AN Inverclyde musician has been honoured for half a century of dedicated service to the brass band scene in Scotland.
Alistair McCorkell, 76, has enjoyed a lifetime of involvement in music making, having played a brass instrument for 68 years, 53 of which have been in service to bands in the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA).
The Gourock musician is showing no signs of slowing up, and remains a dedicated member of Brass Sounds Inverclyde (BSI), which he founded in 2004. He received his life membership medal from SBBA at BSI’s recent Christmas concert.
Alistair said: “It was such a huge honour to be presented with my lifetime membership medal from the Scottish Brass Band Association. I’ve been very fortunate to have a life filled with music, and it continues to bring me great joy. Hopefully, there are plenty more years ahead of me!”
Alistair was born in 1948 into a Salvation Army family. His father was bandmaster of the Greenock East SA Corps, where Alistair started his musical journey on the cornet at the age of eight.
He moved to the tenor horn, then euphonium, and was soon being recognised for his playing, picking up awards along the way. For several years, Alistair travelled around SA corps in the UK, performing as a soloist, accompanied on the piano by his brother, Robert.
In 1971, Alistair entered the world of brass band contesting, joining Greenock and District Band, under the leadership of Anthony Clucas. Spells followed with Renfrew Burgh, Greenock Silver, Clydebank Burgh, Barrhead Burgh and Newmains and District bands.
He has also remained involved in Salvation Army banding from time to time, having played with the likes of Greenock, Paisley and Govan Citadel bands, and is no stranger to swapping his instrument for a baton, conducting bands in rehearsals and performances.
Lesley Crumlish, band manager of Brass Sounds Inverclyde, said: “For decades, Alistair has served brass bands with distinction, whether providing music for worship, taking to the contest stage or simply entertaining audiences across Inverclyde and beyond.
“We’re all delighted for him that he has received this major honour from the Scottish Brass Band Association.”
Alistair’s award came during a successful joint Christmas concert for BSI, which saw the band joined by a Christmas scratch choir and local group the Sea Shanty Singers, with the event raising £850 for Children in Poverty.
Brass Sounds Inverclyde meet on a Wednesday Night and if any brass players want to know more they can e-mail Lesley at bsibandmanager@outlook.com for information.
