As part of the prestigious Festival, a capacity audience descended on Newbury’s Corn Exchange for this evening of virtuosity under guest conductor David Childs.

The first half displayed the talents of Richard Marshall in Edward Gregson’s ‘Cornet Concerto’: His magnificent playing was sympathetically accompanied and provided a masterclass in performance technique and delivery. The second movement was a particular highlight; utilising beautiful lines from the composer’s 2013 National Championship composition, ‘Of Distant Memories’.

Fitting trio

Given the close association between David Childs and Sir Karl Jenkins, it seemed entirely fitting that the celebrated Welsh composer had three works featured. 

Robert Childs’s skilful arrangement of the ‘Suite from Stabat Mater’ showcased the lyricism of former Radio 2 Young Brass Award winner, Daniel Thomas (euphonium), through the work’s hauntingly beautiful ‘Lament’. ‘For the Fallen’ was given an ethereal performance and ‘A Troika? Tidy!’ - the finale from the composer’s ‘Euphonium Concerto’, revealed incredible technique from both soloist and band.

Davis and Dorsey

Away from the confines of contesting, Peter Graham’s ‘On The Shoulders of Giants’ was presented as a showpiece featuring Zoe Hancock (flugel) and Brett Baker (trombone). Given time and space, both excelled in the Miles Davis and Tommy Dorsey-inspired ‘Lento’. 

The technical demands of the outer movements were also hugley impressive: Bruckner would surely have been proud of his ‘Symphony No. 8’ motifs being used to such great effect in paying homage to Solti’s Chicago Symphony Orchestra brass section of the 1970s and ‘80s.

With the audience on its feet wanting more, there was just enough time for a thrilling account of Shostakovich’s ‘Folk Festival’ before the band made its way back to Queensbury to round off a concert for all of the family.

Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s ‘Enter the Galaxies’ and ‘Fire in Blood’ formed perfect bookends to an entertaining second-half; drawing an enthusiastic response from the thrilled audience. 

Sparkling form

Siobhan Bates (horn) and Paula O’Malley (xylophone) were on sparkling form during the ‘Big Band’ set, featuring iconic classics from Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman. It proved to be a stylish highlight for many. 

With the audience on its feet wanting more, there was just enough time for a thrilling account of Shostakovich’s ‘Folk Festival’ before the band made its way back to Queensbury to round off a concert for all of the family. 

It was an entertaining evening from beginning to end; helped along by the engaging compere style of David Childs.

Sam Wyne