A former trumpet player with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra who went on to lead the West Lothian Schools Brass Band for almost 30 years, has been hailed as an “inspirational figure” following his death.
Tributes have been pouring in on social media to the late Nigel Boddice, who helped guide the lives of brass players throughout Scotland and further afield.
West Lothian Council’s Executive Committee stood in a minute’s silence at a recent meeting after council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick paid tribute to the “tremendous success” he brought to the schools’ brass band.
Councillor Fitzpatrick continued: “Nigel conducted the West Lothian Schools brass band from 1984 to 2013.
“Our young people were taken to prestigious events across the world including the Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House and the western United States of America.
“Under his guidance and conducting they won the National Youth Brass Band championship a phenomenal ten times.
“They won the Scottish Youth brass band title three times and the European brass band of the year three times, in addition to being awarded the BBC Radio2 Youth Brass Band of the year in 1998 and a gold award at the Sydney International Music Festival in 1996.
“The band recorded five CDs. He guided the careers of many talented musicians across the county and many across Scotland some who are now on the world stage.”
The highly respected musician was Lecturer in Instrument Performance at Royal Conservatoire Scotland and was the former principal trumpet of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, a position he held for twenty years from 1975 to 1995.
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra also paid its own tribute, tweeting: “So sad to hear the news of the death of Nigel Boddice MBE.
Following his death, RCS issued a statement via Twitter which said they have “lost a highly respected colleague and exceptionally talented trumpet player and conductor”.
Mr Boddice was a trumpet player, conductor, tutor and adjudicator and one of the longest-serving lecturers at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
The Scottish Brass Band Association described Mr Boddice as “A true gentleman and outstanding musician.
“He also worked with the West Lothian Schools Brass Band where he had a huge influence on the musical development of young brass banders.
“For a time he was the musical director of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS) Reserve Band.”
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