Trombonist John Marshall celebrates 70 years with Elgin City Band
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ELGIN City Band's longest-serving member celebrated a remarkable 70 years with the band in 2020.
John Marshall (80), joined the band in 1950 and played every brass instrument before picking up the trombone around 15 years ago.
In his time with the band, Mr Marshall has held the roles of secretary and treasurer – with meeting Queen Elizabeth in 1982 among his best memories.
"I started when I was 10 years old," John said. "At that time, the band wasn't in the best of conditions.
"But we had a core who had been around for a while and, as things settled down from the war, we started to raise funds.
"We had no instruments or rehearsal places back then, we used to go and play in the high street until we built a band hall where Elgin Town Hall is now.
"Nowadays, we are a self-supporting band and play gigs all over the place.
"We all get on very well, we have members of all age ranges. I think I almost qualify as the senior member!
"I've thoroughly enjoyed being in the band. We are happy, contented and nobody says they are better than anybody else."
John hadn't been in the band long when King George VI died in 1952, and that was when he played his first gig – for the proclamation of accession of Elizabeth II.
Thirty years later, he would meet the Queen as a representative of Elgin City Band.
In 2000, as he hit his 50th year with the band, John was given the honour of playing on stage with Whitburn Band, who were Scottish, British and European champions at the time.
Ten years later, he was given an honourary life membership and an engraved crystal glass to celebrate six decades in the band.
The band have always been very active, making the coronavirus lockdown period all the more frustrating.
No arrangements since August represents the longest time without a gig during John's time with Elgin City Band.
"We don't take part in many competitions but we do have a fair turnover of engagements in the course of a year," John added.
"Although just now it's just terrible, we haven't had a gig since August."
Despite the lack of gigs, John's 70th anniversary with the band has given reason for some celebration.
Heather Park, the band's chairwoman and secretary, said: "John is a loyal and highly-respected bandsman, with a great memory for names and places associated with the band and many tales to tell.
"He feels that he has gained so much from being part of the City Band and cannot imagine what his life would have been like without it and the people in it."
John's anniversary isn't the only one being celebrated by the band, which dates back to 1858.
Bob Garrity, formerly a military director of music, is celebrating 20 years as conductor.
"Bob arrived at a time when there was a need for musical leadership and direction," Heather explained.
"20 years on, it is obvious that Bob has provided that and so much more, as is now evident in the band's performances."
Elgin City Band members are very proud of the long-serving pair's achievements and had planned a presentation at the band's May 2020 concert in the Laichmoray Hotel.
However, the Covid-19 lockdown prevented that from happening. The presentation will take place when restrictions allow.
