EYMS Band

Conductor: Jim Davies
Hull City Hall
Tuesday 30th October

On Tuesday 30th October the East Yorkshire Motor Services Brass Band played in a combined Concert & Lecture at the City Hall, Hull. 

As far as the band was concerned, the major item on the evenings programme was the World Premiere of Philip Wilby’s ‘Reformers’. The band, commissioned this work in 2007 with financial assistance from Kingston Upon Hull City Council, to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, and the leadership of the reforming William Wilberforce.

Before the lecture, the band conducted by Jim Davies played a short programme of music introduced by the Bishop of Hull, Richard Frith. Starting with the march 'Death or Glory' by R. B. Hall, the band immediately showed its softer side by performing Howard Snell's arrangement of 'Winter' from Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons'. 

The first soloist for the evening was the Band's principal cornettist Steve Rudhall, who performed Mark Freeh's arrangement of the Harry James 'Carnival of Venice'. 

This will be Steve’s – and his wife Alice’s – last public performance with the band, before sadly, they return to New Zealand. Following this the band played a selection from the 'Mask Of Zorro', before it was time to introduce the second of the evenings soloists, principal trombonist Mark Unsworth, who performed Darrol Barry's ever popular arrangement of the 'Wind Beneath My Wings'. 

The last piece before the lecture was Mark Freeh's sparkling arrangement of 'Ol' Man River', which gave percussionist Jonathan Chapman the opportunity to display his talents.

The lecture presented by Dr John Sentamu the Archbishop of York, was a typically inspiring and topical event, covering such topics as education, politics, William Wilberforce, and the current regime in Uganda.

Following the lecture, the Archbishop took some questions from the floor, before it was the band’s turn again, this time to perform 'Reformers'. The performance was made even more special as Philip Wilby was given the opportunity to address the audience before the piece started. 

During this address, Philip was able to give the audience an insight into the piece, and his thoughts about the composition. After this, Philip joined the band for the performance by playing the magnificent City Hall organ during the premiere. At the conclusion of the performance, the audience gave a very positive reaction by giving the band and composer a standing ovation. 

A delighted Philip Wilby told the band, "What a success! Definitely the band at the centre of the community! I couldn't have been more pleased! A standing ovation! Thanks for all the hard work and preparation!"

The band drew the evening’s event to a close, by performing the 'Finale' from the 'William Tell Overture', which again drew appreciative applause from the large audience. Amongst the audience was the band President and sponsor Peter Shipp, who was delighted with the evening, “Not only was the Band playing to a large audience, but to a largely new audience, as the majority of people had come primarily to listen to the Wilberforce Lecture”.

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