Just five years ago, Galashiels Town Band sat in their band room rehearsing for not much more than small engagements - with core of just five or so players around the stands.
However, following a remarkable renaissance this concert saw them provide musical entertainment on a much grander scale - with their trio of bands joined by star soloists Russell Gary and Les Neish.
Packed weekend
The pair were in the borders for a packed weekend of workshops lessons and masterclasses; culminating in this showcase for the people of the Borders town.
Galashiels Town Band kicked off proceedings with a rousing rendition of ‘Death or Glory’, before segueing into Alan Fernie’s arrangement of ‘The Ugly Duckling’.
Splendid form and plumbing
Les Neish was on splendid form with the multi skill set ‘The Cariocca’, before providing a wonderful display of lyricism with ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’.
Earlier in the day, 20 people turned up (10 of who had never even touched an instrument before - including two 3 year olds beaming with delight) to enjoy a masterclass with Les, Russell and Alan Fernie, where they made their own instruments out of hose pipes and funnels.
Now was their chance to show the audience what they had achieved - and much to everyone’s delight it was a triumph in a performance of Fredrick Kampstra’s ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ like you have never seen before.
Highlight
The band then wrapped up the first half up with a lyrical rendition of ‘Anthem’ from the musical, ‘Chess’.
The Junior Band’s fine contribution saw them deliver a quartet of music by Alan Fernie and Garry Young, showing just how hard they have been working. The highlight was principal cornet player Eilidh Gray standing without music to deliver a great rendition of ‘Laura Lee’.
The Youth Band also impressed with their trio of pieces; ‘The Great Escape’, ‘Abba Gold’ and ‘Toccata in D Minor’ - with Les Neish giving a welcome hand on the pedal note pumps!
Great evening
The Senior Band then returned for the second half with Eric Ball’s ‘Petite Suite de Ballet’ and the beautiful ‘Irish Blessing’ before Russell Gray took the spotlight for ‘Zelda’ and the bucolic ‘Share my Yoke’
With the upbeat ‘Sunshine on Leith’ and the 1940’s classic ‘Blueberry Hill’ to follow, the concert closed with ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ featuring some superb trombone playing from Alan Fernie.
The ‘Post Horn Gallop’ encore - with every bit of salvage plumbing again used (from hosepipe and kitchen sink to gent’s toilet!) rounded off a great evening’s entertainment and a clear sign that brass banding is very much alive and kicking in Galashiels.
