Classic Racing Tyldesley Band

Conductor: Steven Booth

Haigh Hall, Wigan
Sunday 18th August 2002

Tyldesley Band celebrate their 125th Anniversary and 4Barsrest took the opportunity to catch up with the band whilst playing at Haigh Hall in Wigan. The Hall is set in 250 acres of park and woodland and its Victorian cobbled 'Stables Courtyard' provides a sheltered venue with a nice acoustic.

Unfortunately the sunny broken skies gave way to an absolute deluge at the conclusion of the first half so the quite sizeable and appreciative audience were left disappointed that the band were unable to fully complete their concert.

Steven Booth, one of the leading exponents of the baritone, has recently been appointed resident conductor and he directed the band in agreeable selection of music that was quite stylishly performed. It made for effective listening which certainly had plenty to commend it.

From its obvious cinematic connections 'Death or Glory' (R.B.Hall) has certainly found a niche for itself as an opener and the band chose a brisk tempo to set up their concert programme with this popular march. With a sound that was alive and vibrant, particularly the trombone section, they certainly responded to M.D's direction with keen sensitivity.

Set against the controlled opening that had a full bass sound, the vigour in the music of Goff Richards 'Doyen' was well captured in this performance by both brass and drums.

Principal cornet Chris Harper has a lovely clean tone that well suited his choice of 'Nessum Dorma', which was beautifully played and eloquently shaped.

No OTT choreography from either band or audience in the next piece the "Village People" hit 'Y.M.C.A.' The middle of the band played extremely well in this popular arrangement which was probably one of the few occasions that the band just failed to gel. That said this did not unduly detract from the overall effect piece that carried the concert nicely forward.

Solo Trombonist, Glynn Griffiths; took the audience to the 'Swanee River' for his solo, which was played in a relaxed fashion. An odd blemish didn't devalue good solo style which was, as with 'Nessum Dorma', well accompanied.

It may be a bit long in the tooth but the Eric Osterling standard 'Bandology' was quite superbly played. The band was glowing in the middle range with fine sonority and it is difficult to image that they would have played this any better.

The works of Andrew Lloyd Webber inhabit the world of 'pop' music and many of his melodies have been transcribed for brass. 'Love Changes Everything' from 'Aspects of Love' arranged by Stephen Bulla is a popular concert piece and was played here with a simple direct style. Nice dynamics and sensitive percussion allowed the principal cornet to once again shine through.

Before the Heavens opened (big time), cutting an enjoyable afternoon short, the band again turned to the march book to conclude their set with Kenneth Alford's 'Colonel Bogey'. This concluded an enjoyable concert which overall had a pleasing lightness of touch that distinguished the music making throughout.

Soprano cornet player and liaison Malc Wilson, speaking for the band, said that they are now turning their attention towards their planned celebrations for 125 years. It all kicks off at 7.30pm at Formby Hall, Atherton on Sunday 6th October with a concert featuring renowned soloists Glyn Williams, Iwan Williams, Mark Wilkinson and Sheona White with guest conductor Dr. Roy Newsome.

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