The Junior Guildhall Brass Band was formed in 1981 and its members rehearse on Saturdays as part of the Junior Guildhall's programme for young players. 

They commenced their programme with Peter Graham's early work 'Dimensions', displaying a balanced sound, with smooth cornet lines and under-pinned by the rich tones of the tuba section. 

With French horns covering the horn and second baritone parts, their distinctive sonority made its presence felt at times, as did the Eb trumpet covering the soprano cornet part.

It was clear that the young players enjoyed the work and it was a very enjoyable reading.

Accomplished solo playing

This was followed by Philip Wilby's 'Paganini Variations', featuring excellent solo work, particularly from euphonium, flugel, trombone and tuba. They brought out well the contrasting timbres so cleverly employed by the composed, and there was some very slick playing all round. 

Even though things were a little frenetic at times, the music was well controlled, with careful attention to the dynamic range.

They contrasted the two test-pieces with Len Ballantine's setting of the melody 'Shenandoah' under the title 'Mid all the Traffic'. This brought out some beautifully sustained phrasing, with effective use of rubato and subtle rises and falls.

Young Musician contender

Principal Cornet Zachary Eastop is appearing in this year's BBC Young Musician competition, and was given the opportunity to feature one of his items, with tuba player Elliot Launn providing the excellent piano accompaniment. 

Playing the first movement of Eric Ewazen's 'Trumpet Sonata', he communicated well with the audience in this attractive work. Declamatory at times, the dialogue between trumpet and piano in the muted section was particularly effective, and his reading brought out the Copland-esque nature of the writing.

Holst in an unfamiliar guise

A brass quintet made up of some of the younger players presented the march from 'A Moorside Suite'. With the cornet payers switching neatly onto trumpet, the reduction from full band to quintet meant that everyone was kept very busy, but apart from a couple of intonation issues it was a very good performance.

Mendelssohn gem

More versatility was shown as a ten-piece group tackled the 'Scherzo' from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', played with a very light touch that belied the technical difficulties involved. The articulation from the trumpets at the start was matched by the trombones later on, with some very nifty slide work on display.

Energetic finale

The full band reformed for the finale, an energetic reading of 'Riverdance', with flugel once more to the fore, somehow finding the time and space to fit in the grace notes in an idiomatic and unhurried style. Once again, the playing was very tightly controlled, with crisp rhythms building to a thrilling climax.

The knowledgeable audience showed their appreciation to the talented young players, who clearly relished the opportunity to perform, another reminder of the high standards achieved by these young people.

Peter Bale