Apex
12-Jan-2010
Is it a Sellers market? It seems so as Mark Bousie ends his youth band tenure with a recording to be proud of.
Sellers International Youth Band
Conductor: Mark Bousie
Soloist: Joe Murray, Tom Ladlow, Craig Walker, Leanne Francis, Grace Brennan, Chris Palmer
Music House Productions: MHP109
Total Playing Time: 69.28
The name of the top section Sellers International Band may now only be found in the obituary columns of the contesting history books, but the remarkable Youth Band is very much alive and kicking, and carrying its generous sponsors identity well into the 21st century with pride and a great deal of success.
Double celebration
This recording is a bit of a double celebration – the first acknowledging the 10 years which have past since the band was formed in 1998, and the second, the tenure of its inspirational young conductor, Mark Bousie.
That seven year partnership has since come to an end, but not before it was crowned by winning the Advanced Section of the National Youth Band Championships in Manchester in 2009.
It’s rather appropriate then that the last track on this enjoyable release is Peter Meechan’s ‘Curtain Call’ – a bit of a musical Dame Nelly Melba fond farewell – not just for the MD, but also for a number of his talented performers too.
Lifeblood
Such is the nature of youth banding for organisations such as Sellers that there is always a continuous turn over of players – to university, work or even other bands. The lifeblood has to be renewed, and Sellers has successfully done that over the past decade or more, due in no small part to that inspirational direction from the middle, and by the support given by Sellers patron, David Armitage.
This recording is therefore a fitting thank you to both.
Quality
The 20 concert tracks are an eclectic mix – from the traditional march ‘Castell Coch’, through Bill Haley, Loius Prima and Henry Mancini, to New Orleans funeral swagger and mixed Americana, a quick detour to the Sally Army, Broadway, not forgetting a batch of original brass band works and a couple of quality solo interventions.
The enthusiasm and commitment are palpable – sometimes a little too palpable, but the overall quality of the playing is testament to an adherence to solid band playing virtues – warm tones, good intonation and an appreciation of balance.
Striving
There are clips and blips and moments of unease of course, but you would expect that from a youth ensemble. It’s good to hear that striving for excellence too – nothing can be more off putting than an artificially sanitised ‘airbrushed’ recording.
It is helped by a sympathetic bit of recording ambience and balance from the sound engineer (although the singing on the ‘Goldcrest’ march seems to come from the next door neighbours house), which has a clear immediacy.
Sense of style
The inclusion of Peter Graham’s ‘Dimensions’ shows the bands admirable test piece discipline, whilst the featured soloists are on fine form too – with Joe Murray (who has since gone on to play with Grimethorpe) a composed lead on Peter Meechan’s atmospheric ‘Apex’ – a demanding solo played with an accomplished sense of style.
His ‘Fanfare for a Festival’ is another interesting piece too – almost like a Michael Nyman take on what at first hearing would appear to be something quite straightforward.
The other items on the CD also reveal a keen appreciation of style, whilst that final ‘Curtain Call’ brings to a close a release that Sellers Youth band should be proud of.
Iwan Fox
What's on this CD?
1. Castell Coch, T.J. Powell, 3.22
2. Valero, Swearingen arr. Sandy Smith, 2.12
3. Apex, Peter Meechan, 3.50
4. The Can Can, Offenbach arr. Richards, 2.27
5. Singin’ in the Rain, Nacio Herb Brown arr. A. Fernie, 4.20
6. Dragnet, D. Newman arr. D. Broadbent, 2.09
7. There is a Green Hill Far Away, N. Bruce arr. R. Newsome, 3.20
8. Fanfare for a Festival, Peter Meechan, 2.12
9. Dimensions, Peter Graham, 9.23
10. Just a Closer Walk, trad arr. A. Fernie, 3.17
11. Georgia on my Mind, Carmichael arr. A. Morrison, 3.29
12. Sempre Fidelis, J.P. Sousa arr. C. Hewitt, 3.19
13. Moon River, H. Mancini arr. A. Fernie, 3.08
14. Sing Sing Sing, L. Prima arr. J. Thomas, 3.43
15. Rock Around the Clock, De Knight & Freedman arr. A. Fernie, 1.47
16. In Perfect Peace, K. Downie, 3.48
17. Goldcrest, James Anderson, 3.02
18. Finale (William Tell), Rossini arr. Hawkins, 3.46
19. The Irish Blessing, Joyce Bacak arr. S. Bradnum, 2.41
20. Curtain Call, Peter Meechan, 3.37
Total Playing Time: 69.28
