Black Dyke Band

Conductor: Dr Nicholas Childs

Plaza Theatre, Stockport
Saturday 7th June

Musicians from Black Dyke Band gave members of Kingsway School in Cheadle the benefit of their experience with workshops during the day in preparation of for an evening concert which featured the world-famous band and musicians from the school.

Black Dyke commenced their programme with the march that they will play around Saddleworth & Tameside this forthcoming Whit-Friday, Knight Templar by North-Easterner, George Allen. Whilst Queensbury is their signature march, it is Allen's well-known march that they are associated with when they tackle the Whit-Friday circuit. At the end of this confident performance, conductor Nicholas Childs commented that band would be working hard during the week to make sure that their preparation is spot on and hence, produce performances that are consistent to the Dyke standard.

Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro is one of the most popular of operas still performed to this day, and it commences with a lively and enjoyable overture. This was Dyke's next offering and not only did they produce an orchestral type sound which at times was sublime, they just polished it off with consummate ease.

Whenever you attend a concert by one of our top bands in the UK, you will hear phrases such as ‘let me introduce you to our Principal Cornet player, arguably the best cornet player in the World' With a player of Roger Webster's standing, that kind of statement is hard not to disagree with. For his solo-spot, Roger sailed serenely through ‘Silver Threads Amongst the Gold', before the band changed their programme slightly to acknowledge the birthday of Peter Graham's wife, Janey. The band chose the witty Serenade by Derek Bourgeois, and quite delightful it was as well. It is one of those pieces that gives you a wry old smile, as you visualise a touchy of comedy taking place. It was by all accounts used by the composer as his wedding march - which must have made for a pretty nifty bit of aisle walking by all concerned!

Black Dyke's next offering was Sir Malcolm Arnold's atmospheric Four Cornish Dances. Arnold described Cornish people as strong in Methodism, Male Voice Choirs & Brass Bands. The standard of playing throughout all of the dances was extremely high and the band produced some rich and beautiful sounds. The third dance in particular stood out. It is in the mould of a Salvation Army style march and you could easily visualise the songsters who double up as timbralists having the time of their lives.

Flugel horn player John Doyle has suffered many a joke at his expense recently from Nicholas Childs (in the compering stakes) after he unfortunately damaged his ankle whilst playing football. John, of course, has taken it all in his stride, and it has not affected his playing one bit. Now able to stand, John gave the large audience an impeccable rendition of Children of Sanchez.

To close the first half, Black Dyke chose Peter Graham's popular tone poem, ‘Shine as the Light'. It is music that portrays a journey from darkness into light, and expands on the theme of a song by Joy Webb, ‘The Candle of the Lord' This was a wonderful performance and Dr Childs and the band certainly did not hold back. Towards the end of the work,darkness begins to change to light with the phrase ‘light me' which is repeated three times, each time the phrasing becoming stronger and stronger and light becoming more apparent. It was certainly spine-tingling stuff, and by the time the final Salvation Army song ‘The Light has come' appeared, the audience had been on a very musical journey.

The second half began with The Kingsway School Brass Band (and feeder bands) sharing the stage with Black Dyke. It was certainly tight for space on stage as the bands played two pieces that the children had worked on during the day with the Black Dyke tutors. First up was Andy Duncan's arrangement of Hedwig's Theme from Harry Potter. This was closely followed by an arrangement of music by Robbie Williams. Taking the same title of his album ‘Swing When You are Winning', it a mixture of a number of Mr Williams' hits, and all the students were loving every minute of it.

Under the guidance of conductor of Darren Wood, they quite literally had a ball, and it was obvious that a talented group of musicians were on the stage, and had benefited earlier in the day from the guidance of people such as Roger Webster, Lesley Howie, David Thornton, Joseph Cook and Brett Baker. It was interesting to notice as well that the percussion section of Dyke were keeping a close eye on their junior colleagues, making sure they did everything as guided. Towards the end of the concert, appreciation was shown by the School to members of Black Dyke who had given their time willingly, and through sponsors Sabian Cymbol Company, the school finished the evening with a new pair of cymbal's.

A key feature of Black Dyke concerts at present is the music of The Beatles and the audience were treated to two offerings:Yellow Submarine and Lady Madonna. Dyke's ‘Soloist Showcase' featured Principal Euphonium, David Thornton, Brett Baker on Trombone, and Bass player, Joseph Cook, all of them playing back-to-back. David Thornton chose Theme and Variations by Rossini. Not an awful lot is known about this engaging work. It is not mentioned in The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, which ordinarily provides a comprehensive listing of repertoire by all significant composers, and it is argued that Rossini may not have actually composed the variations, but did write the tune. Regardless of who actually composed it at the time, David Thornton took the music to heart and produced a performance that reflects this young man's ability – ‘class'.

Principal Trombone Brett Baker chose the Bill Geldard arrangement of the Russian folk tune, ‘Dark Eyes', which was originally arranged for trombone legend, Don Lusher in 1984. The final soloist of the night was one of the rising stars of the tuba, Joseph Cook. He clearly enjoyed the fun and games of ‘Carnival Cocktail' – variations on the classic ‘Carnival of Venice' and as with the four soloists who had taken centre-stage during the night, Joseph was in great form.

Black Dyke concluded this concert entitled ‘Brass Event 2003' with a marvellous performance of Procession to the Minster'. The arrangement by Howard Snell, commences with the flugel horn taking the tune, and John Doyle did not disappoint, and Black Dyke produced a beautiful symphonic sound.

Throughout the concert, the ladies and gentlemen from West Yorkshire had played to a very high standard, but special praise must be given to soprano, Michelle Ibbotson, who was exceptional all evening. Only the unwise would have bet against an encore, and conductor Nicholas Childs gave bass player Phil Goodwin a bit of birthday treat in Elgar Howarth's ‘Lucerne Song'. This composition is a great way to close a concert as it allows players to walk off stage and take the applause leaving the bass player to have fun and games on his own, before everyone sneaks back on to stage, and brings the fun and games of the aforementioned soloist to a close.

Congratulations to Kingsway School, sponsors Besson and Sabian Cymbal Company, Black Dyke Band under conductor Nicholas Childs for producing yet another concert of exceptional musical making.

Malcolm Wood

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