Tributes paid as 'highly respected' Scots musician and lecturer Nigel Boddice MBE dies

Highly respected Scottish musician and lecturer Nigel Boddice MBE has died.

Tributes have been paid to Mr Boddice, one of the longest-serving lecturers at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS).

The musician was a lecturer in Instrument Performance at RCS for 44 years and was the former principal trumpet of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, a position he held for twenty years from 1975 to 1995.

The trumpet player and conductor has been remembered across the industry as a “well respected member of the Scottish music scene”.

Mr Boddice was also Chief Conductor of the Royal Norwegian Navy Band for seven years and had a memorable Trumpet Concerto appearance at the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts with the BBCSSO.

In a statement following his passing, RCS said: “We are deeply saddened to share the news that our dear colleague Nigel Boddice MBE passed away peacefully last night after a short illness. Nigel was one of our longest-serving lecturers, having been associated with RCS for 44 years.

“We’ve lost a highly respected colleague and exceptionally talented trumpet player and conductor. A true and generous musician who touched the lives of almost everyone in the building and influenced the careers of brass musicians throughout Scotland and beyond for generations.

“Nigel will be greatly missed by so many. Counselling is available to any students needing support, contact counselling@rcs.ac.uk. Our thoughts are with Nigel’s family and friends at this sad time, particularly with our wind and brass students and staff.”

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra also paid tribute to Mr Boddice by saying: “Such sad news to hear of the passing of Nigel Boddice MBE.

“Nigel was our former Section Principal Trumpet for 20 years between 1975-95 and will be greatly missed by all.”

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra also tweeted in tribute to Mr Boddice.

The company wrote: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Nigel Boddice MBE. An extremely well respected member of the Scottish music scene, Nigel will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

Mr Boddice was also a member of the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators.

The organisation, which provides adjudication for the modern brass band contest, paid tribute to him by saying: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of Nigel Boddice MBE, a long-standing member of AoBBA and well-known figure throughout the brass band community.

“We’ve lost a highly-respected colleague and friend, and our thoughts are with his family and all who knew him.”