Gunnedah Shire Band: Warners Bay July 2007

The Gunnedah Shire Band performed their final concert today in a series of very successful performances over the last two weeks to a packed audience at the Lake Macquarie Performing Arts Centre, Warners Bay near Newcastle.

Proceeds for the concert were in aid of Waratah Brass who tragically lost their entire music library in the recent floods in the Hunter valley.

Gunnedah Shire Band - July 2007

It was obvious right from the start that the expected crowd had been under estimated as extra seating had to be organised at the last minute to cater for the overflow of people bustling in to hear what the well reputed band had to offer.

This finale concert certainly did not disappoint as the program was vast and various.

Right from the start it was obvious that the bands MD, Jason Katsikaris, had quality entertainment on the agenda.  It's always such a pleasure to hear a top class band under a top class MD making such wonderful music.

The band opened with Davies first class arrangement of  Deep Space Nine which featured Bruce Myers on Solo Horn together with Marcus Salone on Soprano Cornet. The faultless secure playing of Bruce in the introduction was only a hint of was yet to come in an afternoon of top shelf entertainment.

Next up was a very refreshing solo by the bands principal cornet Jeff Hutcherson. Jeff, also the current Principal Cornet of the famous BTM band in Wales, showed everyone why he is one of Wales most highly regarded Cornet players. By the Time I Get to Phoenix calls for a very diverse style for which Jeff's beautiful sound suited perfectly. It was also refreshing to hear an accompanying band observing the written dynamics so as to not drown out the soloist!

The joint cornet section during Band Development Day in the lead up to the concert tour

Joseph Turrin's moving Hymn for Diana can be difficult to pull off, however Jason Katsikaris had both the Band and audience literally eating out of the palm of his hand during this performance.

BTM Bass Trombonist Steve Lomas displayed great artistry in a very stylish performance of the Van Morrison hit Moon Dance which seemed also to be a hit with the audience.

Bob Childs arrangement of A Little Prayer displayed the bands acute attention to detail while Allen Fernie's Singing in the Rain displayed the artistic tap dancing skills of Principal Euphonium Danny Alexander and Co Principal Cornet Phil Dokmanovic.

Kristy Rowe has to be the jewel in the crown of the Gunnedah Band. Kristy's beautifully played rendition of Rodney Newtons Dimitris was an absolute pleasure to listen to. Little wonder Kristy is regarded as the finest Baritone player Australia has ever produced.

Jason Katsikaris introduced the next item as a Welsh classic entitled Sosban Fach which translates to The Little Saucepan. Sounds harmless enough but translated to one heck of a fiendish piece. The band finished off the first half with Goff Richards grand arrangement of American Trilogy which really displayed a truly awesome sound from the band.

Goff Richards classic Strike up the Band opened up the second half with gusto followed by a lovely rendition  by Danny Alexander of Goff Richards seldom heard  Little Red Bird. Danny is currently working in New York and flew back to Sydney briefly to be part of the bands tour.

Canterbury Chorale by Jan Van Der Roost is a real show stopper for which this listener was in absolute awe of the dynamic contrast and control the band displayed. What a great piece, and for that matter, what a great performance!
EEb Bass solos don't come any better than Oystein Baldivis Fnugg for Solo Tuba. Adam Arnold was hugely entertaining with his multiphonic display and seemed to make it all sound so easy!

Adam Arnold also acted as recording engineer for the bands recording sessions

Goff Richards Silver Mountain is a real gem which unfortunately is seldom heard. The band truly displayed a quality of sound that left no doubt as to why they are considered such a top class outfit.

Bruce Myers is one of those special performers who never disappoints. To play Phillip Sparke's Masquerade well is one thing, but to perform this extremely difficult work flawlessly is another. Bruce captured everyone with his wonderful display of musicianship and left no doubt as to why Bruce is the current Australian National and NSW Tenor Horn Champion. For me one of the highlights of the concert.

William Himes Procession to Covenant said it all for the Gunnedah Shire Band. A tremendous composition performed by a tremendously in form band. Such wonderful dynamics that had the hairs on the back of your neck tingling.
This was to be the bands finale, however rapturous applause found the band offering two more pieces in the form of Brass Machine and that timeless classic I'll Walk With God.

Jason Katsikaris is truly a man who's passion for quality music making is second to none. Jason's professional approach to the comparing of the program was equal to the task which was obviously well researched.

Well worth the four hour round trip to hear this fine band in equally fine form.

Mark Howcroft

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