Gary Kelly
BBb Bass
What instrument did you start learning on?
Started on Eb bass when I went to high school. Was the only one big enough to carry it!
What was your first contest and with what band?
The Scottish Championships with Hutchison Coaches (Newmains) playing Variations on a Theme by Haydn
What year was your first contest?
1986
When did you join the Co?
2017
What is your favourite test piece?
Big fan of Edward Gregson and Of Men and Mountains is a great piece to play.
Where is your favourite venue for performing?
Been lucky enough to have played in a number of fantastic venues over the years but there is something special about playing in the Royal Albert Hall.
What was your most enjoyable moment in banding?
Second place at the Scottish Championships with Unison Kinneil in 2000 was fantastic but any win makes all the hard work worth it. Scottish Championships are always special so wins at the last 2 have been memorable.
What do you dislike about brass bands?
All the hanging about on contest days….
If you had to choose another instrument what would it be?
Getting to play the tune more often would be nice, so maybe euphonium
Who is your brass band hero? .
As a bass player, John Fletcher was something else. Philip McCann was another one, used by my old brass teacher as an example of a Scottish player who did well down south