Bob Edward
An Appreciation
by Joe McGhee
Bob Edward was one of the great characters of Scottish Music. Brought up in the Coldside area of Dundee he started playing classical violin at an early age and studies for his L.R.A.M. Diploma but unfortunately his studies were interrupted by the Second World War in which he saw active service at El Alamein and in Italy.
After the war Bob became interested in Scottish music and he had his own Broadcasting Band for many years. He was resident band at the Bruce Hotel, Carnoustie for over 20 years and was also Leader of the Dundee S&R Society where he was particularly interested in the junior members of the orchestra.
This led him to help form the Tayside Youth S&R Orchestra. He became Musical Director and under Bob’s baton the Orchestra enjoyed much success. They played at the opening of Discovery Point in Dundee. Bob wrote a Hornpipe for the occasion and this was played in the presence of the Duke of Edinburgh. The Orchestra also played for Prince Charles when he visited Dundee to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of V.E. Day. The Orchestra also recorded two very successful tapes, many of which have found their way all over the world.
Bob retired 21 years ago from his job as a sales rep with Unilever and since then offered music tuition with many of his pupils progressing to become accomplished musicians, like three times Glenfiddich Champion, Maureen Turnbull. Bob’s wife Ella died four year ago but he is survived by his son Bob, who lives in Canada, daughter Dorothy, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
As a fitting final testament to Bob a book was recently published featuring his many compositions and I am very grateful that Bob lived to see the publication completed.
He will be sadly missed by many.
Box and Fiddle
September 1998
After the war Bob became interested in Scottish music and he had his own Broadcasting Band for many years. He was resident band at the Bruce Hotel, Carnoustie for over 20 years and was also Leader of the Dundee S&R Society where he was particularly interested in the junior members of the orchestra.
This led him to help form the Tayside Youth S&R Orchestra. He became Musical Director and under Bob’s baton the Orchestra enjoyed much success. They played at the opening of Discovery Point in Dundee. Bob wrote a Hornpipe for the occasion and this was played in the presence of the Duke of Edinburgh. The Orchestra also played for Prince Charles when he visited Dundee to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of V.E. Day. The Orchestra also recorded two very successful tapes, many of which have found their way all over the world.
Bob retired 21 years ago from his job as a sales rep with Unilever and since then offered music tuition with many of his pupils progressing to become accomplished musicians, like three times Glenfiddich Champion, Maureen Turnbull. Bob’s wife Ella died four year ago but he is survived by his son Bob, who lives in Canada, daughter Dorothy, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
As a fitting final testament to Bob a book was recently published featuring his many compositions and I am very grateful that Bob lived to see the publication completed.
He will be sadly missed by many.
Box and Fiddle
September 1998