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Radio: Time for Brass

There's plenty of great music to enjoy from Ian Cottier this month.

Pontins
 

The 37th Pontins Championships went off the other weekend with their customary smooth professionalism.

Basic formula

I’ve been attending these events as a guest of the company most years since 1982 and while the basic successful formula has remained unchanged a number of other changes have occurred.

One development which everyone would (and did!) applaud however is the annual engagement of the British Army Brass Band to give a concert on the Saturday evening.

Talent

What a talented and entertaining group of musicians they are- but how disappointing that so many of the people attending for the weekend had so little appreciation of their talents as to make a totally unseemly racket in the adjacent bar, spoiling to a marked degree the enjoyment of the rest.

Next year’s contests are already in the diary for a week later, November 4th 2011.

Pleasure

My particular pleasure was to see and hear our own Isle of Man Onchan Silver Band dipping its toe in the often chilly waters of contesting.

Not only that but going home with a cup and a cheque for £500 for their well-deserved fourth place. Four of our bands now blooded in national contesting, one in each of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Sections.

Who will be next? Rushen Silver? Crosby Silver? One thing is certain; banding is alive and well and thriving in the Isle of Man.

1st November:

1. Walking with Heroes (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
Black Dyke

2. Force of Destiny (Verdi arr. Frank Wright)
Black Dyke

3. Brilliante (Peter Graham)
Besses o’ th’ Barn
Euphonium duettists: Robert and Nicholas Childs

4. Les Preludes (Liszt arr. Bram Gay)
Cory

5. Whirlwind (Peter Graham)
Austrian Youth Brass Band
Cornet soloist: Selina Ott

6. To a God Like This
(John Larsson arr. Robinson)
The Household Troops Band

7. Temple 85 (Norman Bearcroft)
The Household Troops Band

8. Just Like John (Norman Bearcroft)
The Household Troops Band

9. Nimrod (Elgar arr. Eric Ball)
Foden O.T.S

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podcast

4BR Review podcast: Lessons from Europe?

October 29 • Join the discussion on whether or not UK banding can learn from the way in which our European friends host their major championship competitions.


Gregson

Gregson at 80 in Scotland

October 28 • Music by and chosen by the acclaimed composer will be performed at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland this evening.


Paul Mealor

Foden's to premiere new Paul Mealor work at leading festival

October 28 • Foden's will give the world premiere of 'Tranquil Abiding' at St Asaph Cathedral as part of the North Wales International Music Festival.


Harry Porthouse

Porthouse reprise at Leyland

October 28 • Harry Porthouse takes over the principal cornet seat at Leyland Band from Lewis Barton — following in his father's footsteps.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Amersham Band

Friday 24 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Thaxted Church

Saturday 25 October • haxted Parish Church. Watling St, Thaxted CM6 2PE


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band VE & VJ Day Remembrance Concert

Saturday 25 October • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Regent Hall Concerts - Paddington Brass

Friday 31 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. WC1 2DJ W1C2DJ


Leicestershire Co-op Band

October 29 • Leicester Co-op Band are inviting applications for SOLO HORN & SOPRANO CORNET. We are an ambitious band with a healthy balance of contests, concerts, and community events, always striving for high musical standards in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere.


Linthwaite Band

October 29 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting band, and recently achieved 3rd place at Rochdale contest, and have a busy schedule on lead up to Christmas, and currently have a vacancy for a cornet player (position negotiable)


Garforth Brass

October 29 • Garforth Brass are looking for a second euphonium to join our friendly 3rd Section band. We rehearse on a Wednesday evening at Garforth Methodist Church, Church Lane, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 1NW from 7.30-9.15pm. We are easily accessible from the A1 and M1.


Michael Bennett

BSc, RNCM (Perf)
Performer, Composer, Arranger, Teacher


               

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