In 2025, the Longridge Band was due to celebrate its 180th anniversary (1845-2025). As part of these celebrations, we decided to commission an arrangement of A Gaelic Lullaby from Three Gaelic Sketches composed by the late Ernest Tomlinson MBE (1924–2015).
Ernest, a resident of Longridge, was a world-renowned composer of orchestral light music and was a patron of Longridge Band. He allowed us to rehearse and record in his music studio, conducted the band on occasions and gave his consent to adopt the march Best Foot Forward as our signature tune.
With our strong connections to Ernest, and with his daughter’s permission, we commissioned Dan Price to write an arrangement of A Gaelic Lullaby. In doing so, we felt that we also wanted to give bands throughout the world an opportunity to share in our special anniversary and have made it possible for any band to download this music for free to include in their concerts, providing they give mention to the Longridge Band and Ernest Tomlinson.
However, in 2025, the celebrations nearly didn’t occur as, during research into the history of the band for our 180th birthday, we came across an article in the Preston Chronicle which referred to the band performing on Saturday 18th August 1832;
“…playing a number of appropriate airs, which added to the gaiety and spirit of the company… ”
Needless to say, this gave us a problem with our proposed 180th Anniversary celebrations! Instead of cancelling, we decided to go ahead with the plans and celebrated our 193rd Anniversary in Longridge Civic Hall on Saturday 12th July 2025.
We hope you enjoy rehearsing and performing A Gaelic Lullaby and that it will be featured by brass bands in concerts around the globe, to celebrate this wonderful hobby which we love so much.
We would love to see or hear any performances of A Gaelic Lullaby. Please tag us on Facebook/ Instagram if you perform the piece in a concert.
