Some months ago, a considerable effort was made to get up a Brass Band, the object of which being that its performance during the summer evenings might add to the enjoyment of the inhabitants.
It is intended that the instruments shall be the property of the public and several influential gentleman have been appointed to act as trustees on its behalf among who are Dean of Guild Richardson, Colonel Cambell, Mr. Melville Jamieson and Mr. McLean, Procurator Fiscal.
A number of subscriptions have been obtained already and the papers are lying at a few of our principal shops for the purpose of clearing off the sum which is still due.
This excellent band which was recently organised by the Messrs. Pullar gave a promenade concert on the North Inch on Friday Evening. Mr. F.C. Goran conducted and there was a very large attendance of the public who highly appreciated the entertainment.
| ... | "British Lion" | Riviere |
| Quadrillies | "Black Watch" | Wilson |
| ... | "Danish Singers" | D.Godfrey |
| Waltz | "Edinburgh" | Bannisseau |
| ... | "Selections (Scotch)" | Cavallini |
| ... | "Scotia's Lasses" | Wilson |
| ... | "God Save the Queen" | ... |
On Friday night, the Messrs. Pullars entertained their employees and friends to a concert of vocal and instrumental music in the City Hall.
The hall was crowded to excess, among those who gave their patronage to the entertainment by their presence being Mr. and Mrs. James Pullar, family and party; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pullar, Mr.Rufus Pullar and Mr. Albert Pullar. Of a varied nature, the programme was an excellent one, and was carried through in a very successful manner.
The concert was opened by the band playing the chorals, which were followed by a part song, "Jingle Bells" by the choir. "The Smithy in the Wood" - a descriptive piece - was then played by the band and its catching tunefulness taking so well with the audience an encore had to be conceded.
Miss. M. Aitken sang "The Flowers of the Forest" with much pathos and power, and Mr. R.S. Robertson was so funny in a serenade that he had to respond to the hearty plaudits of the audience. Mr. Roberston rendered another song in the course of the evening and was equally successful. Mr. and Mrs. Gorin sang a duet from Travatore and Mr. T. Page gave a clarinet solo. A fantasia ("The Comical Band Contest") by the band caused some merriment, while the other selections that were played by the band gave them ample opportunity to exhibit their ability, and were much appreciated by the audience.
The choir also sang "Hail to the Land" and "Sing a Song of Sixpence" (humerous) and songs were ably sung by Miss. A. Mylie and Mr. T. Duff.
A great measure of the success which attended the concert is due to the efforts of Mr. F.C. Gorin while Mr. F.S. Graves proved an efficient accompanist.
Mr. Robert K. McFarlane, late bandmaster of Perth Trades Band, a prominent figure in Perth musical circles, passed away last week.
Born in Perth, deceased was employed for 49 years with Messrs Pullar & Sons. From his youngest days he was a talented musician and as a cornet player he took his place in Pullar's band, which ultimately became known as the Corporation Band, and finally the Perth Trades band. He attained to the position of bandmaster about 15 years ago retiring after ten years appreciated service.
In addition to being a bandmaster, Mr. McFarlane played in Mr. Stephen Richardson's well-known orchestra for a period of no less than 39 years. Deceased formed a band at Luncarty, which he himself conducted while his services as a member of Perth Theatre Orchestra were greatly appreciated.
Deceased was predeceased by his wife ten years ago and by his father, at the age of 94, only two months ago. He leaves a family of six, three daughters and three sons.
The funeral to Wellshill Cemetry on Friday was attended by several hundred mourners, while the streets through which the cortege, headed by the Perth Silver Band, passed were lined with members of the general public.
The Band played for the first time in Perth, the slow funeral march, "Regrets".
Circa 03/1928
Passing Of Perth Bandmaster
Late Mr. R. K. McFarlane
By the death of Mr. Robert K. McFarlane, late bandmaster of Perth Trades Band, there has been removed a well-known figure in the city, particularly in musical circles.
Born in Perth, deceased was employed for 49 years with Messrs Pullar & Sons. From his youngest days he was a talented
musician and as a cornet player he took his place in Pullar's band, which ultimately became known as the Corporation Band and finally the Perth Trades Band. He attained to the position of bandmaster about 15 years ago retiring after ten years appreciated service.
In addition to being a bandmaster, Mr. McFarlane played in Mr. Stephen Richardson's well-known orchestra for a period
of no less than 39 years. Deceased formed a band at Luncarty, which he himself conducted while his services as a member of Perth Theatre Orchestra were greatly appreciated.
Deceased was predeceased by his wife ten years ago and by his father, at the age of 94, only two months ago. He leaves a family of six, three daughters and three sons.
The funeral to Wellshill Cemetry on Friday was attended by several hundred mourners, while the streets through which
the cortege, headed by the Perth Trades Band, passed were lined with members of the general public. Ex-Baillie Miller, a bandmaster under whom Mr. McFarlane served, was among the mourners.
Perthshire Advertiser, 4/3/1936
Perth Silver Band's New Conductor
Mr James Dow, Glencarse
Dr, Robert Stirling, president of the Perth Silver Band Association, attended at the practice last night for the purpose of introducing to the bandsmen their new conductor. At their recent annual meeting expression was given to the loss sustained by the band in the death of its conductor, Mr. W. A. Allison. Since then the committee have been fortunate in securing the services of Mr. James Dow, Glencarse who has indicated his willingness to take over the leadership.
In Mr. Dow the band have a conductor who has been interested in musical matters since he was a boy. He early found his way into brass band circles and secured considerable fame as a boy cornettist. Later, he founded the Northern Counties' Brass Band Association. In 1907 he formed the Dundee R.N.V.R. Band, which served with the Hood Batallion R.N. Division in the war. Along with the band, Mr. Dow saw services in Gallipoli when many of the bandsmen were killed at the first landing and he himself lost the sight of an eye. Later he accepted a commission in the R.F.C.
After the war Mr. Dow took over the leadership of the Eccles Borough Band in 1920. A year later under his baton the band won the Belle Vue contest, a success which it repeated in 1930. Mr. Dow is believed to be the only Scotsman to win the conductor's medal at the famous Manchester centre. In 1931 the Eccles combination secured fourth place in a World's Championship at the Crystal Palace.
In addition to band work Mr. Dow has distinguished himself as a pianist. He has occupied the position of organist and choirmaster in Dundee and has experience of theatrical work. The executive committee of the Perth Silver Band welcome Mr. Dow to the leadership and entrust the fortunes of the band to his hands with confidence.
The 4th V.B.R.H Band which was disbanded when the Territorials came into existence and became the Perth Trades band, as it was before being associated with the Volunteers. In late years its title has been the Perth Silver Band.
Perth Silver Band, on whose behalf an urgent appeal was made at the annual meeting of the Association recently, has an interesting history. No one is better qualified to record that history than Mr. William McNab, 91 Scott Street, who has been connected with the Band for over half-a-century.
It is not long since Mr. McNab ceased active playing membership of the Band, in which he still retains a lively interest as a member of the Executive Committee.
When the original Band was formed round about the year 1864, every intending bandsman became a Freemason, and it was the only combination in which the instrumentalists were all members of the Craft. Among numerous important engagements which its bright and tuneful music earned was that on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the municipal buildings in Glasgow. At High Courts in Perth the band turned out to lead the procession of legal dignitaries from the Royal George Hotel to the Sheriff Courthouse. In 1885 it played at the laying of the foundation stone of Perth Swimming Baths and another appearance was at a two-days bazaar to raise funds for the new bridge at Caputh.
Hill's Close in High Street was the Headquarters when the name was changed to Perth Trades Band. Then, in 1901, it became known as the 4th Volunteer Black Watch Band, and reverted to Perth Trades when the Volunteers merged into the 6th Territorial Battalion. Latterly, it adopted its original title of Perth Silver Band and has done good work for charitable institutions in the city and county.
Last year, the Band's finances were crippled by the outlay necessary to purchase new instruments and the urgent need for more practical support by the citizens has been emphasised. Donations will be gratefully received by Mr. J.T. Douglas, secretary and treasurer, 36 High Street, Perth.
That an anonymous donation of £100 had postponed the demise prophesied for the Band last year was the disclosure made in the accounts presented to the annual meeting of Perth Silver Band Association in the Burgh Court Room on Wednesday evening.
This item alone, it was stated, accounted for an increased balance. The significant fact remained that the Band was costing more to run while it was earning less.
Dr. Robert Stirling, president of the Association, occupied the chair, and his motion for approval of the secretarial and financial reports was seconded by Bailie J. R. MacDonald, senior magistrate of the city, who had a word of praise to offer the Band on its Sunday evening concerts in the City Hall.
The Bailie referred to the attraction which the concerts had for young people and declared that in this respect the Band were grasping an opportunity of which the Church had not availed itself, of keeping the young men and young women of the town from wandering aimlessly about the streets on a Sunday night. For that service, he said, the Band deserved the thanks of the Town Council and the citizens.
Bailie MacDonald, speaking of the evolution of music contended that it was all to the good that modern inventions such as the gramophone and the radio should bring music into the home at the turn of a handle or the throwing of a switch; they made the people more musically minded. Here in Perth the Band relied on the personal touch and it was serving a very useful purpose in attracting people to the town and also giving enjoyment to the citizens. It was just a pity that the townspeople would not take a greater interest in its progress and contribute more generously to its funds. His hope was that in the coming year the response to their appeal for subscribers would be on a greatly increased scale.
The reports, unanimously adopted by the meeting, were submitted by Mr. J. Ross Smyth, vice-president, in the absence through indisposition, of Mr. J.T. Douglas, hon. secretary and treasurer.
The Executive Committee's review, which dealt with the year ended October 31 last, recorded that it was many years since the Band had been in such good health. Probably it had never been in better form. Its public appearances had evoked favourable comment and they believed that there was harmony of other than a musical kind among the Band members. If one looked for a reason for this satisfactory state of affairs one had no difficulty in discovering it in the appointment of Mr H.B. Hutchinson as bandmaster. Mr. Hutchinson, who came to Perth with a fine record, took up the baton at the end of March and had been unsparing in his efforts to put the Band on the map. The Band has been given a fine opportunity under Mr. Hutchinson's leadership and they had made an excellent response. In the series of Sunday concerts, which had been very well received, the Band had had an opportunity to tackle at short notice a variety of programme items and had gained confidence in itself through a weekly appearance on the platform. The public of Perth had got to know and appreciate Band and Bandmaster in a way never before possible. Describing finance as a worrying question, the report continued by referring to the problem of how to keep the Band going from year to year since it was not able to support itself by its earnings. The Committee expressed the belief that it was worth while keeping the Band in being as a public institution and they looked to the citizens to help.
That the demise prophesied for the Band last year had been postponed was explained by the extraordinary item under income of "anonymous donation per Dr. Stirling, £100," a sum intended mainly to assist in the training of learners. This item alone accounted for an increased balance for it must be noted with grave concern that the income from engagements dropped by £25 and from subscriptions and donations by £18. Of equally serious concern on the expenditure side was a rise of £42 on fees and expenses relative to conductorship and engagements. Other items remained normal. The significant fact remained that the Band was costing more to run while it was earning less. 1t was probably true that the Band could not be maintained at its present standard of efficiency on a lower expenditure, but it should be possible to increase its earnings. The profit from Sunday concerts was put at £17, as at the end of October. Three months later, after a series of sixteen concerts, the figure remained almost at the same level, due to the ups and downs of so precarious an undertaking. The Executive did not embark on this venture in a spirit of profit-making and they would be satisfied if on a final reckoning they were not out of pocket.
With notice to leave its present premises in the former Exchange Bar early next month, Perth Silver Band is faced with the prospect of being disbanded for want of a practice room.
The Band members are hoping, however, that they will he able to come to an arrangement with the British Legion, which has acquired the Exchange Bar for conversion into a club. They have also -brought their plight to the notice of the Town Council's Property Com-mittee, who on Thursday remitted the matter to a sub-committee to see what can be done.
Nearly 100 years old, Perth Silver Band is the last of five bands which once existed in the City.
It has performed at many prominent public functions in Perthshire and throughout Scotland. It has two charitable engagements in the offing - one at Bertha Home early in December and the other at Perth Prison at the beginning of 1948. About £1,000 worth of property is possessed by the Band in instruments and music.
Mr William McNab, 91 Scott Street, Perth, writing as " an old bandsman, " suggests that one of "so many empty condemned houses throughout the city " could be converted into a practice hall at little expense" "It is up to the Town Council," he writes, "to come to the aid of this musical combination and grant them a place for practice, as it is a great asset to the city of Perth to have a band."
"Any Gentleman willing to help and take them out of this terrible hardship," he adds " will be doing a great service to the Bandsmen and to the citizens of Perth."
Perth Silver Band is only seven years off celebrating its centenary. It was formed Councillor P.S. Norwell pointed out at the annual meeting on Thursday as the Perth Masonic Band in 1856. In the 1860's it was a common occurrence for principal city firms such as Shields, Pullars and Coates, to take the Band with them when they went on their annual trips. "When the High Court sat in the Fair City," Councillor Norwell added, "the Perth Band marched them from the Royal George Hotel where no doubt they had a good noggin, to the Sheriff Court in Tay Street". He appealed to the city firms to support the Band again and help it out of its present financial difficulties.