Euphonium player Jim was ‘a breath of fresh air’

Dunfermline Town Band would like to pay its deepest respects and affections for long-standing band member and euphonium player Jim McInally who sadly passed away on 21 June.
Popular and well known to many within the brass banding community, Jim started playing with his school band in Town Hill before joining the Dunfermline Town Band where he was a playing member for over 60 years, 40 of which saw him providing great insight and support as vice-chairman and being involved in wider banding matters, including the Fife Charities Band Association, for a number of years.

A committed and selfless player, Jim always put the needs of the music first, understanding that in a musical performance the whole was greater than the sum of the parts. He also underestimated his own ability as a player where he often produced sublime moments of the highest quality.

A real enthusiast for the craft of playing brass instrumental music, Jim recognised the need for continuity in the furtherance of his own Dunfermline Town Band and the brass band movement as a whole. In understanding that the key to this was in youth development, he took a participative and mentoring role in the band’s youth and junior sections, producing a number of successful players (as many ex-Dunfermline players will testify). His support was invaluable to many over the years.

Above all, Jim was a real gentleman who added warmth, character, support and friendship to everyone who knew him. He was also, at times, excruciatingly honest and forthright with his feelings and thoughts and was not slow in making these known. In a modern world of conflict, deceit, insincerity and disingenuity, Jim was known by all to be ‘a breath of fresh air’.

We all, at Dunfermline Town Band, will miss him greatly.

Jim was the beloved husband of the late Charlotte, much loved dad of Paul and father-in-law of Lesley, devoted di (granddad) to Catriona and dear partner of Mary.

• Thanks to Dunfermline Town conductor Andy Shaw for this tribute to Jim.