Band Time Line
1856 - Reported that a great proportion of the income came from the members. A number of the instruments were the property of the members, and a further public subscription was called for to purchase a full set of instruments.
Reported that “On New Year’s Day Galashiels Town Band favoured us with a visit, and paraded our streets playing some of their favourite tunes. In the evening they were joined by our Instrumental Band and escorted out of the town, both joining in the same tune which they executed very well”. The band played for the arrival of the railway (the North British Railway Company).
1857 – Jedburgh Border Games – at 6am the band “struck up a stirring air and, paraded the streets to the immense delight and satisfaction of a whole host of small boys, prematurely hurried from bed for the occasion”. At 9.30am a procession marched from the Ramparts up Castlegate to the moor-ground (at the Dunion, near to the present golf course) led by the band, alternately playing with the Pipe band.
1858 – Concert in Spread Eagle “The band appeared to be in excellent order, and executed the various pieces in the programme with precision and good taste. We had not heard their performances for some time, and were agreeably surprised at the progress which they have made. Indeed, we cannot speak too highly of their training, which reflects the greatest credit upon their conductor” “Courtesy entitles Miss St Clair [one of the guest singers] to our first notice; would that we could impartially give her the first place as regards her performances, but we cannot do so…..the best advice we can give to this lady, is that she should devote her talents to instrumental music”. “Of Mr McLagan’s capabilities it is not easy to speak………his style of performance does not legitimately belong to the concert room – it is quite out of place”.
1859 - Concert in Spread Eagle. “The Band played remarkably well, the fact of their having got through Handell’s Hallelujah Chorus with great precision and accuracy, evidencing in no small degree their rapid progress……. We cannot close this notice without referring to the disgraceful conduct of some youths sitting in the middle of the room and at the side of a window who amused themselves by throwing about orange peel to the annoyance of the audience generally. We cannot expect laddies to patronise our concerts if this is allowed to continue and we would strongly recommend that on the next occasion one or 2 policemen be stationed in the room to preserve order.”
1860 - The band paid a visit to Hawick on Saturday evening and played some fine tunes on the streets. Their performances were greeted with loud cheers by the large crowds that soon collected. Unanimous opinion in the town was that the Jedburgh Band greatly surpasses Hawick Saxhorn in the style and general effect of their performance
The band paid a visit to Lord and Lady Lothian at Monteviot House on Saturday evening, who said that they would always give the band their support in the future.
The band were given a donation of £3 [equivalent to £370 now], and entertained to a supper and dance in the hall “during which a number of appropriate toasts were proposed, and after spending a most agreeable evening, the band wound up the entertainment by playing the National Anthem and proceeded home, no doubt highly delighted with the evening’s proceedings”.
The Instrumental Band some sixteen in number, have now become members of the 1st Roxburghshire Rifle Corps
1864 - The town’s annual summer trip by rail to Edinburgh took place on Saturday last, when above 600 took advantage of it. The train left here about 6am, and returned after 10pm, and both journeys were without incident. Being accompanied by our Instrumental Band, the trip attracted considerable attention both here and in Edinburgh, crowds following as they marched along. The reveille was not so acceptable to the lieges here, as fifes and drums are anything but helps to somnolence at four o’clock in the morning.
Concert “The members of the Band will feel obliged if parties will prevent children from disturbing the performance.”
1870 – Robert Hogg (1st Soprano) had lost his front teeth, and had got them replaced so that he might still play. The Committee felt that “as he might have done without them but for the band”, they agreed to pay for the said teeth out of Band funds, at a cost of £1.
1888 – The first set of uniforms were purchased.
1889 – The Treasurer explained the Band’s exceptionally good bank balance by saying that “ it was not every year that they had a Carnegie passing through the town and donating them £5 [£480 now]”. That is, Sir Andrew Carnegie the American millionaire. The money was used for the Band trip.
1899 – Band accompanies town trip to Loch Lomond. 700 went by train, took 6 hours each way. Band photographed at Inversnaid Falls [see also 1999].
1895 – “The Secretary gave a report of a meeting held in Edinburgh for the purpose of holding a Brass Band Association for Scotland which Mr A Oliver and he had attended as representing the Committee. It was resolved to join this Association”. [ie the Scottish Amateur Brass Band Association] The band organised a contest in Jedburgh. It attracted 12 bands (one from Fife). “The Kirkcaldy Band were in a difficulty about one of their Players who had not the six weeks probation, and that they had not finally settled about entering. It was agreed that if any Band would take objection to the Kirkcaldy player, that the Committee protect this Band against any Protest that may be lodged, provided he was one of their old members rejoined”.
1904 – The band decided not to have a concert in celebration of the band jubilee.
1905 – Band had an overdraft of £7 [so not a new phenomenon!]
1907 – The Minutes report that “it had always been a difficulty that young men who were members of the Band had to leave the town for employment elsewhere”
1911 – Local Ministers were criticised by the band for not attending Sunday concerts.
1912 – Jock Tamson’s uncle died on the way back from a band performance at Bedrule. He fell into a burn and drowned. June 13th. Aged 38.
1914 to 1918 – In all, 33 players had gone to fight in 1st World War; 6 had been killed. Vacancies had been filled by young players - in 1918 there were 19 players.
1921 – Conductor’s annual salary increased from £12 to £20 a year. [That’s worth £900 now]
1922 – Band received two legacies of £100 each [worth the equivalent of £4,500 each now].
1925 – The Conductor reported that it would greatly improve the tone of the band if another instrument was added – a bass trombone. [Today, it is hard to imagine a band without one].
1929 – The band had 24 players, despite 3 leaving during the year. The band was able to obtain 2 players from the new Rayon mill. Practices were well attended, with an average of 18 players at each one.
1930 – It had been arranged that a programme be played in the grounds of Queen Mary’s House, but had been cancelled because the young grass was not at that time in a fit condition to be trodden on. The band was requested to pay £1 to the newly formed Performing Rights Society.
1933 – Newspaper headlines : “A slur on the band” “ Members angry over a letter” “Conductor resigns”. The letter from a Committee member said that the band was not run on the same lines as formerly. The Committee member resigned. [Nothing changes!]
1936 – The band were making about 25 public appearances a year. [About half as much as we do nowadays]. The band was funded mainly by public subscription, with the official Collector going round the houses of the town. He received 5% of the amount collected.
1937 – It was commented by the conductor how difficult it was to train young lads to the state of proficiency one desired. [Again nothing changes!]
1939 – Only 12 players in the band in August [because of the 2nd World War], but another 8 had been recruited since then. The Conductor said that he impressed the need for practice, especially on the younger players; they should stick in and play not only on practice nights but all week. “Ten minutes at dinner time [that’s our present day lunch time] and after tea was a wonderful help to a young player, if consistently carried out daily”.
1940 – It was decided to take the door to door collection in the spring because of the Blackout [2nd World War]. Since the outbreak of war, 17 players had left the band for service with the Armed Forces. Even so, the band had 25 members.
1942 – The youngest band ever in Jedburgh; the ages of the principal players averaged 16 years. Since 1939, they had lost what practically amounted to a band in itself.
1946 – The band was gifted a euphonium from an anonymous donor, this being the third instrument the person had donated.
1949 – The band appears in its new uniform : “one of the Band’s finest hours”.
1950 – The band would enter a contest at Brampton (apparently the first contest the band took part in since the 1890s). The committee agreed to provide the costs, on condition the band was willing to practice 2 hours a night for 4 nights a week until the contest, which was in 2 week’s time. The band performed very creditably – only a few points behind the overall winner which had carried off all the prizes (and which had recently been promoted into the 2nd section).
1952 – The anonymous donor had now gifted 7 new instruments to the band. Still anonymous, to this day.
1954 – The band’s Centenary year in 1954 was celebrated in a major way, with a formal Dinner in the Town Hall attended by band members and supporters and national figures in brass banding; entertainment was provided, including the British champion trombone quartet. At a massed bands concert of 150 players at Riverside Park, six borders bands participated, each one marching from the band’s premises (now Athol Court in the Castlegate) through the town; the day culminated with the playing of hymns by the bands in the Square. A bass drum was presented by Charles Renilson, the Provost of Forfar (a former JIB player) whose band we had a close association with for many years.
A Mr J Young [actually, the recent President of the band] “proposed that attempts be made to organise the band with a view to competing in contests in the coming year”. 1956 – The Rayon mill closes, putting almost 1,000 people out of work. The band suffers heavy losses through many players leaving the town for work elsewhere. The Conductor, Mr John Hewie, was made an Honorary Burgess of the town (previous recipients included Robert Burns).
1957 – “A Disastrous Year” because of the steady stream of men leaving the town to seek work elsewhere.
1958 – “Another Disappointing Year” with more band members leaving the town. The band appeared only 10 times in public.
1960 – Conductor appeals for better practice attendances - a “waste of time” to hold practices with only 6-12 present. 1961 – The first female players in the band. 1962 – A quartet from the band had come only two points behind the Scottish Champions at a contest.
1964 – Mr John Hewie, the Bandmaster retires through ill health. Apart from a short period in the 1930s, he had conducted the band since 1908. He died a few months later. The band pays for and erects his gravestone (as it had done for the previous Conductors).
1969 – The band wins the 4th Section Championship. The band competes at the National Championships in the Albert Hall, London. Conductor Mr David Young. 1971 – Band moves into new premises, built mainly by band members.
1975 – A new set of instruments were purchased, funded by the Town Council. 1979 – Band’s 125th year celebrations. A Dinner Dance. An LP recording of the band playing was issued.
1982 – New set of uniforms purchased.
1996 – The band is getting progressively weaker, with players leaving and very few young players joining. The Committee agrees to set up a group which will recruit players.1997 – Jedforest takes the lead in re-forming the Borders Brass Band Association.
1998 – Band gets new set of instruments and uniforms.
1999 – Band re-creates visit of 100 years ago to Inversnaid Falls.
In an interview for new conductor. Mr John Young says to a Mr Alan Fernie “you’re obviously a great composer and arranger, but do you have any experience of brass bands?” Alan subsequently was our Musical Director for 8 years, taking us up to the 2nd Section.
2000 – Purchase of new Band Hall.
2001 – Opening of new Band Hall by HRH The Princess Royal. Band wins several trophies at contests. A Junior Band exists for the first time in band’s history, and wins 1st prize in the first contest it enters.
2002 – Band is promoted to 3rd Section for only the 2nd time in its history coming 2nd at the Scottish Championships in Motherwell and Plays in British National Championships in Torquay coming 13th from 20 bands Conductor Mr Alan Fernie.
2003 – The Training band, Abbey Brass (Jedforest) are under-16s Scottish Youth Champions. Conductor Mr Cameron Mabon
2004 – The sesquicentenary year (150th anniversary of the band’s founding).. Band is promoted to 2rd Section for the 1st time in its history. Conductor Mr Alan Fernie. ‘Junior Band’ is renamed ‘Abbey Brass (Jedforest)’ and registered as a 4th Section competing band. Comes 2nd in the 4th Section at the Borders Entertainment Contest. Conductor Mr Cameron Mabon.
Jedforest Instrumental Band, in its first contests in the 2nd Section, comes 2nd at the Whitburn Invitation Contest and 1st in the Borders Entertainment Contest. Conductor Mr Alan Fernie. Funding secured for a commemorative Bandstand and Park in the centre of the town.
Some 75 Musicians of all ages are involved at some level of the band as a Band Buddies section is formed to facilitate the grass routes players. All 3 bands turn out and perform through out the year.
2010 – The band is relegated to the 3rd Section.
2011 – The band narrowly misses promotion to 2nd Section under MD Phil Rosier (adjudicators say there was little between the first 3 bands).
Jedforest Instrumental Band – A Brief History
Background
1839 – The piston valve is invented for brass instruments.
This is a brief account of the Jedforest Instrumental Band’s history, from our beginnings to the present day. We’ll continue to add to it as more information is discovered from old newspaper reports and other sources.
1854 – Jedforest Instrumental Band is formed. As the minute of the founding meeting records:
“A feeling having been expressed by a number of the inhabitants of Jedburgh favourable to the formation of an Instrumental Band, a few individuals have furnished themselves with instruments which, along with a few belonging to the town, they have been practising on for a few months under the tuition of Mr Lockwood, who for a trifling remuneration has attended them to this time. To enable them to continue his attendance and purchase a few much-needed instruments, they have been encouraged to solicit a public subscription.”
1856 – A large proportion of the band’s income comes from members, and several instruments are privately owned. A further public subscription is called to purchase a full set of instruments.
It is also reported:
“On New Year’s Day, Galashiels Town Band favoured us with a visit, and paraded our streets playing some of their favourite tunes. In the evening they were joined by our Instrumental Band and escorted out of the town, both joining in the same tune which they executed very well.”
The band plays for the arrival of the North British Railway.
1857 – At the Jedburgh Border Games, the band “struck up a stirring air” at 6 a.m., parading the streets “to the immense delight and satisfaction of a whole host of small boys, prematurely hurried from bed for the occasion.” At 9.30 a.m., a procession marches from the Ramparts up Castlegate to the moor ground at the Dunion (near the present golf course), led by the band and alternating with the pipe band.
1858 – At a concert in the Spread Eagle:
“The band appeared to be in excellent order, and executed the various pieces in the programme with precision and good taste. We had not heard their performances for some time, and were agreeably surprised at the progress which they have made. Indeed, we cannot speak too highly of their training, which reflects the greatest credit upon their conductor.”
The review also makes frank remarks about guest performers, advising one singer to “devote her talents to instrumental music.”
1859 – Another concert at the Spread Eagle. The band plays remarkably well, even performing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus “with great precision and accuracy.” However, the concert is marred by “the disgraceful conduct of some youths” throwing orange peel in the audience. The recommendation: station policemen at future concerts to preserve order.
1860 – The band visits Hawick, playing in the streets to large crowds. Public opinion is that Jedburgh Band “greatly surpasses Hawick Saxhorn in style and general effect.”
The band also visits Lord and Lady Lothian at Monteviot House, who promise their future support. They receive a £3 donation (£370 today) and are treated to a supper and dance.
That same year, the Instrumental Band, sixteen members strong, becomes part of the 1st Roxburghshire Rifle Corps.
1864 – The town’s annual summer trip by rail to Edinburgh takes place, with over 600 people attending. The band attracts attention both in Jedburgh and Edinburgh. However, the 4 a.m. “reveille” is “not so acceptable to the lieges here” as fifes and drums are “anything but helps to somnolence.”
A concert notice asks:
“The members of the Band will feel obliged if parties will prevent children from disturbing the performance.”
1870 – Robert Hogg (1st Soprano) loses his front teeth but has them replaced so he can continue playing. The committee agrees to pay for them from band funds (£1).
1888 – The first set of uniforms is purchased.
1889 – The treasurer explains the band’s healthy bank balance: “It was not every year that they had a Carnegie passing through the town and donating them £5 [£480 now].” The donor is Sir Andrew Carnegie, the American millionaire. The money funds a band trip.
1895 – The secretary reports on a meeting in Edinburgh to form a Brass Band Association for Scotland. Jedforest joins, and later organises a contest in Jedburgh attracting 12 bands, one from Fife.
1899 – The band accompanies the town trip to Loch Lomond. Seven hundred people travel by train, taking six hours each way. The band is photographed at Inversnaid Falls (see also 1999).
1904 – The band decides not to hold a concert to celebrate its jubilee.
1905 – The band has an overdraft of £7 (financial difficulties are nothing new).
1907 – Minutes note the difficulty of young men leaving Jedburgh for work elsewhere.
1911 – The band criticises local ministers for not attending Sunday concerts.
1912 – Jock Tamson’s uncle dies after falling into a burn on the way back from a band performance at Bedrule. He was 38.
1914–1918 – Thirty-three players serve in the First World War; six are killed. Vacancies are filled by young players. In 1918, the band has 19 members.
1921 – The conductor’s annual salary increases from £12 to £20 (£900 today).
1922 – The band receives two legacies of £100 each (£4,500 today).
1925 – The conductor suggests adding a bass trombone to improve the band’s tone.
1929 – The band has 24 players and recruits two from the new Rayon mill.
1930 – A planned performance in Queen Mary’s House grounds is cancelled because “the young grass was not in a fit condition to be trodden on.” The band joins the newly formed Performing Rights Society.
1933 – Newspaper headlines: “A Slur on the Band,” “Members Angry Over a Letter,” “Conductor Resigns.” A committee member’s letter causes controversy; the member later resigns.
1936 – The band gives about 25 public performances a year, funded mainly by public subscription, with an official collector visiting homes.
1937 – The conductor comments on the difficulty of training young players to the desired standard.
1939 – Only 12 players remain in August due to the Second World War, but eight new members are recruited soon after. The conductor urges daily practice.
1940 – The door-to-door collection is moved to spring because of wartime blackouts.
1942 – The youngest band ever in Jedburgh, with principal players averaging 16 years old.
1946 – The band receives its third donated euphonium from an anonymous benefactor.
1949 – The band appears in its new uniform: “one of the Band’s finest hours.”
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1950 – The band enters a contest at Brampton, believed to be the first since the 1890s. The committee agrees to fund the trip on the condition that the band practises two hours a night, four nights a week, for the two weeks before the contest. The band performs very creditably, finishing only a few points behind the overall winner, which had recently been promoted to the 2nd Section.
1952 – The anonymous donor has now given seven new instruments to the band — still anonymous to this day.
1954 – The band’s centenary year is celebrated in style, with a formal dinner in the Town Hall attended by members, supporters, and national figures in brass banding. Entertainment includes the British Champion Trombone Quartet.
A massed bands concert of 150 players is held at Riverside Park, with six Borders bands participating. Each marches from its own premises (the JIB’s being in Athol Court, Castlegate) through the town. The day ends with hymn playing in the town square. A bass drum is presented by Charles Renilson, Provost of Forfar and a former JIB player.
Mr J. Young, the recent president of the band, proposes that efforts be made to prepare for contests the following year.
1956 – The Rayon mill closes, putting almost 1,000 people out of work. Many band members leave town in search of employment. The conductor, Mr John Hewie, is made an Honorary Burgess of Jedburgh (previous recipients included Robert Burns).
1957 – Described as “a disastrous year” due to the continuing loss of players leaving town for work.
1958 – Another disappointing year, with further losses. The band performs only 10 public engagements.
1960 – The conductor appeals for better practice attendance, calling it “a waste of time” to hold rehearsals with only 6–12 present.
1961 – The first female players join the band.
1962 – A JIB quartet comes within two points of the Scottish Champions at a contest.
1964 – Bandmaster John Hewie retires due to ill health. Apart from a short break in the 1930s, he has conducted the band since 1908. He dies a few months later. The band pays for and erects his gravestone, as it had done for previous conductors.
1969 – The band wins the 4th Section Championship and competes at the National Championships in the Royal Albert Hall, London. Conductor: Mr David Young.
1971 – The band moves into new premises, built mainly by its members.
1975 – A new set of instruments is purchased, funded by the Town Council.
1979 – The band’s 125th anniversary is celebrated with a dinner dance and the release of an LP recording of the band.
1982 – A new set of uniforms is purchased.
1984 – The band committee discusses the poor behaviour of some children in the band.
1993 – Young players formally complain that they were left to walk around Peebles for 3–4 hours while older players “were desperate to get to the pub.”
1996 – The band becomes progressively weaker, with players leaving and few young recruits. The committee sets up a group to recruit new members.
1997 – Jedforest takes the lead in re-forming the Borders Brass Band Association.
1998 – The band acquires new instruments and uniforms.
1999 – The band recreates its 1899 visit to Inversnaid Falls.
At an interview for a new conductor, Mr John Young says to candidate Alan Fernie: “You’re obviously a great composer and arranger, but do you have any experience of brass bands?” Alan becomes Musical Director for eight years, taking the band up to the 2nd Section.
2000 – The band purchases a new band hall.
2001 – The new band hall is officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal. The band wins several contest trophies. A Junior Band is formed for the first time in the band’s history and wins first prize at its debut contest.
2002 – The band is promoted to the 3rd Section for only the second time in its history, finishing 2nd at the Scottish Championships in Motherwell. It plays in the British National Championships in Torquay, finishing 13th out of 20 bands. Conductor: Mr Alan Fernie.
2003 – The training band, Abbey Brass (Jedforest), becomes Under-16 Scottish Youth Champions. Conductor: Mr Cameron Mabon.
2004 – Sesquicentenary year (150th anniversary). The band is promoted to the 2nd Section for the first time.
The Junior Band is renamed Abbey Brass (Jedforest) and registered as a 4th Section competing band, finishing 2nd in the 4th Section at the Borders Entertainment Contest (Conductor: Mr Cameron Mabon).
Jedforest Instrumental Band achieves 2nd place at the Whitburn Invitation Contest and 1st place in the Borders Entertainment Contest (Conductor: Mr Alan Fernie).
Funding is secured for a commemorative bandstand and park in the town centre.
Around 75 musicians of all ages are involved with the band, including the newly formed “Band Buddies” section for grassroots players.
2005 – The commemorative bandstand and park are officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal. Abbey Brass and Jedforest Instrumental both perform for her. A letter on her behalf describes the bands as “seriously talented musicians, young and old.”
The training band wins the Under-16 Scottish Youth Championship again (Conductor: Cameron Mabon).
2010 – The band is relegated to the 3rd Section.
2011 – Under MD Phil Rosier, the band narrowly misses promotion to the 2nd Section, with adjudicators noting “little between the first three bands.”
2012 – Conducted by Phil Rosier, the band wins the 3rd Section of the Scottish Championships by three clear points and goes on to finish 5th at the British Championships in Cheltenham. Flugel Horn player Stuart Black wins the Best Instrumentalist prize.
2015 – The band wins the 2nd Section of the Scottish Championships — the best result in its history — and follows up with 13th place at the British Championships. The following year, the band competes in the 1st Section for the first time, finishing 9th, but is relegated back to the 2nd Section.
2017 – The band sweeps the Borders Entertainment Contest, held in Jedburgh, winning: Best Band, Best 2nd Section, Best Borders Band, Best Percussion, Best Instrumentalist (Hamish McRitchie – Horn) and Most Entertaining Band. Conductor: Phil Rosier.
2019 – Abbey Brass (Jedforest) wins the Novice Section of the Scottish Youth Championships, following a 2nd place finish the previous year. Conductor: Stuart Black.
2020 - Funding to replace the roof of the band hall is secured. A global pandemic of Covid 19 leads to the postponement of several events and activities planned for the year, with only a brief appearance from a small group of the band playing Christmas Carols outdoors.
2021 - After a break of 455 days, the band finally returned to rehearsals. The band was fortunate that the band hall was large enough to accommodate the Government guidelines of a 1m space between every player. Public performances were still strictly limited, so the band decided to go ahead with a free-to-all outdoor concert which was held in the car park next to the Co-op superstore to bring joy and music to the community during the challenging times. Although the Public turned out in good numbers, the members were well wrapped up for the freezing morning conditions.
2022 - The band returned to normal duties. Solo Trombone player, Gordon Melrose, won the best soloist award at the Borders Contest, with the band also picking up the best Basses and best percussion awards, finishing in 2nd place overall and best Borders Band and most entertaining band.
2023 - The Band won 1st place at the Borders entertainment contest, playing some spectacular music. Gordon Melrose on Trombone took the best instrumentalist award with the percussion section retaining their prize. The Band won the best borders band award for the 5th year in a row.
