*
banner

Withington looks to create perfect Maestro...

Allan Withington's next project sees him link poetry and dance to ensemble brass to try and create the perfect conducting maestro...

Withington
  Allan Withington is working with acclaimed dancer Isabell Gisselgard

The latest innovative musical project to be explored by Allan Withington is certainly to take to the stage in Norway in Spring 2021.

'Il Maestro' sees the professional trumpet player and MD of Norwegian champion Stavanger Brass Band explore what characteristic traits create the perfect conductor — from introvert to extrovert, timidity to aggression, austere coolness to red hot passion.

Ideas and myths

Utilising a small ensemble of just 5 trumpets, five percussionists, poetry and a trio of contemporary dancers alongside Allan improvising as a soloist, it will also explore questions of power, charisma, talent and communication, as well as helping to debunk some of the preconceived ideas and myths that surround the making of a conducting 'Maestro'.

"That ultimate decision will be in the hands of the listeners,"Allan said when speaking to 4BR from his home in Bergen.

"I've wanted to explore this topic for some time — especially after so many years working and observing so many orchestral conductors. The complexities are obvious but there are certain traits and characteristics that are possible to define and to see in action that defines the way their make their music."

Perfect Il Maestro

He added: "I wanted to find if it would be possible to blend these elements into an 'X Factor' that creates the perfect 'Il Maestro' by combining music, poetry and dance together."

Five 'character elements' are explored and interpreted by five different dancers accompanied by the small ensemble and the reading of a short poem — each relating to how the conductor displays their musical personality — both true and false — to the players and to the audience.

"We follow the dancers taking on different personalities in order to create the art and the perfect Maestro. We see how their adopted personalities affect each other, their surroundings and their audiences.

Can all these traits then work together to express, interpret, communicate and move emotions in the right or wrong way — and who decides if they have done it successfully or not?

That decision lies with audience after the performance — but I hope it will lead them to a greater understanding of the different types of musicians are attracted to conducting and how their personalities differ in achieving their musical outcomes."

We follow the dancers taking on different personalities in order to create the art and the perfect MaestroAllan Withington

Started work

Allan has already started work on the project with the acclaimed Swedish dancer, Isabell Gisselgard (below) and said the combination of music and interpretive dance draws together two distinct but complementary art forms.

"Isabell's feel and understanding for the music and her own insight into working with artistic directors of her own brings an extra level of death to what we want to achieve. It's been such an exciting project already and its going to be fascinating working with five different dancers.

Il Maestro will premiere in Stavanger in March 2021 and will also be performed at a later date in Bergen.

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    


Denis Wick

Denis Wick Memorial Concert

June 2 • The life of the iconic musician, teacher, mouthpiece designer and businessman Denis Wick will be celebrated at a special concert this week in London.


Brass Cruise

A Brass Band Cruise with a difference

June 2 • You can enjoy a relaxing trip to three port cities accompanied by the sound of brass next year — or you can join in yourself.


Italian Brass Band

STEAM power boosts Italian outreach

June 2 • The Italian Brass Band continues to strengthen its Roman profile with its latest school link.


Shri

Core link for Shri Sriram in Bradford

June 2 • The musician will use the opportunity to perform as part of New Music Biennial to promote his brass band project Dhamaal.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


Croy Silver Band - Summer Concert

Thursday 26 June • Holy Cross Parochial Hall, Constarry Rd, Croy, Glasgow G65 9JG


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Simon Langton Brass - Deal Memorial Bandstand

Sunday 29 June • The Strand, Walmer, Deal CT14 7DY CT14 7DY


RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band

June 1 • A highly motivated and talented musician with strong organisational skills is required to lead the RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band as the Voluntary Band Instructor. This is a full time paid position (37 hrs pw)


Croy Silver Band

June 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but we always welcome enquiries for any section of the band. We rehearse in Croy on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:30pm.


Epping Forest Band

May 31 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn.. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year.. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Andrew White

MA(Ed Man), B Ed (Hons), BBCM, ADNCB, PGCE, Cert Ed
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator & Educationist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd