Those who were brave enough to venture out on a cold, snowy Friday lunchtime to hear the Guildhall Brass Band at Regent Hall were treated to some fine playing to reward their endeavours. 

Led by New Zealander Matthew Stein, the band had only been together for a couple of weeks, and only a few of the players had any previous experience with brass bands.

Neat interplay

The cornet section got proceedings off to a promising start with the first movement of Stephen Bulla's 'Concertante for Band'; nicely balanced and with neat interplay between the parts. The march 'Praise' followed, in a very clean reading with due attention to accents and dynamics.

James Fountain, a former student at Guildhall, gave a first class account of 'Crossroad' in the presence of Dr Stephen Cobb, who featured it in the same hall when he was principal cornet of the International Staff Band. Peter Maunder's setting of 'Deep Harmony' made for a complete contrast, with some unusual minor chords in the last verse.

Full of character

'Paganini Variations' came next in a reading which, if not up to contest standard, was nevertheless full of character, subtlety and soloists on good form.

James Fountain returned, trumpet in hand, and mesmerised with an idiomatic account of 'Memories of You': Arranged by Bill Geldard for James Watson, both soloist and band picked the style very well, with effective contributions from the vibraphone. 

The percussion also played their part in establishing the Spanish atmosphere for 'Blades of Toledo', played with panache by the four-man trombone section.

The percussion also played their part in establishing the Spanish atmosphere for 'Blades of Toledo', played with panache by the four-man trombone section.

The final item was a transcription by Peter Maunder of 'Pines of Rome' which incorporated six off-stage trumpets, placed in the galleries to either side of the platform.

Quite sparsely scored in places, the music gradually built up to a wonderful blaze of sound, much appreciated by an audience ready to brave the elements once more.

Peter Bale