Gresley Old Hall Band

Conductor: David Hutchinson
Gresley Junior Band
Conductor: Tony Bayliss
Town Hall, Burton on Trent
Saturday 8th October

Saturday 8th October saw a near packed audience at Burton on Trent Town Hall, where the Gresley Old Hall Band with conductor David Hutchinson, and Gresley Junior Band with assistant conductor Tony Baylis, were in concert.

Gresley Old Hall Band got the evening under way with a old classic march ‘Arnhem', which was followed in complete contrast by the up tempo ‘Music' by John Miles which featured the splendid cornet playing of recently appointed Principal Cornet, Fran Bowman.

A cornet feature was next on the list and Fran Bowman along with colleagues Tony Baylis and Debbie Smith whipped through "Trumpets Wild" by H Walters. ‘Kalinka' followed before the horn section was featured in Derrick Broadbent's arrangement of The Beatles well known hit, ‘Hey Jude' which featured Gary Horsley on flugel, Adam Shaw, Heather Horsley, Fay Holford and Andrew Greatorex. This was then followed by Stephen Roberts' foot taping arrangement of ‘Putting On The Ritz'.

A complete change of style then took place, as David Hutchinson played a soprano solo of ‘Solitaire' arranged by Steve Corbett. This was pure class as David just glided through the solo with such style, panache and fine tone, and it was fair to say this did not leave a dry eye in the Town Hall. David as played with some of the countries leading bands during his almost 50 years in brass bands, and he still has the class even today to challenge the very best. The first half of the concert came to a close with Steve Sykes arrangement of Gershwin's ‘Rhapsody In Blue'.

The Second half of the concert saw the ever improving Gresley Junior Band with Tony Baylis at the helm. They showed they could be a match for the senior members to think about as they began with ‘The Old Castle Suite' by Stewart Johnson creating a spooky atmosphere in the "Castle Ghost Movement".

They then changed the style and sent the audience to the West Indies with ‘Cool Calypso' by Bruce Fraser. The march ‘Seaham Town' followed and the finale of their 20 minute spot was the recent number 1hit ‘Is this the way to Amarillo?' arranged for brass band by Johnny Ocean. The juniors have made great headway since they have been formed now almost 3 years ago.

The second half of the concert then saw the Gresley Old Hall Band return to the stage with a 'showstopper' performance of ‘Ol' Man River' arranged by Mark Freeh, which left the audience utterly spell bound. A sleazy number followed with ‘Chanson D'Amour' but with a vocal feature as well as with the bass section and the back row cornets getting up to sing "Rat ta tat ta Tat". This proved to be hilarious for the audience and a complete surprise for David Hutchinson as well, who just did not know what was going on and looked puzzled to say the least!

At the end of this a quick head count saw that one of the Eb bass players was missing, "As anyone seen MOSH?" was the cry form David Hutchinson, and with that on comes to the stage dressed in cowboys outfit complete with poncho and cowboys hat was Peter Hylton - known as MOSH, who played the classic song ‘I was Born Under a Wandering Star'.

A change of mood then saw the band give a fine display of quality of control in ‘Con te Partiro' (Time to say Goodbye), followed by a brass band classic and audience favourite at Gresley Concerts ‘Amparita Roca'.

The audience were then treated to some fine euphonium playing by Karl Eames in "Largo al Factotum'- with a few of his own additions to it as well, and at the end of this he carried on with Barry Manilow's ‘One Voice' arranged by Ray Farr. To finish with the band played ‘Conquest Of Paradise' by Vangelis at which point the audience gave the band a standing ovation and shouts of "More".

The band quickly responded with a good old piece in "Jamies Patrol" but with a difference - just over half way through conductor David Hutchinson put his baton down and waved to the audience and went off stage, he was followed then a short while later by the back and front row cornets, trombones and horns, leaving just the basses, euphs, baritones  and percussion. The euphs and baritones soon disappeared, leaving but one bass and side drum playing. Peter Hylton gave in at the end to percussion player David Shipley, who played quieter and quieter till the spotlight went out on him to bring the concert to a close.


Ian Perks

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