Black Dyke Band

Conductors: Dr Nicholas Childs & Professor Philip Wilby
Guests: Delph, Hebden Bridge, Wardle High School & The Yorkshire Youth Brass
Soloists: Brett Baker, John Doyle, Richard Marshall, Peter Roberts, David Thornton, Ben Thomson.
Leeds Town Hall
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The impressive Leeds Town Hall was the setting for Black Dyke's Gala Concert that included Ben Thomson, the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of 2006 and the first public performance of the newly-formed Yorkshire Youth Brass Band, an initiative set up by the Queensbury outfit to encourage and nurture young brass players within the county. 

Dyke's programme had strong links to the classical world appealing to both the connoisseur and those looking to be entertained; the playing on the night throughout not always being done justice by the acoustic of the hall.

Elgar's 'Pomp & Circumstance March No.4' and Shostakovich's 'Festive Overture' got the concert off to a fine start whilst anyone in the audience who attends rugby league matches at nearby Leeds Rhinos would have felt quite at home as the band played the music the teams runs out to – 'Anthem' by Carl Davis.

David Thornton performed the World Premiere of 'Devil's Duel' by the band's Composer-in-Residence, Peter Meechan; the title coming from coming from the popular 'Capriccio Number 24' by Paganini of which strains were heard at last Sunday's Masters contest.  Prior to David's superb performance, the flugel voice of John Doyle produced some of the most sensitive playing you could ever wish to hear in 'That'll Do' from 'Babe'. Peter Roberts in 'On with the Motley',  Brett Baker with 'Thoughts of Love', and Richard Marshall who hit the high notes in Kenny Baker's 'Virtuosity' were all on superb form.

Special Guest Soloist for the night was Bass player, Ben Thomson.  As part of Ben's prize for winning the BBC Young Soloist title in April, he got the opportunity to perform with the band who'd accompanied him when winning the title.  In performing the piece that brought him the BBC title ('Capriccio' by Rodney Newton) the RNCM student was completely at ease throughout, impressing the capacity audience with his interpretation of a work that was enhanced by the sympathetic accompaniment of the band.

Giuseppe Verdi's familiar 'Grand March' from 'Aida' and Wagner's 'Introduction to Act Three' from 'Lohengrin' were part of the Black Dyke at the Opera set in the second half

Both halves concluded with the combined massed bands along with Simon Lindley on the organ performing two classic ‘finishers' from the banding repertoire.  The first half closed with Philip Wilby conducting the finale from Saint-Saens' 'Organ Symphony No 3' and having dropped into the programme the march, 'Slaidburn', the whole concert was rounded off with Tchaikovsky's '1812 Overture' that on this occasion had a real Welsh feel to it: the music arranged by Dr Robert Childs, conducted by younger brother Nicholas and narrated by Black Dyke's Matthew Routley.

Appreciation must be given to Black Dyke whose partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University enables concert projects such as this one to come to fruition.  The outreach programme developing close links with other bands and the formation of the Youth band promises a have a bright and prosperous future.

It was a night to enjoy, and the capacity audience did just that.

Malcolm Wood

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