*
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    


jOHN gILLAM

Death of John Gillam

May 4 • The death has been announced of the hugely respected player and administrator.


British Open

Result: 2026 Spring Festival Grand Shield

May 3 • Milnrow claims the Grand Shield honours to return to the British Open with Hepworth joining them.


British Open

Result: 2026 Spring Festival Senior Cup

May 2 • Kirkintilloch claims the Senior Cup honours as Rainford, Tongwynlais Temperance and East London Brass join them in the Grand Shield in 2027.


2026 Spring Festival

Result: 2026 Spring Festival Senior Trophy

May 2 • Sandhurst Silver claims the Senior Trophy honours as Sovereign Brass, Unite Scotland Kinneil and Yorkshire Imperial are also promoted to the Senior Cup.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

May 3 • The band requires an Eb bass player for our First section band conducted by Jack Fisher. . We have a varied and expanding programme of events throughout the year, including our very well attended, themed concerts.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

May 3 • The band requires a Cornet player (Position negotiable) for our First section band conducted by Jack Fisher.. We have a varied and expanding programme of events throughout the year, including our very well attended, themed concerts.


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Bb Basses. With Colin Dance now appointed as our MD and our other Bb Bass leaving due to work commitments, we have openings for two Bb basses. We are a friendly community (4th section?) band with a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the Park.


Howard J Evans

MA (Dist), Mus.B (hons), ARCM (hons), LRAM, LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, composer, arranger, tutor and pianist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd