Langholm 1915

Music

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There was no shortage of music in the town, with four bands (brass, pipe, flute and music hall), various choirs and an amateur dramatic society. Regular events and wartime fundraisers often involved songs and instrumentals.

  • Brass band
  • Pipe band
  • Flute band
  • Milligan’s band
  • Choirs
  • Langholm Amateur Dramatic Society
  • Allison’s band
  • Musical events

Brass band

The Langholm Town Band is the oldest brass band in Scotland, having started in 1815. It competes in regional and national competitions.

The town band, c.1910

The band played for the Scots Greys as they marched through the town on their return from Waterloo in 1815. The drum below was used on that occasion and is possibly somewhat older.

The band’s historic drum

Pipe band

The band was formed in 1900 and performs at various events throughout the year, both in the town and further afield.

The pipe band, 1906

Flute band

The flute band makes very few appearances but plays an important role on Common Riding day, rousing the town very early in the morning and parading to the railway station to welcome exiles back for the event.

The flute band, 1903

Milligan’s music hall band

The Milligan family owned Buccleuch Hall and had a band which performed there and was available for hire for weddings, concerts and private parties.

Milligan’s band, c.1912

Choirs

There were six churches with choirs, including the Old Parish Church which employed an organist and choirmaster, Charles Metcalfe. Charles was born in Carlisle and was previously a professor of music in London. His father William was an organist for Trinity Church, Carlisle, and had musical associations with Langholm. Charles was no doubt partly attracted by the installation of a new organ at the time of his move to Langholm in 1893.

Charles Metcalfe

The Institute of Good Templars also had a choir, which in 1915 performed a musical in the Evangelical Union Church.

Langholm Amateur Dramatic Society

LADS staged musicals and plays in the Buccleuch Centre. It later became the Langholm Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (LAODS).

Allison’s Band

Allison’s band was led by violinist Joe Allison, with members (left to right in the photo below):

  • Base: W Fletcher
  • Clarinet: William Taylor, confectioner (1879-1950)
  • Violin: E Fletcher
  • , ? B Fletcher
  • Cornet?: T Boyd
  • Violin: J Irving
  • Violin and band leader: Joe W Allison (1877-1937)
Allison’s Band, 1918

Other musical events

Various organisations arranged ‘soirees’ and other events as entertainment and/or fundraisers, often including a musical component. This intensified during the war, including a concert to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Red Cross Hospital on …