Details
The first half of the concert consisted of a trip down memory for me with many of the MD’s favourite pieces being featured. Starting with an excellent rendition of Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s ‘Horizons’, the Band moved onto a lovely performance of Ben Holling’s cornet solo ‘First Light’. This was played beautifully by the Band’s Principal Cornet, Russell Kemp.
Another favourite, Philip Sparke’s ‘A Malvern Suite’ followed. This 3 movement – ‘Worcester Cathedral’, ‘The Wye at Hereford’ and ‘Gloucester Market’, piece, describes different aspects of the Malvern area of the UK. It was written in 1984 and has become something of an iconic test piece for brass band competitions. It was first used as a brass band test piece in February 1985 at the Yorkshire Are Contest.
The geographical theme continued for a few minutes longer with the Band’s performance of Nigel Hess’ ‘The Catskills’. Arranged by Philip Littlemore, this is a part of his East Coat Sketches and describes The Catskills Mountains of the USA.
Next up was a little audience participation in the form of James Anderson’s Salvation Army March ‘Goldcrest’. In this the audience joined in to sing the chorus ‘I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart’ having first had a good practice with the band.
Sky, the group that combine pop, rock and jazz had a massive hit with Carillon in 1979 and the Band played this in tribute to Herbie Flowers who sadly died in September 2024.
The first half ended with a rousing rendition of Ted Huggens’ (real name Henk van Lijnschooten) ‘Choral and Rockout’ – again a favourite of the MD’s from 1973.
The second half opened by featuring the Training Band. This group meets every Thursday from 6.30 to 7.30 and consists of about 14 youngsters and one adult – all ably and invaluably assisted by 3 or 4 adults. The standard of the group has improved remarkably over the past couple of years and it is a tribute to the hard work of everyone involved that this has happened. They performed 4 pieces – ‘Every Time We Touch’, ‘The Wellerman’, ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’. The pieces are all especially arranged for the group with the intention of stretching the players on each part so as to aid their progression. 4 of the Training Band currently stay on into the Main Band rehearsals each week and they leave at the 9pm break.
A short break for the stage area to be reset and the Main Band resumed with a swing set. It opened with Ian Lanceley wandering through the church whilst playing Alan Morrison’s cornet solo arrangement of Clarence Williams’ ‘Sugar Blues’.
Harry James’ ‘Trumpet Blues and Cantabile’ arranged by Bill Geldard followed – this difficult piece was expertly performed by Jem Kite, Russell Kemp, Gareth Burrows, Siân Lanceley and Mette Lundorf.
Bob Turner, the Band’s longtime soprano player announced earlier in the year that he would have to leave as he and his family were about to emigrate to Cornwall. Unfortunately for them, but fortunately for us, that move hasn’t taken place yet and so he and Chris Willard were able to give the World Premiere of Bob’s arrangement of Benny Goodmans’ ‘Memories of You’. Bob has arranged this as a trumpet duet with band accompaniment and it was well worth waiting for.
Peter Graham is well known as an excellent brass band composer and he is responsible for the next piece. ‘Cats Tales’ was written whilst Peter lived in New York and is a tribute to all of the jazz legends or ‘Jazz Cats’ that he met out there. It is a real test of a band’s ability and, I’m pleased to say, the Main Band did an excellent job with it.
The concert programme closed off with Alan Fernie’s arrangement of Cy Oliver’s hit ‘Opus One’ followed by Barrie Gott’s foot-stamping ‘Swingtime Religion’. The Band relaxed at the end of this only to find that the audience wanted more and so an encore ensued. Louis Prima’s ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ arranged by Dan Price sent them all home happy after what had been – judging from the comments afterward – an excellent evening.
Well done and a big thankyou to all concerned in any way, whether as a performer or a helper. The evening wouldn’t have happened without you.
The Band’s next engagement is for the Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade.