Black Dyke Band

Conductor: Nicholas Childs
US Tour 2004
Saturday 31st January

The Black Dyke Band were in the US recently for a series of events in New Jersey . They were hosted by the Atlantic Brass Band, who are ensemble-in-residence at Rowan University . There is a strong brass connection with Rowan University in addition to the Atlantic Brass Band - Rowan is home to the Maynard Ferguson School of Jazz, with long time Ferguson arranger and sax player Denis DiBlasio as its director.

The band arrived on Friday, January 30th , and overcame the rigors of air travel, rehearsing twice and then giving it's first concert on Saturday night. The brass band medium is not familiar to American audiences, who are steeped in the wind band tradition. Needless to say, the wonderful playing of the band dazzled, and even astounded the American crowds throughout the tour.

Dr, Nicholas Childs programmed some challenging music for audience and band alike in the first half of the performances, with Howarth's Concerto for cornet and Peter Meechan's new euphonium concerto. Both were wonderfully rendered by Roger Webster and David Thornton respectively and very well received. All too often, brass bands will visit the US and present a program which, while pleasing and impressive, sidesteps the serious contributions to the brass band body of music. In the opinion of this reviewer, American audiences can and should hear this aspect of brass banding, and Dr. Childs is to be praised for such efforts in bringing new music to new audiences.

The audience also had the pleasure of meeting composer Peter Meechan, who accompanied the band on this visit. He is Young Composer in residence at Black Dyke.

On Sunday, after an early morning rehearsal, the band set off for New York City for touring, compliments of the Atlantic Brass Band. During this time, Dr. Childs remained with Atlantic , and conducted them through a vigorous 3 hour rehearsal without break, using a combination of wit, some gentle chiding, and his immense store of brass band knowledge to raise the level of the band's playing in even so short a time. He also demonstrated considerable patience in pushing the band's rehearsal standard toward his own. The Atlantic band members were most appreciative of his work, and it will no doubt show in future performances of the band.

Monday featured a daytime masterclass attended by about 700 students from area schools. The musical points were well made by the director and individual members, and the students, whose musical tastes are perhaps as far removed from a brass band as one can get, responded with a resounding standing ovation.

Monday night's final concert featured Webster and Thronton once again, with similar enthusiastic response to performances and music. The first half concluded with Wilby's Jazz, and here was another programming high point. American brass bands, while not at the British standard, often perform similar "warhorses" to that which British bands do. However, the American bands cannot perform the top test pieces to a level that approximates what the top British bands can do, so the performance of Jazz was really wonderful exposure of top level music by a top level band. There was also the added feature that on Monday night's concert, there were quite a few professional msucians in the audience, and they were most appreciative of the fine playing of fine music.

During the second half, Philip Smith, the principal trumpet player with the New York Philharmonic, traveled some distance to solo with the band, performing Hime's Jubilance. His performance was a treat for everyone, and he made it clear in his opening remarks that he enjoyed performing with Black Dyke thoroughly. Following Smith's brilliant performance, flugel player John Doyle had to follow with his own solo on Children of Sanchez. It wasn't an enviable position, but Doyle played it exquisitely with fine support from the band, and received his own tumultuous ovation.

In addition to the wonderful music of the weekend, the après-concert socializing was very special indeed, and the Black Dyke Band have made many firm friends with the Atlantic Brass Band, the WillPAC performing venue, and Rowan University . British readers should know that the Dr. Childs and the Black Dyke Band were the very finest proponents of British brass bands throughout their visit.

Herb Roselle, Concert organizer

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