We are deeply saddened to share the news that our dear colleague Nigel Boddice MBE passed away peacefully on Wednesday after a short illness. Nigel was one of our longest-serving lecturers, having been associated with RCS for 44 years.

We have lost a highly respected colleague and an exceptionally talented trumpet player and conductor – a true and generous musician and gentleman who touched the lives of almost everyone in the building and who has 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, please contact counselling@rcs.ac.uk, and more information is available is on the portal and our website. Staff may wish to contact our Employee Assistance Programme.

Our thoughts are with Nigel’s family and friends at this sad time, and particularly with our wind and brass students and staff.

Nigel’s daughter Holly pays tribute to her beloved father, on behalf of his family: “Nigel was, to his very core, a cheeky chappy with a perpetual twinkle in his eye and had the incomparable ability to warm a room as he entered it. A true gentleman with high standards and quick wit, he inimitably kept everyone on their toes, both professionally and privately.

“He was Mr Boddice to many, Nigel to some, Nige to few, Dad to three, a father-in-law to two, Grandad to one and will be desperately missed by all of us.

“Details of his funeral will be released in due course, until then: share stories, remember him and look after each other.”

Nigel was the former principal trumpet of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, a position held for twenty years from (1975-95).

Highlights included solo appearances at the Henry Wood Promenade concerts, chamber work and leading the BBCSSO Brass Ensemble.

Nigel worked across several RCS programmes, primarily in the RCS Brass department and specifically with the trumpet students. He has input into all ensemble activities, from the brass department to all the RCS ensembles.

Nigel led the Wind Orchestra programme alongside distinguished colleagues and created challenging programmes to inspire, more often than not, with world premieres.

He developed students in basic conducting skills to bolster the community ensemble conductors throughout Scotland.

Nigel also enjoyed a seven-year stint as Chief Conductor of the Royal Norwegian Navy Band and performed a memorable trumpet concerto appearance at the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts with the BBCSSO.

Outside the RCS, Nigel was in demand for youth orchestra concerts, brass and wind ensemble conducting and training, as well as international adjudication appointments.

Nigel received an MBE in 2005 for his musical input and work with the youth of Scotland generally, and West Lothian specifically.