth Brass Band Championships

Saturday 28 March • King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2UA


The Hepworth Band - Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 18 April • Huddersfield Town Hall HD1 2TA


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 29 May • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Chinnor Silver

March 27 • We are a friendly progressive 1st Section band who need a couple of seats filled.. Bb BASS and PERCUSSIONIST are on our wanted list so if you are looking for a new banding challenge get in contact. We rehearse on Wednesdays and have good realistic diary.


Newport Borough Brass Band

March 27 • After a respectable 4th place in the 2nd Section at the Welsh Area Contest, we are looking for FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable) 1st BARITONE, 2ND TROMBONE and Bb BASS players to come and join us on our journey under the baton of Martin McHale BEM.


East London Brass

March 27 • PERCUSSION - ELB are the look out for a percussionist to complement our existing section. We have a sensible diary of contests and concerts and are ambitious to keep progressing as a band.


Paul Andrews


Conductor, Band trainer, Adjudicator, Instrument Repairer - Brasstoff


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd