"A Sett of Minuets and Marches Inscribed to The Rt. Honble. Lady Catharine Murray by I.R. Esqr.", London, 1781.
John Reid pursued parallel military and musical careers. At the time of the publication of this march he was a colonel, in the 95th regiment. He ultimately rose to the rank of General, and left a substantial bequest to endow a professorship in the University of Edinburgh.
Reid's instrumentation for two melody instruments, two horns and bass was a standard line-up in both military and civilian band music of the period (military musicians were often called upon to reinforce or replace their civilian counterparts). No mention is made of percussion but the marches should presumably be reinforced by drums, possibly by exotica such as the fashionable Turkish Crescent, or "Jingling Johnny". The current edition includes parts for horns in the original key, and in F where different; for oboes/flutes and also for clarinets in B flat; and for bassoon. An independent keyboard version is also provided.
John Reid was major in the 42nd regiment of foot (Black Watch) before his promotion to colonel in the 95th regiment shortly before the present march was published. He had used it as a regimental march (based upon his song "The Highland Character [or The Garb of Old Gaul]) in his term as major.