Box and Fiddle
Year 16 No 03
November 1992
New Dundee Club Chairman - Bruce Quirie
by Sandy Tulloch
Almost twenty-two years after its creation, Dundee A&F Club is to have a new Chairman. The ‘human dynamo’ Jack Cooper has retired but, of course, will remain ‘ex officio’ and available for advice from his vast experience.
Being Chairman of any Committee is a demanding undertaking and we are lucky indeed to have the vacancy filled by one of our younger members, banker and respected musician, Bruce Quirie. Bruce has been on the Committee for some time as Treasurer and looks forward to the challenge of being chairman, knowing he has a loyal and hard working Committee behind him.
The Quirie family have been and remain keen members of the Club for many years. Bruce and his sister Margaret were taken to the meetings in the early days and both developed a liking for and a skill in playing Scottish music. Bruce on accordion like his friend Gary Mair, and Margaret on fiddle.
His first accordion was a 48 bass Hohner and he was taught for four or five years by fellow member Jim Grogan, mainly on classical and Continental music. His obvious love of Scottish music came later and this was guided and encouraged by Jim. He studied and practiced hard for Festival and competitive playing and enjoyed this greatly at the time but admits it would not have the same appeal now, and that he is a nervous soloist.
I feel that however expert he is now on ‘second accordion’, he should do himself justice in future, overcome his shyness and show us his ability to lead more often. Reading music was taught at school and is no problem. But, like many of us these days he uses chord symbols rather than full music.
He graduated through a 96 bass instrument to a full size Bugari and started playing at the Dundee club meetings. At that time several teenagers were attending regularly – Kevin clark (piano accordion), David Scott (drums), Gillian Simpson (piano) and of course, sister Margaret (fiddle). Jack Cooper encouraged them to get together – which of course is the great advantage of Club playing – and from these days and the guidance of Tom Clark, the Craigown S.C.D.B. was formed. This combination has been immensely successful and incredibly managed to remain together despite the difficulties of developing careers. Much in demand for R.S.C.D.S. dancing, entertaining, broadcasting and recording, they have traveled widely.
Getting away from work is not too easy now and regretfully he had to decline the offer of a ten week American tour recently. He tells me he has had the pleasure of playing with other bandleaders and is always in demand at clubs in the area where his accompaniment skill is greatly appreciated. He obviously has the welfare of the N.A.A.F.C. at heart and gives the Clubs his full support.
I asked about other hobbies, but he shrugged his shoulders and said it was “masic, music, music all the way”.
A recent party in his flat must have been some event. He thinks there were about 40 musicians including 5 drummers. A neighbouring piper heard them from afar and asked if he could join the party in the wee sma’ hours.
We look forward to your chairmanship Bruce, and wish you and your hard working committee all success for the future – maybe not for 22 years like Jack – but who knows!
by Sandy Tulloch
Almost twenty-two years after its creation, Dundee A&F Club is to have a new Chairman. The ‘human dynamo’ Jack Cooper has retired but, of course, will remain ‘ex officio’ and available for advice from his vast experience.
Being Chairman of any Committee is a demanding undertaking and we are lucky indeed to have the vacancy filled by one of our younger members, banker and respected musician, Bruce Quirie. Bruce has been on the Committee for some time as Treasurer and looks forward to the challenge of being chairman, knowing he has a loyal and hard working Committee behind him.
The Quirie family have been and remain keen members of the Club for many years. Bruce and his sister Margaret were taken to the meetings in the early days and both developed a liking for and a skill in playing Scottish music. Bruce on accordion like his friend Gary Mair, and Margaret on fiddle.
His first accordion was a 48 bass Hohner and he was taught for four or five years by fellow member Jim Grogan, mainly on classical and Continental music. His obvious love of Scottish music came later and this was guided and encouraged by Jim. He studied and practiced hard for Festival and competitive playing and enjoyed this greatly at the time but admits it would not have the same appeal now, and that he is a nervous soloist.
I feel that however expert he is now on ‘second accordion’, he should do himself justice in future, overcome his shyness and show us his ability to lead more often. Reading music was taught at school and is no problem. But, like many of us these days he uses chord symbols rather than full music.
He graduated through a 96 bass instrument to a full size Bugari and started playing at the Dundee club meetings. At that time several teenagers were attending regularly – Kevin clark (piano accordion), David Scott (drums), Gillian Simpson (piano) and of course, sister Margaret (fiddle). Jack Cooper encouraged them to get together – which of course is the great advantage of Club playing – and from these days and the guidance of Tom Clark, the Craigown S.C.D.B. was formed. This combination has been immensely successful and incredibly managed to remain together despite the difficulties of developing careers. Much in demand for R.S.C.D.S. dancing, entertaining, broadcasting and recording, they have traveled widely.
Getting away from work is not too easy now and regretfully he had to decline the offer of a ten week American tour recently. He tells me he has had the pleasure of playing with other bandleaders and is always in demand at clubs in the area where his accompaniment skill is greatly appreciated. He obviously has the welfare of the N.A.A.F.C. at heart and gives the Clubs his full support.
I asked about other hobbies, but he shrugged his shoulders and said it was “masic, music, music all the way”.
A recent party in his flat must have been some event. He thinks there were about 40 musicians including 5 drummers. A neighbouring piper heard them from afar and asked if he could join the party in the wee sma’ hours.
We look forward to your chairmanship Bruce, and wish you and your hard working committee all success for the future – maybe not for 22 years like Jack – but who knows!