Musician's Hope Was Fulfilled - Year of Successes for Bandsman

A New Year resolution made 12 months ago has turned out well for Mr. W. Scholes, deputy conductor at Rushden Salvation Army Band. The resolution was to do "something worth-while" in the brass band world. The result has been the gaining of the B.B.C.M. and L.G.S.M. diplomas and in the Salvation Army Bandmaster's Correspondence Course examination.

The London Guildhall School of Music award has just been announced. Mr. Scholes passed with merit in harmony and form (82 per cent.) and in scoring from orchestral parts Beethoven's "Fidelio" and Mendelssohn's "Songs Without Words" Opus 31 (82 per cent. Honours were gained in euphonium playing with viva voce questions (90 per cent.) and in conducting (93 per cent.), the test in this case comprising the 5-4 movement from Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony (prepared) and Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nacht musik'' (unprepared). The examination covered three days, and the examiners were Dr. Denis Wright and Mr. Eric Ball. Mr. Scholes was tutored by Mr. Alfred Ashpole and Mr. Frank Wright.

Both the Scottish Finalists have contested for the National title once before—Clydebank Burgh in 1946 and Forfar Instrumental in 1948.

W A Scoles Clydebank Burgh	E Clayton Forfar Instrumental

Scottish banding would receive a tremendous impetus if the National Trophy went North of the Border for the first time.

The other Scottish representative, now in its 55th year, which could make this possible, is Forfar Instrumental—second at the Area Championship last year and this.

The Forfar bandsmen of to-day will hope to have benefited by their previous visit to London for, no matter how experienced at contests any team may be, to take the stage at the Albert Hall is admittedly, a nerve strain. It can also become an unforgettable moment if, as Forfar Instrumental supporters ardently wish, the band wins its way into the prizes.

Rushden brass band conductor, Mr William Scholes, proudly shows off the silver medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians of London brass bands top award which was presented to him on Saturday. Mr Scholes, of 14 Prospect Avenue, now joins the ranks of such distinguished men as Sir John Barbirolli and the late Sir Malcolm Sargent. The honour comes after 22 years as conductor of first Rushden Temperance Band and now Kibworth Brass Band, who under his guidance are becoming a leading light in the brass band world. The award was made by a past master of the company, Mr Eric Iles, at Belle Vue, Manchester, during the finals of the British Brass Band Open Championships.

Rushden conductor's top musical honour

A RUSHDEN man who has dedicated 22 years to conducting brass bands received the silver medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians of London on Saturday - an award gained by men like Sir John Barbirolli and the late Sir Malcolm Sargent.

Mr. William Scholes, of 14 Prospect Avenue, received this top honour from a former Master of the Company, Mr. Eric Iles, at Belle Vue, Manchester.

Since 1947, Mr. Scholes has been conductor of two local brass bands, and both have achieved a high reputation.

Between 1947 and 1961, he led the Rushden Temperance Band until he left to join the Kibworth Brass Band. Since his arrival, it has made five consecutive appearances at the Albert Hall in the National Brass Bands Finals.

In 1965 and last year, it beat the internationally famous GUS Footwear Band, of Kettering, in the area finals to qualify for the national competition.

Saturday's award took place during the finals of tine British Brass Band Open Championships.

Spotlight on Service - William Scholes

Today's worthy recipient of the 'Baton of Honour', awarded annually to a musician who has given outstanding service to brass bands, is the popular William Scholes, of Rushden, Northants.

Throughout an eventful career, rooted firmly in the Salvation Army, 'Bill' Scholes has brought a sincere and practical approach to his music-making. As conductor, adjudicator and composer, he has worked at all levels and has earned the respect of bandsmen everywhere. His long association with Rushden Temperance Band, and recent successes at Kibworth will be remembered by many. But it is perhaps by the patient and unostentatious direction of bands outside the championship category that the true quality of his con-tribution is fully revealed.

We join the thousands of friends and colleagues who today applaud this timely demonstration of gratitude for a life of dedicated service.

William Scholes appears in the Spotlight on Service

In the interlude between the last of the National Championship Contest performances and the commencement of the World Championship proceedings, a leading figure in the brass band sphere will be featured in the impressive 'Spotlight on Service' Ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall on 9 October. That personality will be William Scholes. He is to be presented with a Baton of Honour by Dr. Robert Simpson, composer of the work which has been set as the test-piece for the World Championship.

'Bill' Scholes was born in 1905 at Rushden, Northamptonshire. His interest in music was evident at a very early age. The local Salvation Army Hall was in close proximity to his home and at twelve years of age he became involved in its activities. This interest continues to be an active influence in his life. He was trained to play the comet by Bandmaster Harry Giles and his proficiency reached the standard that at the age of 16 he was appointed Singing Company Leader, later Songster Leader. The fact that he held this position for 24 years, has, no doubt, bearing on the 'choral sound' reflected in his brass band playing.

His eagerness to improve his appreciation of, and his capacity to assess, his broadening interest in music led to him teaming up with his contemporary Tom Giles, of I.S.B. fame in the early years of 1930. In 1940 he was receiving instruction in harmony from George Marshall. He then commenced to study under the guidance and tutorial influence of the late Frank Wright at the Guildhall School of Music. In 1945 he gained the diploma of L.G.S.M. with honours. This was followed in 1946 with the diploma of B.B.C.M.

In 1947 he became Conductor of Rushden Temperance Band. This fruitful and progressive association continued for 14 years. In addition, he was active in preparing other bands' for their qualifying events for the National Championships. His valuable work in steering the Kibworth Band from Third Section to Championship status during the years 1963-65 is an accomplishment of which he is rightly proud.

Bill Scholes is a staunch believer in the potentialities of bands in the 'lower' Sections. He is professional Conductor of Towester Studio Band and is constantly in demand for coaching duties by enterprising bands anxious to make progress.

During recent years he has greatly enhanced his reputation as an astute, factual and discerning adjudicator. He is also building up his ability as a composer and has had several choral pieces. marches, trombone solos and cornet duets accepted for publication.

Bill Scholes has made a tremendous contribution to the many facets of the Brass Band Movement and we are grateful for his devotion and long period of service on behalf of our Brass Bands in general.

Kibworth Brass Bands musical director for the past 20 years, Mr. William Scholes has retired.

Mr & Mrs Scholes look through the Scrap Book gift

Mr. Scholes took the band from the fourth section in brass band competitions to the top championship section in only four years.

Under his leadership, they were twice Midland champions, and played at the Albert Hall in the national championship finals four times in a row. Their highest placing was sixth. Mr. Scholes lives in Rushden, Northamptonshire. Present and former band members held a surprise presen¬tation and concert for him at the weekend and presented a colour television set.

Silver medal

Mr. Scholes, who is 76, received the silver medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians in 1969.

The new director Mr. Ray Stuttard said: "His dedication and skill are unsurpassed. It goes without saying that the band's progress and success were due to him. He will be a hard man to follow.

Roy Castle to compere

Roy Castle is to compere the evening concert, an occasion to which he is looking forward for there is brass in his blood. He is interrupting a very busy schedule in order to take part in the concert.

On the day of the concert, the traditional broadcast by the new British Open Championships will be heard. This broadcast, which includes the winning performance of the test-piece, will be heard on BBC Radio 2 from 9.15pm. It will be introduced by Alan Sykes.

From the centenary edition of the Bandsman on 5^th Sept 1987

Harry Mortimer C.B.E., not only appears as chief guest conductor at tonight’s British Bandsman Centenary Concert, he is also responsible for the British Open at which he makes his 75^th consecutive appearance.

British Bandsman 9^th March 1991, Obituary

With the death of William Scholes the brass band scene has lost a great enthusiast, conductor and adjudicator who loved bands and brass band people.

He studied harmony with George Marshall and later came under the guidance of Frank Wright. In 1945 he gained the LGSM diploma with honours and added the BBCM a year later.

In 1947 'Bill' became Ml) of Rushden Temperance, a band he quickly took to the top, gaining a creditable fourth place in the 1953 Nationals at the Royal Albert Hall. After 14 years with Rushden there followed many professional appointments with bands like Kibworth and Towcester Studio, lowly bands which he steered to the upper sections. Various others such as Aldbourne, Clydebank Burgh and Deiniolen came under his influence. In 1969 he was awarded the lies Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, followed in 1971 with the Baton of Hon­our in recognition of his service to bands.