TRIBUTES have been paid to Duntocher man David Laughland, who has passed away at the age of 60 after a long battle with illness.

A renowned musician in the brass band world, his euphonium playing saw him win dozens of solo and ensemble championships while also performing in sought-after venues like London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Born in September 1954, David spent the first 10 years of his life in Maryhill, in Glasgow. The family then relocated to Knightswood and five years later, moved to Duntocher, where he was to spend much of the rest of his life.

A five-time Scottish solo champion, David took his first steps into the world of brass playing as a youngster with Springburn Salvation Army in Glasgow.

Although he dabbled with the cornet in the early years, it was on the euphonium where David was to make his name as one of the finest players of his generation.

In 1974, he joined the Clydebank Burgh Band, regularly Scottish champions and at that time, one of the finest outfits in the country.

Three years later he met his other great love, wife Aileen, while studying chemistry at Glasgow Technical College and working at the Goodyear Tyre Factory in Drumchapel.

He and Aileen were soon married, with David’s infectious enthusiasm for banding washing over his wife, who would become involved as a secretary of the Clydebank Band — another role her husband had fulfilled in addition to his musical duties.

Following the closure of the Goodyear factory, David spent around 25 years working in biochemical parasitology at Glasgow University. A brief spell living in north Kelvinside ended when Duntocher again came calling and David and Aileen moved to Russell Road in 1984, where they were to stay.

Anyone passing by would often be treated to David practising in his cupboard, or even the sound of quartets rehearsing studiously in the kitchen.

A gifted musician, David was also a grade eight pianist but found time to enjoy a rich and varied lifestyle. He enjoyed cooking and would happily craft meals for anyone coming to visit in Duntocher. Gardening was also a pastime close to his heart.

His diverse interests even led to him learning Greek after a holiday in the country during a World Cup. Watching matches in the hotel, David’s frustration at being unable to converse with the resort’s manager led to him embarking on a four year course at Glasgow University — never again would he be unable to discuss such important matters.

David’s intelligence was equalled by a wicked sense of humour, once reassuring an unassuming soul that a vindaloo was a “relatively mild” curry that she would probably rather enjoy.

He was an expert in ensuring good music stayed on the pub jukebox all night for little personal outlay, and would pay 50 pence to cue up three of the worst songs he could find, leading to a steady stream of people parting with their own cash in a desperate effort to hear something better.

The word hobby drastically downplays David’s commitment to the brass band movement, with rehearsals often requiring him to be out of the house six or even seven nights a week, particularly in the build-up to competitions.

His conscientiousness shone through in any performance he was associated with and inevitably led to success on the contest stage during an illustrious playing career which saw him perform under an array of talented conductors including Geoffrey Whitham, David King, Nigel Boddice, Nicholas Childs and Richard Evans.

Counting Kirkintilloch, Newmilns and Galston, Dalmellington and Renfrew Burgh among his other bands, David also played with Scottish Co-op and enjoyed a return to Clydebank as conductor at the turn of the millennium.

He helped steer the band on an upward curve as it rose through the ranks, in no small part due to his demands for nothing but the highest standards. Batons were known to fly in rehearsals and band members were well acquainted with the phrase ‘Once more from the top, with feeling’. The hard work was recognised in no shortage of memorable performances, whether to local audiences in Clydebank or on contesting platforms around the country.

David Laughland is survived by his wife Aileen and siblings Janette, Gordon, Sheila and Phylis.

At his funeral, fellow bandsmen and women offered their own musical tribute to a man whose humour and wit touched the lives of many, but whose musicianship captured the imaginations of even more.

David Laughland: 2/9/1954 - 30/7/2015