Ever Ready Band

Conductor: Stephen Malcolm

Durham Gala Theatre
January 19th 2003

The Band were conducted and compered throughout the evening by their resident conductor Stephen Malcolm.

Just under one year ago (Jan 20th 2002) the prestigious Durham Gala Theatre opened to the public, a star studded opening concert featuring West Life, Bonnie Langford, Les Dennis, Nicholas Parsons and Simon Cowell was performed to a capacity audience, but the very first public live music played that night was the opening item, performed by the Champion Band of the North of England, Ever Ready.

Almost 12 months on, the Band returned to give their first concert in their own right. It was fitting then to open the proceedings with the same piece that was performed on the opening night, RB Hall's march "Death or Glory". Synonymous with the famous Durham Miners Gala which takes place in July, it got the concert off to a rousing start and reminded the audience of the heritage of the Durham coalfield and also the roots of the Band (as Craghead Colliery until the pit closed in 1968)

They followed that with a lively performance of "Festive Overture" and then the first soloist of the evening stepped into the spotlight. Bryan Tait is currently spending his 25th year as principal cornet of the band, and certainly looks like being around for a long while yet, giving a performance of "Carnival of Venice" which has won him many admirers and awards over the years.

Lee Bakers captivating arrangement of "Erin Shore" was followed by a piece written especially for the Band by one of its former conductors Roger Payne, probably the most famous song from "Fiddler on the Roof", the "Bottle Dance" is still as exciting today as it was when the band played it at Roger's wedding in 1984.

The evocative "For the Love of a Princess" followed, taken from the film "Braveheart" it featured some excellent controlled playing and a lovely warm sound from the Band. Next up on the solo spot was Principal Euphonium Paul Robinson, he gave a fine rendition of the famous "Be My Love" in an arrangement by the bands professional conductor Ray Farr. To conclude the first half, the audience was transported to Rome and the magnificent images of Gold and Purple marching down the Appian Way in the march from "The Pines of Rome".

Suitably refreshed, the audience retook their seats for the 2nd half of the concert. Alan Catherall is well known as an excellent arranger for bands, and the Ever Ready Band is even more fortunate to have him in their cornet section. His first offering on the night got the 2nd half underway and a stirring rendition of the theme music to the film "Batman". The band's Principal Trombone was next up in another Ray Farr arrangement of "Why did I choose You", and he was shortly followed by colleagues Garry Reed (2nd) and Gareth Sykes (Bass) in a highly entertaining version of "I will Follow Him" from the film "Sister Act".

Despite the name, the Ever Ready Band is totally self financing, receiving no sponsorship whatsoever since 1992, several years of nomadic life ended in November 2000 when the band members took out a mortgage and purchased the old Salvation Army Hall in Stanley as their rehearsal venue. It was then discovered that Maurice Murphy had actually learnt to play in that hall and the band were delighted when Maurice accepted the position of Honorary Life President. Since then the Band includes a Salvation Army piece in its programs and tonight's choice was the great march, "Goldcrest". Not only is it a good march, it gives the band the opportunity to exercise their vocal talents in the Trio.

The final two soloists of the evening followed with each of them playing pieces specially arranged by Alan Catherall. Nicola Williamson on flugel gave some beautiful treatment to the classic ballad "Evergreen", while the bands youngest player, 17 year old xylophonist Anne Armstrong, wowed the audience with a stunning rendition of "On the Track". Easy to see why Anne is principal percussionist with the NYBBGB.
To end the concert, the audience was treated to three Ray Farr arrangements of immense popularity.
"Riverdance" has gained notoriety since it first appeared as a fill in piece at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin a few years ago, tonight it went down really well with the audience and featured some nifty Irish dancing from Bryan Tait and Nicola Williamson. This was followed by Ray's latest concoction, the "Ugly Peanut".

Written for last years Brass in Concert Championships, it is a riotous mix of the "Good, the Bad and the Ugly", and the "Peanut Vendor", and features a huge amount of choreography from various members of the band, not least soprano cornet Les Palmer (as a Mexican bandit) and Bryan Tait (at one point on a wooden hobby horse). The whole performance ends with everyone on their feet and bags of peanuts being catapulted into the audience and goes down tremendously well as a finale to the Bands concerts. While the audience were enjoying their peanuts, the Band said farewell in true style with a version of "The Cup of Life".

The knowledgeable audience thoroughly enjoyed their evenings entertainment, and the Ever Ready band have already been booked to return to the theatre to give another concert.

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