Brass for Guide Dogs

The last ever concert of the Sellers International Band with Black Dyke for company. No a dry eye in the house and all for a great cause too.

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Black Dyke Band
Sellers International Band
Conductors: Dr Nicholas Childs & Phillip McCann
Soloists: Peter Roberts, Richard Marshall
Amadeus Recordings: CD AMSCD125
Total Playing Time: 65.49

The demise of the Sellers International Band this year was perhaps final confirmation that the long era of works sponsored brass bands had finally come to an end. 

The writing had been on the wall for such organisations for the past three decades, but despite Sellers themselves being something of an anomaly throwback to the age of philanthropic patronage, there was still a great deal of sadness felt in the general brass band movement when the final chord on their particular story came to a close. 

Philanthropy

The financial philanthropy of course came from David Armitage, whilst the musical endeavour came from Phillip McCann – a combination that despite the occasional period of time when they did not work together, was the main driving force that for 22 years saw the band grow from a college outfit to becoming a high class competitor at the major brass band contests in the UK. 

Throughout this time however, David Armitage always made sure that the band was used to benefit the community, and local and national charitable organisations in particular. Over the years over £330,000 has been raised for good causes, both great and small, and despite winning the Grand Shield, coming in the prizes at both the Nationals, British Open and Brass in Concert that particular achievement perhaps dwarfs them all.

This recording is also a fitting reminder of those twin achievements too.

Final concert

The final concert of the band took place at Huddersfield Town Hall on 26th January this year, with Black Dyke as guests and with the proceeds (over £30,000, including the sales of this CD) going to the Guide Dogs Charity. It was a very heartfelt and emotional occasion for all those involved.

The programme of music chosen for the event was unashamedly populist and audience friendly, very much a musical thank you for digging so deep into their pockets not just on the night, but over the years too.

Good form

Dyke are on good form running through their back catalogue with Richard Marshall on classy form with his solo contribution in particular.  Sellers too, with a band made up of the last players to wear the blue blazers and those of former vintages, also in fine fettle too. The massed band items are well played, and received by the audience with genuine appreciation (especially the items with the great old organ pumping along).

In addition, David Armitage has chosen three bonus tracks from former Sellers recordings to include on the release (and given what he has contributed to the band it’s a personal treat well deserved). Therefore, you get the chance to hear Peter Roberts on sublime form on the Mascagni ‘Intermezzo’ as well as a good old bash through ‘Gettysburg’ and the appropriate, subdued and thoughtful, ‘Irish Blessing’.  

Despite the name of the Sellers International Band being lost to Championship contesting, the name will live on in the banding movement through David Armitage’s continued support of the highly successful Sellers Youth Band.

They will not only continue to compete in contests but will also continue to use their talents to raise money for causes as good as this in the future too. 

Iwan Fox

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