Life membership medals for Clackmannan quartet

Four members of Clackmannan District Band have received life membership medals from the Scottish Brass Band Association in recognition of their long service to banding.

Soprano player Julie Johnstone has been with band for some 45 years, having started to play in Alloa Academy school band. She has been a member of the Clackmannan committee for many years – including ten years as president – and is currently the band’s vice president.

Lesley Muir has over 50 years service and, like Julie, has been with the same organisation throughout that time, initially with Alloa and then Clackmannan on the merger of the two bands. Primarily the second trombone player, she also plays baritone when required. She is also a member of the band quartet, Paper Clip Sounds, with her husband John and friends Bill Giles and Bill Guyan.

Bass trombone player John Muir occasionally stands in on solo trombone when needed. He has conducted the band’s small-group ensemble for around 20 years, as well as playing in Paper Clip Sounds. He is a tutor and conductor with Hillfoots Music for Youth orchestra and also plays in jazz bands and the local amateur dramatics orchestra. He has been with Clackmannan since the mid-1990s, having also played with Alloa and Alva.

Principal cornet Lorraine McLeod took over the role after the sad passing of Paul Dornan two years ago. She came through the banding ranks with the help of area brass tutor Bob Stein who was conductor of Clackmannan District youth band, Alloa junior band and the senior band. A brass pupil at Alloa Academy band, Lorraine has spent most of her career on cornet, but did have a short spell on euphonium. She had a stint with the cooperation band before returning to Clackmannan.

The medals were presented during Clackmannan’s annual awards ceremony and inaugural solo and ensemble competition at the weekend.

Julie Johnson, Lesley and John Muir and Lorraine McLeod with their SBBA life membership medals