Carlton Main Frickley Colliery

Musical Director: Brian Grant
St George’s Minster
Doncaster
Thursday 2nd December

Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band have entertained audiences in St George's Minster, Doncaster on many occasions and their concert on Thursday 2nd December certainly proved to be one of their best.

The band began with ‘Famous British Marches', arranged Gordon Langford and immediately demonstrated how tight and controlled they are now playing under their Musical Director Brian Grant.  Following with tradition, next came an Overture, ‘Orpheus in the Underworld' by J. Offenbach, arranged Frank Wright.  Good detail to dynamics and contrast in style where evident throughout and credit must be given to the bands' soprano cornet player, Claire Taylor and Principal Euphonium, Ciaran Young.  Claire delivered an impressive cadenza along with controlled playing throughout the Overture and Ciaran showed sensitive, lyrical playing of the highest order.

The first soloist of the night was the band's principal cornet Kirsty Abbotts.  Kirsty chose to play ‘Meditation from Thais', arranged Alan Fernie which was a superb choice in the acoustic of the Minster.  She played excellently and also the accompaniment was extremely well handled by both conductor and band.  A light piece, ‘Serenata' by Leroy Anderson followed and then came the turn of the band's solo horn player, Kate Eggleshaw.  Kate chose to play ‘Elegy' from Martin Ellerby's ‘Horn Concerto' and proved what a talent she is.  Kate is still only 15 and has already been playing solo horn with Carlton Main for over a year.  She delivered a performance of outstanding tone, control and musicianship.The first half concluded with ‘Songs of the Quay' by Goff Richards.  Occasionally some of the detail was lost in the acoustic but the band demonstrated they are on good form and well rehearsed.

The second half continued with Christmas music with a Salvation Army march, ‘The Shining Star' by Peter Graham followed by a change in style with ‘The Candlelight Carol' by John Rutter.  This was well received as was the next piece ‘The Spirit of Christmas'.  The band were still on fine form and the audience certainly enjoying the wide selection of Christmas music.  The ‘Christmas Song', ‘Torme and Wells', arranged Philip Sparke again demonstrated how well the band and conductor play musically together with good solo and section work throughout.  Next came Sandy Smith's arrangement called ‘Santaclaus-trophobia' featuring every section in the band.  The back rows cornets had their chance to shine and the euphonium / baritone line demonstrated a rich, balanced sound in ‘Giving' from Santa Claus the Movie.

The final Christmas piece was Leroy Anderson's ‘Sleigh Ride'.  This is always a favourite with the audience and the highlight was definitely the horse whinny at the end by John Kendall! 

The finale, ‘Danses Polovtsiennes', Borodin, showed the class of soloist round the stand at Carlton Main Frickley. Other than those already mentioned a special mention must be made of Bridget Scott, Flugel Horn, Nick Harris, Solo Baritone and some excellent bass trombone work from Phil Spencer. The audience definitely wanted more and were rewarded with Derek Ashmore's ‘Jingle Bells'.

The whole concert was well presented by the band and conductor including an excellent range of programme.  The standard of playing was consistent throughout and the whole evening demonstrated a good, balanced, well rehearsed band. 

A very enjoyable evening and we look forward to the release of Carlton Main's next CD ‘From Main to Manhattan' due for release next year.

Paul Dobson

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