*
banner

The Wizard and The Typhoon to be celebrated

The remarkable lives and great music of two great County Durham brass band composers — George Allan and Thomas E Bulch is to be celebrated next month.

waizard
  The music and lives of George Allan and Thomas Baulch will be celebrated

A concert featuring music by two of the UKs greatest exponents of the march idiom is to be held in County Durham next month.

Entitled, 'The Friends of The Wizard and The Typhoon' it will see Felling Band perform works by George Allan and Thomas Edward Bulch — two men born two streets and less than two years apart in the north east village of New Shildon.

Destiny

Bulch (1862-1930) and Allan (1864-1930) were schooled together, and learned the art of making brass music together under the guidance of Bulch's uncle and grandfather.

As young men, after working together as blacksmiths at the local North Eastern Railway wagon works, destiny led them in separate directions.

Allan remained at home and became renowned for marches such as 'Knight Templar', 'Senator' and 'The Wizard', whilst Bulch, emigrated to Australia in 1884, becoming a significant composer (writing over 35 marches, air-varies, waltzes and overtures), conductor and adjudicator.

Remarkable

Dave Reynolds, who has undertaken research into both remarkable men, told 4BR: "Despite being categorised as a gifted amateur during his lifetime, George Allan was in retrospect a wonderful musician — something that is shown by the fact that his marches are still played extensively to this day."

He added: "Baulch may be less well known in the UK, but his contribution to the fledgling Australian and New Zealand brass movements cannot be over-estimated.

Armed with an armful of compositions written in England, including the march 'The Typhoon' as a 17 year old, he quickly earned the respect of the community and banding fraternity.

Baulch helped the bands raise their standards, and co-established an Australian brass journal. He was proprietor of a music shop and worked for a number of music publishing houses in Victoria.

Ironically his best known but most often misunderstood contribution to Australian culture is through a song created by someone else.

Bulch penned a tune he called 'Craigielee' which was later overheard at Warnambool Races by music hall artist Christina Macpherson, who played it from memory to 'Banjo' Patterson who then used it to accompany his lyrics for 'Waltzing Matilda'."

A pair of lads, born a couple of streets apart, around the same time, taught together in the same band, working briefly together; seemingly on parallel journeys and with similar goals but very different plans to achieve themDave Reynolds

Over a century

Dave revealed that the concert will feature 'Craigielee', so listeners will be able to hear that similarity for themselves, as well as 'The Wizard' and 'The Typhoon' along with selected other pieces by the pair, some of which were recently retrieved from archives that may not have seen them being played for well over a century.

He added: "It's remarkable. A pair of lads, born a couple of streets apart, around the same time, taught together in the same band, working briefly together; seemingly on parallel journeys and with similar goals but very different plans to achieve them.

Overall it's a tale of triumph, adventure and heartbreaking tragedy punctuated with coincidences right through to their deaths in 1930. What we have to tell is a fantastic story of two men showing that there are different ways to achieve great things despite being of humble origin."

We're thrilled to bits that Felling Band have stepped up, and offered their time to help us breathe new life into this rediscovery, and tremendously appreciative that this concert will part of the fantastic brass concert series in the Exhibition Hall at Ushaw College."

Concert details:

The Friends of The Wizard and The Typhoon
The music of George Allan and Thomas E. Bulch
Felling Band
Saturday August 4th
Ushaw College
County Durham
7.30pm

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Brighouse

Report & Result: 2025 British Open Championship

September 7 • A fait accompli for Brighouse & Rastrick and Prof David King as they are inspired by Shakespeare and Prokofiev to claim the happiest of Symphony Hall endings on 'Star Crossed Lovers'.


Band Supplies

Band Supplies at the British Open

September 6 • Go up and meet one of the best blokes in the banding business world and he will make sure you get all the help you need for the best deals.


4BR Review

Recap on the 4BR British Open preview

September 6 • If you missed the live broadcast British Open preview on 4BR then you can just click and enjoy it again ahead of the action at Symphony Hall.


Mead

Why not be a judge at the Open this year?

September 6 • If you are following the 'Sar Crossed Lovers' action at Symphony Hall today, let us know who you think has won.


Contest: 171st British Open

Saturday 6 September • Broad Street, Birmingham. B1 2EA


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Otley Brass Association

September 7 • Front Row Cornet. -. Otley Brass Band are keen to recruit a 5th member for their front row cornets (position negotiable).. . This is an exciting opportunity to join a thriving band of 30+ players under the leadership of our newly appointed MD, Martyn Beecham


wantage silver band

September 6 • Wantage Band (Championship Section) have vacancies for a Bb BASS PLAYER and THIRD CORNET to complete their line up. Plenty of great concerts from now until Christmas with the Welsh Open, L&SC Area, British Open Grand Shield and Whit Friday in 2026.


wantage silver band

September 6 • Positions vacant: wantage silver band: Wantage Community Brass (non-competitive) are looking to recruit a new Musical Director. The group is unique in that the average age is almost certainly around 70! They rehearse on Tue from 4pm and Thu from 7pm.


Derek Renshaw

ABBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd