Obituary - Charlie Calder, cornet player and well-known figure in Scotland's brass band community

Died: April 28, 2017

CHARLIE Calder ,who has died aged 77, was a leading Scottish cornet player and an extremely well known and popular figure in the world of brass bands.

A member of Broxburn Public Band for more than 50 years (latterly the Broxburn and Livingston Band), he was their principal cornet player over a long period and competed successfully with them against strong opposition in many different arenas.

His highlights included being a member of their quartet which in 1972 won the British Championship at Oxford, the first win by a Scottish representative in 18 years. On that occasion he was also awarded the title of Best Instrumentalist out of the 88 participating musicians.

Another highlight was playing in the top category of the British Band Championship Finals in a packed Royal Albert Hall in 1966, a memorable experience. And again with his Broxburn Band, he twice won the Edinburgh International Contest, in 1969 and 1973, at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens during the festival, a high level competition which featured five top English bands and their Scottish counterparts.

As an individual he was second in the Scottish Solo Championship three times and won the East of Scotland title on several occasions. He was considered a top Scottish and British cornet player of his era, in part due to the confidence he had playing in front of a crowd.

With two older brothers, Ian and Willie already members, both baritone players, it was almost inevitable that Charlie would follow in their footsteps and by the age of 10 he had begun attending band practice. The Broxburn Band was a historic one having been formed in the late Victorian era; it had taken part in the inaugural Scottish Championships in 1895. Its creation was linked to the then booming shale oil industry in the area and workers had a penny per week deducted from their wages to fund it.

Mr Calder's natural ability soon became apparent and he progressed quickly from the junior band to become lead cornet player in the senior one while still in his teens.

His development coincided with the band’s most successful era in the 1960s and 70s, their second place in the 1966 Scottish Championships qualifying them to take part in the British Finals in the Royal Albert Hall against prestigious opponents including Black Dyke and Foden’s.

Mr Calder's success in the British Quartets with colleagues Alan Forbes, David Hughes and John Stark was particularly welcome after their fifth and third places in the previous two years. Their capture of the Morris Trophy followed weeks of intense preparation led by conductor Frank Renton and associate Tony Clucas to enable them perform their chosen piece Alla Burlesca to maximum effect, scoring 190 points out of 200. Charlie Calder’s winning the R Couch Trophy for Best Instrumentalist was the icing on the cake and it was a happy group that returned to Broxburn with the cups in their caravanette specially hired for the trip.

At about this time as a result of his growing reputation, he was headhunted to join top English band, The Yorkshire Imperial Metals, based near Leeds. He was provided with a foreman’s job and a house but his family failed to settle and they returned north after a year.

Later he and Alan Forbes guested as trumpet players with the Wartenberg State Opera in Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre for a week performing Wagner’s opera Lohengrin and were invited to tour thereafter with them but were unable to do so because of work.

In 1972 Broxburn Band participated in an international contest over several days in Eckernforde, North Germany finishing a close second to the successful Swedish band. At one point Mr Calder played Flying Scot on solo cornet to rapturous acclaim from his German audience and was later honoured by being selected to play The Last Post to close the festival.

Born Charles Calder in Church Street , Broxburn to Charles and Mary, he was the second youngest of four brothers. After attending the local primary and high schools, he worked as a highly accomplished stonemason throughout his adult life mostly on his own account, winning awards for craftsmanship.

In 1961 he married Agnes Fradley from Winchburgh whom he had met at a dance and they went on to enjoy almost 50 years together, bringing up daughters Carol, Lynne, Irene and Julie.

Despite occasional work-related injuries and problems with his fingers, Mr Calder continued playing until health issues prevented him although he remained a keen supporter of the band. At a dinner a few years ago he was presented with a medal marking his 50 years’ membership and outstanding contribution.

He will be remembered not only for his superb playing but for his input to the band’s feelgood factor through his geniality and infectious sense of humour. One of his lines was “ I’m no’ conceited though I’ve every reason to be”.

He is survived by his daughters, brother Willie and nine grandchildren.

JACK DAVIDSON.