Black Dyke Band

Principal Conductor: Nicholas Childs
Associate Conductor: Peter Graham

Ayr Town Hall
Saturday 8th March 2003

The first visit of Black Dyke to the town of Ayr in over 40 years, organised by Ayr Citadel Corps of the Salvation Army in aid of their new building fund, had been eagerly awaited for some time. The capacity audience who filled the hall anticipating an excellent evening's music making, were not to be disappointed!

The Concert was shared by both the Band's Principal Conductor, Nicholas Childs and their Associate Conductor, Peter Graham, making a return visit to his home town. Peter conducted the first half and the Band opened in fine traditional style with James Kaye's March, "Queensbury". Berlioz' Overture "The Corsair" is not often heard in its original orchestral format which prompted Peter Graham to comment that the music was perhaps "a better brass band piece than an orchestral one!".

However difficult it may be for strings, the Band made Geoffrey Brand's arrangement sound so easy. This was scintillating stuff that also highlighted the wonderfully rich bass sound of the band, with particular mention also of the beautiful flugel tone of John Doyle. The accoustic in Ayr Town Hall is however not completely ideal for brass and occasional moments of imbalance in back row cornets and percussion particularly, were minor irritants.

The first soloist on the stand was Roger Webster, who had chosen to play Mark Freeh's arrangement of the famous Rafael Mendez Trunpet Solo, "Herje Kati". As we have come to expect from such a world class exponent of his instrument, Roger treated the audience to cornet playing of the highest standard, and at breakneck speed, although at times the accompaniment ensemble was a touch strong and not quite together.
Next came one of several arrangements in the programme, from the pen of Peter Graham, the beautiful arrangement of "Swedish Hymn" ("How Great Thou Art"). This time the band allowed the accoustic to be filled with the famous 'Dyke' sound, and was certainly a highlight for many.

Another homecoming, and this time for 'Ayrshire lass' and the Band's Principal Horn, Leslie Howie who displayed a rich warm tone in Goff Richards' arrangement of "Over the Rainbow". This was followed by the "Toreador's Song" from Alan Fernie's "Carmen Suite" (Bizet). The story behind the music was humourously likened by Peter Graham to that of a Soap Opera.....a Spanish "Take the High Road" if you like! Whatever, the music romped along!

The Band concluded the first half of the Concert with Peter Graham's own composition, "Shine as the Light". Originally written for the Salvation Army's Star Lake Music Camp, in the USA, this piece has proved to be universally popular in the extended band movement. The music depicts a journey from darkness to light, and is centred on a Joy Webb song, "The Candle of the Lord".

This was superbly played with great ensemble work, and the strains of Chick Yuill's majestic praise song, "no more we walk in darkness, the light has come" was indeed a fitting conclusion to the first half.

After the Interval, the Band returned, this time under the baton of their Musical Director, Nicholas Childs, and launched into Ray Farr's exciting arrangement of Bach's "Toccata in D Minor".

As a complete contrast, and to celebrate the 100th Anniversary this year, of the birth of Eric Ball, we were treated to some fine lyrical and majestic playing in "A Kensington Concerto" originally written by Eric Ball for the National Championship finals in 1972, and interestingly, to be used again this year, as the test piece in the First Section finals. A special moment here was the beautiful playing of Roger Webster in the opening unaccompanied bars... sublime.

There are few bands who possess soloists of the highest calibre in every position, and if the audience had already been treated to solo playing of the highest standard in the first half, then the 'Soloist Showcase' which now followed, left everyone completely breathless.

The Band's principal Euphonium, David Thornton, set the scene with a display of absolutely stunning technique, particularly in the extended cadenza, of Peter Graham's "Bravura". This was followed by the stylish and seemingly effortless playing of Brett Baker on Trombone, in Arthur Pryor's "Thoughts of Love".

Every band has a character! Step forward Tuba Soloist, Joseph Cook with another Peter Graham arrangement, this time of Vitorio Monti's famous Violin solo, "Czardas". There is only one word to describe Joseph's performance.........stupendous!!....and complete with 'double pedal' C's!!

Sandwiched in between these established soloists, was another young star, Baritone soloist Robert Richardson, formerly of the Kirkintilloch Band, who shone in his own 'party piece' in the form of the famous cornet solo, "Napoli".

All good things must come to an end however, and the Band's choreographed finale, "Call of the Cossacks", new to this Scottish audience at least, was rapturously received, before the band exited the stage with their encore "Lucerne Song".

If it had been 40 years since Black Dyke last visited Ayr, then for this audience, it was well worth the wait!
Let's hope it is not as long until the next one....'hast ye back!'

Allan Ramsay

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