Williams Fairey Band

Conductor: Bryan Hurdley

Stockport Town Hall
Friday 13th December

The year 2002 is one that Williams Fairey will not forget for a while. It has been a year of change with new players coming in and a change in direction at the top with Allan Withington taking over the reigns as conductor. The men from Stockport though completed their contesting year by taking the National title on what they will say is ‘their piece' - Masquerade, by Wilby.

Victory in London means that the band are on a high at present and with that famous trophy at the front of the musicians, Fairey's started off their Christmas celebrations with a concert in Stockport Town Hall. Under Bryan Hurdley, they commenced the night's proceedings with a march played at an exceptionally lively tempo, Shield of Liberty by JJ Richards. The most familiar Christmas Festival Overture is the one by Leroy Anderson, but Fairey's chose the music of John Golland, entitled ‘A Christmas Overture'. The late Mr Golland wrote many pieces for band and though it might not be played as often as Anderson's popular Christmas offering, depicts the seasonal scene nicely. Throughout the opening two pieces, it was evident that the band was in fine form, with good playing throughout the band. Many of our top bands feature some film music in their concert programmes and Fairey's were no different. Bryan Hurdley and the band chose music from the award winning ‘Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone' and Hedwig's Theme, arranged by Andy Duncan. Once again, some well-balanced atmospheric playing brought home just how important music plays these days in the success of the film.

Ian Porthouse needs no introduction and he was the first soloist of the evening. Ian chose ‘The Holy City' by Stephen Adams and we were given a sublime reading of the traditional religious tune. Salvationist William Himes, has written an awful lot of music for brass band, and he has taken a touch of Bizet and turned it into what is known as ‘A Three King Swing'. The music is very much swing/big band style, and Pete Shaw on Repiano was exceptional as was ‘depping' young trombonist, Steven Haynes, who throughout the evening was in excellent form.

Great bands have great soloists' and flugel player Neil Hewson certainly fits into this category. Neil chose a solo which is certainly in ‘vogue' (with two of the championship section bands in Cheshire, anyway) The Children of Sanchez. This is not the easiest of solo's to play, and Neil made it sound so easy. It was pure class and was one of the highlights of the night. Torstein Aagard-Nillson, is a gifted Norwegian composer, whose music is now featured in many band programmes. Fairey's choice was ‘Norwegian Dance'. To close the first half, we had one of those pieces that is a must at Christmas – The Ray Farr arrangement of Troika

The second half opened as the first half had closed – in a lively fashion. Mark Freeh's arrangement of Malaguana got things moving again. Owen Farr was next up front-of-stage for the soloist's spot, and he chose one of the classic tunes from The Carpenters, ‘Goodbye to Love'. Owen has just completed his studies at the RNCM in Music and has gone back as a tutor and you can see why. The tone of Owen's playing was a delight and without question his is an outstanding player. Christmas concerts just would not be the same without some carol's and audience participation. Hence, the traditional ‘O Come all ye faithful, Silent Night, and later, Hark The Herald Angels Sing' were featured.

Sandy Smith is not just good horn player, but a very accomplished arranger. The ex-Dyke and Fairey's man has taken a number of Christmas songs that go under the banner of ‘Santa Claustrophobia'. In typical style of Mr Smith, its a pretty lively and up-temp medley and you can lose count pretty quickly at just how many songs are included, and once again, Fairey's made it sound so simple.

How often do you see an advert on the television and you remember it for the music, as opposed to what it is being featured? The commercial for Delta Airlines could fit into this scenario. The music, Adiemus, by Karl Jenkins was featured and of course, it became a hit. Fairey's have recently recorded a new CD and this piece is featured. In this performance, soprano player, Kevin Crockford was exceptional.

As this traditional concert in Stockport is an opportunity for the band to say thank you those who have supported them throughout the year, it is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge those within the band for their achievements throughout the year. Earlier in the evening, the award of ‘Performer of the Year' went to that voice of the Euphonium, Morgan Griffiths. The award for Bandsman of the Year, takes into consideration, the commitment and dedication given, and once again it went to cornet stalwart, James Leggat, who has won the award in the past on a number of occasions.

To conclude the evening's music, we were treated a very brisk Finale from William Tell, where Brian Taylor & Ian Porthouse shone through. It's very rare that you go to any brass band concert and not get an encore. Bryan Hurdley, who had compered the evening in a very relaxed manner, took two young ladies from the audience – one to conduct the band and the other to player the bells in Ernest Tomlinson's arrangement of Leroy Anderson's Sleighride. It brought to an end a wonderful night's entertainment by the 2002-03 National Champion Band of Great Britain.

Malcolm Wood

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