Leyland Band

Conductor: John Maines
Victoria Hall
Settle
Sunday June 12th

It is not very often that a band of the standard of Leyland visits small Yorkshire towns such as Settle, but on Sunday the 12th of June those that attended a concert in the Victoria Hall were treated to a concert of the highest calibre.

As the curtain opened the band were already playing the little known Sousa march ‘Free Lance' that had been arranged for the band by one of the bands in house arrangers Gary Westwood. Although this might not be the best of the Sousa marches it is typical of his style and is taken from a larger work entitled ‘Free Lance'. The dynamic range of the band was immediately on show as well as the deft playing of the cornet section and especially their principal cornet Mark Jones.

‘Festive Overture' by Shostakovich followed, and again the dynamic charges and control shown by everybody gave testament to the fact that this band is continuing to develop and the win at the areas was not a fluke. Running passages by the cornets and euphoniums were handled with ease and clarity whilst the lower end of the band gave the power and drive in both their melodic as well as rhythmic passages.

Then followed a complete change of style with ‘Little Serenade' by Ernest Tomlinson who we were informed by the conductor John Maines was from the nearby Colne Valley area. The lovely sound produced by Mark Jones came to the fore again with his lyrical and sympathetic reading of the solo line.

Prior to the first solo of the evening we were entertained by the first of a number of funnies from John Maines giving Ian Twiss a chance to catch his breath before playing ‘Du Bist Die Ruh' a Schubert song arranged for band by Walter Hargreaves. Although it was only a short piece and there were no firework from the soloist this was a fine performance with character and style and Ian reached for the upper register with ease and power.

W.C. Handy was the composer of the next piece and this was once again a complete change of character from what had been before. ‘St Louis Blues' is known to everybody and the percussion department of the band provided the drive required. Although this arrangement seemed to end abruptly the feel of the idiom was achieved with the big band style coming through.

Danny Powell performed ‘Banks and Braes' by Robert Collinson next and it is a joy to know that there are so many young musicians out there of this standard. Having won a young musician prize and now studying at the Royal Northern, Danny must have a great career ahead of him. This performance was faultless from the soloist and he ably supported by the band even if for very short periods the band sound overreached the solo line.
 
‘Blue Rondo à la Turk' wound up the first half that although not note perfect or split free was of such a standard that was going to ensure that everybody would be returning to their seats in good time for the second half to start.

‘HMS Pinafore' opened the second half and although the flow of the music was broken by the extended silent pause whilst pages were turned, this is well known and is still an audience pleaser and especially for the people of a small town like Settle.

A special request followed. A friend of the bands bass trombonist had asked for ‘Concerto De Arenjuez' and from what John Maines informed the audience had offered £500 for the pleasure of hearing it. He could not have been more pleased with the performance offered by Janet Lewis who was introduced as the bands very own Gloria.  It was suggested that the benefactor might want up his donation to £1,000 but on the night he did not seem to be very willing.

There was only one Goff Richards arrangement on the programme on this occasion and this one was not one of his most famous -  ‘Rock around the Croc' which drew together a couple of well known tunes, ‘Rock around the Clock' and ‘See You Later Alligator', and although not the most musically challenging it is still one that audiences enjoy.

James Gourlay the virtuoso tuba player composed the next item for the Spennymoor Brass in Concert of 1997 and I doubt if it was given a performance like this on that stage. Bob the Builder was present, recumbent in bright yellow safety hat and a scaffold appeared front of stage. The opening section was accompanied by the sounds of a number of animals that can be found within the Alps and some that you would not. Chris Doran appeared and with echo effects from other members of the band provided the solo line for ‘Alpine Tuba', a humorous romp through the foothills of those great peaks.

Unfortunately there was a short period where the glue came apart with Chris roaring ahead of the band but this was soon rectified and the piece came to a fantastic climax.

After such a piece it was good to have time to reflect and with Robert Redheads ‘Reflections in Nature' we got that time. Some would say that there is nothing better at playing hymns than a good brass band and when you hear them played like this who would disagree.

And so to the final piece that well used and ever popular Tchaikvsky standard ‘March Slav'.  I know bands must be fed up of playing these standards but audiences never seem to tire of hearing them and this was such an audience. The band was given a final chance to show what a great sound they can produce whilst also being able to remind us of how quiet a band can play. The audience loved every minute of it and although it was not the largest it showed its appreciation enough for the band to stay on stage and play ‘Entry of the Gladiators' as the encore.

John Maines might not be the bands resident conductor or even a regular with the band, but with a band of this standard it must be a pleasure to be able to stand in front of them and conduct. Throughout the evening John was informative and light hearted, a fact that one member of the audience in particular, Mike Harding, will have enjoyed. I have not had the pleasure of listening to John's radio programme, but if he plays music of this standard and is as enjoyable to listen to I will now be starting to tune my radio to a new channel. I only hope that up here in the dale we are able to receive it.

Having spoken to one of the staff at the hall I understand that they were very pleased and it is hoped that the band might return in the future when a larger audience should be expected and another great night of entertainment assured.

Kevin Wilson

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