Black Dyke Band

Conductor: Dr Nicholas J Childs
Delph Band Club
Saturday 15th April

Twelve months ago, Black Dyke appeared at Delph Band Club for the first time in its history, just a couple of weeks before they won the European in Groningen.  That night was such a success that everybody concerned decided it would be a good idea to repeat the exercise; Easter Saturday it might have been, but Dyke continued to keep their lips in ahead of Belfast. It was a grand night out as they say in these parts. 

The club was packed to capacity and for the good folk of the area a chance to listen to Dyke, have a pint, and not forgetting the supper included in the ticket price with all the proceeds going to a good cause. 

In the event around £800 was raised for eight year old Molly Hopwood, who lives in Saddleworth and has a serious medical condition that can only be treated in the USA.  It might have been a concert from a band intent on retaining its European title, but it puts things into real perspective.

The concert programme itself was light, maintaining all the hallmarks of Dyke concerts that have given in places all over the world – a real emphasis on entertainment and enjoyment for the audience. This was Dyke in relaxed mood, but not too relaxed when it came to showing off theirs wares.

The march ‘Viva Birkinshaw' and the overture ‘Russlan & Ludmilla' were polished off in the blink of an eye whilst the cornets dazzled in 'Buglers Holiday'.

Impressive on the night was the overall sound of the band.  They adapted to their surroundings on a par with many a rehearsal room full of people intent on listening, superbly, producing a warm sound throughout but always conscious that they were performing in a local band club and not at the Bridgewater or Royal Albert Halls.

The word impressive is also appropriate to the bands five soloists on the night: Richard Marshall, Peter Roberts, Brett Baker, David Thornton and Anne Armstrong.

Richard and Peter were featured in the first half with Mr Marshall demonstrating his talents on the trumpet with what has become one of his definitive solos in 'Virtuosity', whereas the bands soprano player was in imperious form during Lloyd-Webber's ‘Memory'.

Dyke's popular Soloist Showcase featured Brett Baker with Hogey Carmichael's ‘Stardust', David Thornton having a bit of fun in with the variations in ‘Grandfather's Clock' and xylophonist Anne Armstrong maintaining the standard of the solo work in ‘Gee-Whizz' by Byron Byron Brooke.

Selections from 'Pineapple Poll' and 'West Side Story' were featured in the first half, with Dyke's Movies Set appearing in the second half.  Nicholas Childs introduced things with brief musical snippets of Pearl Dean and 20th Century Fox (bringing a spontaneous round of applause from members of the audience who remembered the damp and ark of the back seats of flea pit cinemas) before launching into 'Mission Impossible', 'Soul Bossanova' and 'I Will Follow Him' from 'Sister Act' featuring the trombone trio of Brett Baker, Garry Reed and Adrian Hirst.

Dyke had opened the second half with Bach's 'Toccata & Fugue in D' and wrapped the night up with John Miles' 'Music' – popular items at Dyke's concerts at the moment it seems.  Before 'Music' though, the unofficial closing item was J Weston Nicholls remarkable transcription of the Finale from Dvorak's 'New World Symphony', a piece this reviewer hasn't heard by Black Dyke since the Slavonic Brass recording in the early 90s under James Watson.

A great night's entertainment in enjoyable and very relaxed surroundings and all for a great and worthy cause.  Dyke's focus is now geared towards Belfast and if they regain their crown, you then it wouldn't be a surprise if someone in Queensbury decrees that the band has to perform in Delph in April 2007. The locals won't mind and another great cause will surely benefit.

Malcolm Wood 

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