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News Archive - March 2008Malta - Episodes and Echoes Well after returning from Florida with the Battle Creek Band, I headed off to Malta with the Wind Orchestra of Sheffield University. Here I had the chance to perform Peter Meechan's Tuba Concerto "Episodes and Echoes" Peter is a very good friend of mine and I commissioned the work in 2005. I premiered the work at the Beaumaris Festival with the Beaumaris Band that year and then in 2006 I premiered the work in it's wind orchestra version at the Firth Hall with Sheffield University Wind Orchestra. I was delighted to be invited onto the tour with the band and had a fantastic time. The band performed three concerts in various venues in Malta and the highlight was the final concert of the tour. This was in the old university buildings in Malta and was an invite only concert, which included the President of the Republic of Malta as special guest. The performance of Pete's concerto was very well received and it was a pleasure to perform his work and with Sheffield Wind Orchestra too!!! Brass Band of Battle Creek - Michigan and Florida An all star line up of Brits help Battle Creek in their annual shindig celebrations. Brass Band of Battle Creek continue to make new friends wherever they perform, and recently gave their annual spring concert in Battle Creek followed by three concerts in Florida, in Sarasota and Englewood. Although the temperature in Michigan was in the region of -3c and Florida was at 24c, the music and performance was just as hot at both venues! "Although the temperature in Michigan was in the region of -3c and Florida was at 24c, the music and performance was just as hot at both venues!" Once again the brothers Gray assembled a truly eye-popping in line up of brass artistes, that included Wycliffe Gordon, Mark Lawrence and Mark Frost (trombones), Steve Mead, Matt Tropman, Demondrae Thurman, Gail Robertson (euphoniums and baritones), Les Neish, Marty Eriksson, Phil Sinder, Dean Morley(tubas) as well as a galaxy of stars in the higher brass, including the special guest for the week, Maurice Murphy (ex Principal Trumpet, LSO). It was a real treat to have Maurice in the band, and the trumpet cornet section were in awe the whole week! Maurice was persuaded to come by his good friend Richard Evans who was also conducting the band this time. The band's performance continues to reach new levels and this year the performances included 'Overture to Lawrence of Arabia', 'March from Midway', 'Born On The Fourth of July', 'Theme from Silverado', 'Tonight from West Side Story', as well as 'Baba Yaga/Great Gate of Kiev' and the 'Imperial March' from "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.' The British contingent consisted of Martin Armstrong and John Rudkin (tenor horns), Mark Frost (bass trombone) Les Neish (Eb tuba) Dean Morley (Bb tuba), Steven Mead (euphonium), Maurice Murphy (trumpet) and Richard Evans (conductor). Badinage Review The latest recording from the group of Salvationist bandsmen known as Fuoco Brass features as their guest Leslie Neish, of Foden's Band. He presents five contrasting solos, demonstrating both his dexterity and his beautiful tone across the full range of the instrument. Amongst the highlights are the title track, Kevin Norbury's "Badinage", Andrew Mackereth's "Swing Low" and the band's rendition of Kenneth Downie's "Music of Thanksgiving". For a full review visit www.4barsrest.com |
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