Celebration

Derwent Brass
Musical Director: Keith Leonard
Soloists: David Neville, Philip Neville, Graham Johnson, Adrian Beresford, Dai Roberts, Karen Pitts, Ruth Fenner, Eric Johnson, Adrian Drewitt
Amadeus Recordings: CD AMS 045
Total Playing Time: 69.35 mins

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Derwent Brass hail from Derbyshire and were formed in 1992 by a small group of brass players who shared the determination to try and bring first class banding to the area. Ten years later and after a period of upward progression that has seen them win their way to the National Finals on more than a few occasions as well as win their fair share of local contests, the band is now firmly ensconced in the First Section in the Midlands Area and where in March 2002 they qualified for another stab at the National title when they came third and booked their place in the sun of Torquay later in the year.

As with many bands who have enjoyed success in a short period of time, Derwent have a strong contingent of family ties – a glance on the band personnel confirms the fact and much of its success must come from this close knit band having plenty of talented players, commitment and an MD who has been a little inspirational. The results are plain to hear on this their debut release.

13 tracks built into concert programme format are of the easy listening variety, musically pleasant to the ear with plenty of chance for the personnel to showcase their technical abilities to good effect. Nothing too strenuous and outlandish, but plenty to admire as the band produce a well balanced rounded sound, plenty of sparkle where necessary and are well directed with sensible approaches to both tempo and style. The result is a well thought out, neatly constructed and well produced release that serves as a reminder to others that playing good stuff well rather then hard stuff adequately is always a recipe for success.

The soloists in particular are on good form throughout, with Principal Cornet David Neville a player who could grace bands in the top tier with ease and style, whilst all the others are more than musically and technically secure. A neat bit of playing in the march "The President" is followed by a robust and clear account of "La Forza Del Destino", whilst David Neville steps up and gives a very accomplished account of "The Paragon".

"Lightwalk" and "Amazing Grace" are well handled, as is the Gershwin "It Don't Mean a Thing". The Jack Peberdy arrangement of "Fidgety Feet" is playful and upbeat, before the suite by Peter Graham, "Cry of the Celts" provides the bands best playing. Great stuff from the five soloists on show and plenty of drive, verve and brio from the trio on the percussion section.

Ruth Fenner and Adrian Drewitt are on good form on "Carrickfergus" and "Georgia on my Mind" and there is some foot tapping stuff in the form of "Hot Toddy", "Spiritual Sounds" and the finale from "A Celtic Suite" – "Men of Harlech" by Philip Sparke.

Making a CD can be a daunting business even for the very best of bands – choosing repertoire for instance can be minefield and making a release that is both musically consistent as well as technically secure means lots of hard work prior to the recording day. This is a good example of a band that has done its homework and reaped the rewards. If they continue to show this type of form on the contest stage come Torquay, then the start of the next ten years of Derwent Brass could well be as rewarding as the last decade.

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