Mill Creek Colliery Band

Resident Conductor: Malcolm Forsyth
Concert Conductor: Kevin Norbury
Compare: David Cook

McDougall United Church, Edmonton, Alberta
Friday 7th February 2003

After driving around for ten minutes trying to find the hidden parking lot of the MacDougall United Church, I nestled my Cavalier into a three dollar parking spot and received a traditional smile after I said I was on the list. But if I hadn't received free tickets, I would have undoubtedly paid the nominal fee to see the Mill Creek Colliery Band, a brass band I might mention, take on Harry Potter and the Lion King.

The concert began with and included throughout, commentaries by David Cook, a professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the U of A, who provided background information on the pieces the band was playing and Kevin Norbury conducting. The first tune was John Williams Olympic Fanfare and Theme, which was a strong piece written for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and was a good indication of the strength and vigour of the other pieces in the concert.

The thirdly, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was one of my favourite pieces. This isn't because it was from one of the biggest movies of last year, but because it showed to a great extent that brass music plays a huge part in popular culture, and for someone who hasn't seen the movie, it was exceptional. Here is this form of music that is quite old and traditional, and it can evoke such harmony and emotion from a blockbuster film. This was also an indication to me that brass band music was not only for baby boomers and their parents, but something that people from all ages should experience, and without knowing it, probably have experienced in some of their favourite movies.

Another piece that showed the great diversity in brass band sound was Norbury's Flourish and Dances, which was a spectacular piece that really showed off the brass instruments, and was divided into four pieces that combined different musical styles. This was not the only piece in the series to do that, as a Disney Fantasy was a melange of different Disney movie themes, as was the Essential James Bond of various Bond themes during the show's history. The third piece in the second part of the concert, Barney's Tune, featured solos by Chris Taylor on Bass Trombone. Aside from the great solo, this song added innovative elements, such as the whistling from the cornet players in the band, who also performed really well during the Circle of Life, when they had to shout and make "jungle" noises in arrangement with brass style music.

The concert finished with an encore of Bridge on the River Kwai, a classic theme from a classic war movie, which was exceptional in the energy, composition, and harmony of the band. It also happened to be my dad's favourite song. Overall I was very impressed with the professionalism of the band and how well they brought in traditional brass sounds into the realm of popular culture.

by Anna Rozwadowska

The Mill Creek Colliery Band

The tradition of British brass banding is alive and well,
in Edmonton, Alberta CANADA

The MILL CREEK COLLIERY BAND had its beginnings in 1995. Brought together by Scott Whetham, Principal Tuba with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the band sought to promote the British brass band tradition in western Canada, employing all the traditional instruments of that ensemble.

The band's first performance was "trial by fire", a C.B.C. noon hour concert and radio broadcast, on June 21, l996. An ensemble of eleven players performed arrangements of Verdi, Albeniz, Beethoven, Dvorak, MacDowell and Sousa.

The name of the band pays hommage to the historical connection between 19th century working class northern England, and the brass bands of the period. It also refers to a prominent ravine area in Edmonton, itself the site of important coal mining activity in the early days.

After existing for several years as an 11, then 15, member professional group, a decision was made in 2001 to continue on with a mixture of professionals and serious amateurs, with everyone donating their time and services. This allowed the band to grow in size from the original number of 11, to the full 25 piece group that is the standard British instrumentation, providing the band the authentic "brass band sound". A weekly rehearsal schedule was established, Monday evenings from 7:30 to 10:00. The band was "roving" for awhile, rehearsing in series of oddball venues, before settling down in the good working acoustic of the rehearsal hall of the Winspear Centre for Music, in downtown Edmonton.

The "enlarged" MCCB presented its first set of concerts on May 24/25, 2002, under the direction of MALCOLM FORSYTH, a distinguished Canadian composer. The programme on that occasion was:

Under The Double Eagle J.F.Wagner
Blenheim Flourishes James Curnow
Shepherd's Song arr. Goff Richards
Royal Parks George Lloyd
Batman - The Movie Elfman arr. Catherall

I N T E R V A L

Elegiac Melody - the Last Spring Grieg
True North March Kevin Norbury
Piu Jesu Andrew Lloyd Webber
Love Changes Everything arr. Bulla
Elsa's Procession (Lohengrin) Wagner arr. Himes

The band was extremely well received, and encouraged to plan a concert subscription series for 2002-2003. The first of the series' concerts was presented on October 26th in Edmonton, and October 27th, 2002, in St. Albert, again under the direction of Malcolm Forsyth.

The biggest challenge for the band has been the search for the proper "brass band" sound. It is a unique ensemble, and to the uninitiated, requires specialized training not unlike what an early music ensemble, or other period instrument group requires. Many of the band members are playing relatively rare instruments, such as the soprano cornet, tenor horn and baritone. The manner in which the music is scored demands an almost "choral" style playing, particularly from the cornet section, which is not generally found in other types of ensembles containing brass instruments.

The brass band movement has attracted the interest of the greatest of of composers: from Britain, Scandanavia, North America and elsewhere, who place great technical demands on the band, as well as requiring a very lyrical approach. Musically, the repertoire presents a great challenge to the band, which is what holds the interest of the professional players and consequently maintains a high musical standard for the group. In December 2002, the Mill Creek Colliery Band enjoyed a very successful Christmas concert at the WINSPEAR CENTRE FOR MUSIC, Edmonton's acclaimed concert hall. An audience of l300 enjoyed the band and the Greenwood Singers. The choir was led by Robert de Frece, and the band by DEREK BROADBENT, a well known brass band conductor from England.

Now in 2003, the season continues with "The Colliery Band Goes To Hollywood" on February 7th and 9th, with visiting guest, KEVIN NORBURY.

The Spring Concert will be "A Night At The Proms" on April 25th and 26th, conducted by Malcolm Forsyth. Tickets are available at: TIX on the Square in Edmonton. Charge by phone 420-1757, or on line (www.tixonthesquare.ca). Take you chances at the door on concert nights!

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