The twin brass band ensembles of the University of Salford Band and Royal Northern College of Music Band recently presented their 2014 Brass Symposium at Salford’s Peel Park campus.

Newsome Archives

The RNCM Band, conducted by Professor John Miller, performed Mendelsohn’s ‘Ruy Blas’ overture, after which cornet maestro Roger Webster delighted the audience with the historic solo ‘The Mermaid’s Song’.

This was especially significant as Roger played on the very instrument given to the great Alexander Owen, who wrote the piece, by Queen Victoria.

The RNCM Band also played ‘Hungarian Rhapsody No.2’ — a poignant reprise, as the last time it was performed at Peel Hall was under the direction of Dr. Roy Newsome.

Newly opened

During the evening the work of Salford University Library was acknowledged in setting up of the newly opened Roy Newsome archives, made up of material he had collected through the years.

It is now available to view online at:
http://www.library.salford.ac.uk/resources/special/RoyNewsome.xml

Music from archive

Dr Howard Evans also led the University of Salford Band in music from the archive itself.

The band opened with a H. Round March entitled 'King of Kings' and then continued with excerpts from 'De Vestalinn' by Spontini, the 1914 July Belle Vue contest.

Further contributions included three dance movements from a 1930's set of pieces from Wright and Round. Featured soloist Brett Baker performed a classic 1920’s Salvation Army solo 'The Priceless Gift' by Audoire, before the band completed their set with 'Victorian Snapshots — On Ratcliff Highway' by Ray Steadman-Allen.

During the evening the work of Salford University Library was acknowledged in setting up of the newly opened Roy Newsome archives, made up of material he had collected through the years4BR

Lectures

Earlier in the day important lectures took place, with the Head of Brass Studies at the RNCM, Prof John Miller presenting ‘Manchester brass bands from 1815-1915’, followed by Dr Brett Baker, Programme Leader for Salford BA Musical Arts, speaking on trombone repertoire from 1880-1940.

Special event

The evening concert concluded with both bands joining to play 'There is a Green Hill Far Away' arranged by Roy Newsome and played in honour of Muriel Newsome who was present for the special event.

The finale was another march found in Roy's collected material from 1912, with George Marshall’s 'Soldiers of Christ'.