The Sheldon Theatre Band, based in Red Wing, Minnesota, USA, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and as part of the celebration, the band recently performed a very special concert.

Gala fashion

The audience arrived to find the stage decorated in a gala fashion, with a '20th Anniversary' sign surrounded by balloons, whilst cupcakes and cake were served in the lobby.

Ten of the band’s original members still play in the group, and to provide an additional link with the band’s history, founding director Gene Beckwith and founding member Larry Brentzel, who became the band’s second MD, each conducted a part of the program.

One of the exciting features was the world premiere of a new work that the band commissioned from British composer Robert Collinson4BR

Programme

The programme included selections from the band’s very first concert and key milestones from their history.

Ken Roberts, one of the band’s founding members, was the featured flugelhorn soloist on Collinson’s arrangement of 'The Waters of Tyne.' E-flat bass player Dr. Gary Bird and soprano cornetist Keith Thompson, two of the band’s newest members, were also featured too.

Exciting feature

One of the exciting features was the world premiere of a new work that the band commissioned from British composer Robert Collinson.

Titled, 'March of the Polished Brass: The Sheldon Main Street Strut', it depicts a band preparing for a parade — from start to exhausting finish and is based on the 'Barn Bluff' theme introduced early in the work and named for one of Red Wing’s most striking landmarks.

Great to see

The composer traveled to Red Wing for this premiere performance and addressed the audience after conducting his march.

He told 4BR: "It’s great to see that brass bands are alive and well in the USA and performing to such a high standard."

Both band and audience were surprised and thrilled when presentations including a crystal trophy and huge signed birthday card from Stalybridge Old Band were made.

Television

A television crew videotaped the 20th Anniversary Concert for broadcast on public access television networks and to give the band an archive of this historic occasion.

In addition, the crew videotaped an extended interview with Rob Collinson that will be played on TV in conjunction with the concert video.