Our Founder

Stewart Watson MBE

Aberdeen's 'Man O' Brass'

August 1938 saw the start of Stewart's playing career in Aberdeen's Boys Brigade Silver Band.  He continued to play with the band until being called up for army service in 1944.  Depending on where he was stationed, Stewart played with the City of Perth Band, Carlisle and St. Stephens Band, and the Osset Town Band, returning to Aberdeen in 1947.

In 1953 Stewart was appointed Musical Director of Aberdeen's Boys Brigade Silver Band, a position he held until his death.  One of the most memorable occasions witht the BB Band was in in 1958 when the BB Council visited Balmoral Castle.

In 1959, Stewart was appointed Brass Instructor for Aberdeen Schools, a career that lasted until his retirement in 1992.  During this period he conducted the Aberdeen Music Centre Senior Brass Band, taking them on annual courses and foreign tours.  In 1960, after a short spell as Secretary with the Aberdeen City Band, Stewart was appointed Musical Director of the Stoneywood Silver Band, now Granite City, and spent three successful contesting years with them, achieving prizes at every Scottish Championships.  In 1962, with the help of John Dalby, the Superintendent of Schools Music, Stewart formed the Bon-Accord Silver Band, a former pupils band.  this was to be the jewel in his crown.

With 100% dedication, Stewart drove the Bon-Accord Silver Band from the bottom to the top of Scottish Banding, achieving qualification to the National Finals more than nine times during his reign.  One of his highlights was in 1983 when he led the band onto the stage of the Royal Albert Hall performing behind the Black Dyke Band.  It was on home ground however he carved a reputation for the band, serving the community playing at church services, old folks homes, local parks and fetes.  Indeed, by 1979 the band had grown so big that he formed a 'B' band.  Stewart retired as Musical Director in 1993 and was appointed Chairman.

Although retired as Aberdeen's Senior Brass Instructor in 1992, Stewart's career was far from over.  He was appointed Director of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland after serving 32 years as a tutor, held the postions of Secretary of the Northern Counties Brass Band Association, Chairman of the National Association of Conductors, Musical Director of the Boys Brigade Silver Band and Chairman of the Bon-Accord Silver Band.