It was with deep sadness that we learned of the death of Nigel Tiller yesterday following his long battle with kidney cancer.
Where does one being to describe Nigel and the sadness and loss so many people feel from his passing.

“Stalwart” is somewhere to start – not an elegant sounding word but its meaning so aptly fits Nigel’s lifelong involvement in brass banding – Loyal, Reliable, Hard Working, Strong.

Loyal – Nigel was one of Verwood Concert Brass’ longest serving members with over 45 years under his belt, having joined in 1975. He initially started on cornet but soon switched to euphonium and then latterly moved to play Bb bass. He learned how to play at Oakmead School in Bournemouth which became legendary for producing a lot of local brass players via the school brass band led by Mr Courtney Bosanko, who was well renowned in the brass band world.

Reliable – Being a great bandsperson is not just about turning up every week, rehearsing and playing your part in concerts and contests, it’s also about being there and to be relied upon to do your bit for the band. Nigel certainly did all of the above. He was the secretary of Verwood Concert Brass through the 80’s and 90’s and was a part of the team that was instrumental in building our own bandroom. He was there supporting the band through the ups and downs of banding, keeping things going when player numbers were low and contest results could have been better! Through to helping develop the thriving banding organisation Verwood Concert Brass is today.

Hard Working – Not only did Nigel do more than his bit for Verwood Concert Brass, he did his bit for brass banding. Two organisations he was involved with, reporting on his passing, amongst many other praising comments about Nigel, said:

Wessex Band Summer School – “Nigel had a long association with the course and was very much respected. Nigel was involved in the course as a player, parent, treasurer and of course, as a wonderful double act with his beloved wife Jan in their role as custodians of the admin desk, as it was then known.”

Wessex Brass Band Association – “Nigel was the vice-chairman of the WBBA for many years and has been a vice president since. He was a very valued member of the association team and we will miss him.”

Strong – Despite Nigel’s illness he showed great strength and resilience, continuing to play and be involved in the band. Even in this past year of Covid lockdowns he attended band Zoom meetings and quizzes, of which he was often victorious, it has to be said, showing another side to Nigel. His openness of the terminal nature of his illness was brave yet refreshing. Only in the previous week he was voicing hopes that, as and when we can all get back to playing again, he would like to be part of it, regardless of whether he would still be in any condition to be playing the monster instrument that is the Bb bass! Very sadly that was not to be.

“Proud” is another word. Nigel was immensely proud of Verwood Concert Brass – it was a major part of his life and conversely a major part of Verwood Concert Brass is Nigel. When he was given his lifetime membership award of VCB he recalled “I never thought I would play in the Championship Section after competing in the lower sections for most of my time with the band, so a highlight was finishing 3rd in the Championship Section at the West of England Regional Finals in 2017”.

But it was not just the contest successes that made him proud to wear the Green and Gold-braided VCB Band Jacket or the VCB logo tie, he was proud to see the great pleasure that brass banding brings to so many people, be they players of any standard, audiences or the local community.

“A family man” – is another phrase associated with Nigel. In a banding context being in a friendly, supportive band is like being part of a big family and Nigel embraced this in more ways than one. Not only was he renowned for welcoming new members into the banding family; his friendly, kind and gentlemanly demeanour and his dry wit contributing to the band banter, but his own family was part of his band family too.

Mike, Nigel’s brother, joined Verwood Band around the same time as Nigel and is still playing with the band today. Not so long after joining the band, a young lady by the name of Jan also joined the band on cornet. In due course they became husband and wife. Jan also still plays in the band. They went on to have two sons, James and Tom, and you probably guessed it, they too have been band members. So the Tiller family or ‘Team Tiller’, as they are often referred too, are a big part of the wider Verwood Band family.
It is very clear he loved his family immensely and loved the opportunity that banding gave himself and Jan to form many long lasting and valued friendships.

To quote Nigel again from his lifetime award comments “It has been a fun and amazing time being a part of the band over the years, making so many friends up and down the country because of my association with the band.”
Well Nigel, speaking for all of your Verwood Band family, it has been a fun and amazing time you being part of our band over the many years. Thank you so much for all you have done and the joy from the friendships you have formed. You will be so missed.

We all send our heartfelt condolences and all our love to Nigel’s family and wide circle of friends.

R.I.P. Nigel.