The Riverside Youth Band recently welcomed tuba virtuoso Les Neish for a day of musical fun and games as it continues to add new players to its ranks.

Come and Play

The Besson artist led more than 30 youngsters, some of whom had never picked up an instrument before, through a packed 'Come and Play' Open Day which saw them build and perform their own instruments made from hosepipes with help from fellow tutors Alan Fernie and Stuart Black.

The event which was supported by Besson, Band Supplies and Port Glasgow B&Q, culminated in an evening concert in Port Glasgow Town Hall featuring Les alongside Riverside Youth Band and Renfrew Burgh Band, conducted by Mark Good.

Inspired

Mark told 4BR: "Everyone at Riverside has been inspired by Les and his colleagues Alan and Stuart.

"Les kept everyone engaged throughout — from his warm-up and rhythm games through to building hosepipes and dazzling the audience in the concert.

It was an honour to welcome the trio to work with the Riverside Youth Band and we hope to see them back in Inverclyde very soon."

Spellbound

Les left audience members spellbound with his performances of Arban's 'Carnival of Venice' and 'He Wipes the Tear', arranged by Steve Sykes.

Reflecting on the day, Les told 4BR: "It was a busy but so rewarding from start to finish. Everything was well organised and the workshop was so much fun. Everybody joined in with so much energy and the concert was a wonderful showcase."

He added: "It was great to see young players who had never played an instrument before performing in the concert, and I know many have already signed up to be part of the Riverside Youth Band organisation."

It was a busy but so rewarding from start to finish. Everything was well organised and the workshop was so much fun. Everybody joined in with so much energy and the concert was a wonderful showcaseLes Neish

Premiere

The evening concert saw further celebrations for Riverside Youth Band, as it performed the world premiere of Alan Fernie's 'Clydebuilt', commissioned by the band to depict Inverclyde's proud shipbuilding heritage.

Young players who had designed their own hosepipe instruments performed at the concert in The Lion Sleeps Tonight before the bands joined forces for a grand finale, bringing proceedings to a close.