The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Self-taught musician played with big names in showbusiness
Retired teacher Graham Rylance of Perth, a talented musician and artist, has died aged 96.
He was a self-taught musician who joined Perth Silver Band aged 14 and went on to play with some of the biggest names in showbusiness.
Graham had a long career as an engineering foreman before entering teaching in his mid-40s.
He was based at Kirkton High School, Dundee, but taught brass instruments at various schools in the city.
Outside work he played with dance bands such as the Bill Wilkie Band, Murrayshall Dance Band, appeared with Acker Bilk and turned down a tour with Kenny Ball because it would have meant being away from his family.
Graham Finlay Rylance was born in Perth in April 1927 to Isabella Rylance of Scott Street and grew up with a stepsister and stepbrother. He was educated at Kinnoull primary and Balhousie Boys’ Secondary School before beginning work as apprentice engineer with Angus Garage in Perth in 1942.
After three years he was called up for national service and served with the Black Watch in India before returning to his old job.
Graham was then offered a post with the Co-operative garage in Feus Road where he worked his way up to become foreman engineer and remained there for 25 years.
At the age of 45 he enrolled at Napier University in Edinburgh to achieve his life’s goal of becoming a music teacher.
After he qualified he found employment in Dundee and from his base at Kirkton High travelled widely to give lessons in brass instruments.
Graham was also very proud to conduct his senior
school’s concert band at the Caird Hall in Dundee and during his teaching career was asked to produce a score for the BBC.
In his leisure time, Graham was a regular playing with dance bands at Perth City Hall, the Wheel Inn and venues in Dundee and across Scotland.
He was also a longserving member of the Black Watch TA, an honorary member of its Perth sergeants mess, and played at the military tattoo in Edinburgh, royal garden parties and military shows across the country.
After Graham retired at aged 65 he went back to his love of art and marquetry and had a large collection of paintings displayed in his home
He also took up calligraphy which led to his doing the calligraphy for weddings at Scone Palace near Perth, and also updating an ancient scroll for a local solicitors’ company. Graham also did Sudoku every day, learned to use Facebook, taught himself to play the keyboard and, until the age of 93, was out entertaining at Bathgate Court Sheltered Housing in Cupar and Elmwood College in Fife.
He was a member of Perth Probus Club and played bowls for many years with Darnhall Bowling Club then when it closed he joined Bankfoot Bowling Club where he and his wife Margaret enjoyed biannual trips to Newcastle.
Graham had married Margaret in June 1949 and they had three daughters, Jennifer, Linda and June and two sons, Russell and Graham. He had 11 grandchildren, 23 greatgrandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Four years ago, Graham and Margaret celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary at Glamis with family and friends.