Pennine Brass Festival 2008
29-Feb-2008Featuring: Friendly Band, Emley Brass, Slaithwaite, Hebden Bridge, YBS
Halifax Parish Church
Saturday 23rd February
As previously advertised on 4BR, the Pennine Brass Festival showcase of regional brass talent took place at Halifax Parish Church on Saturday evening.
The concert began at 6pm and featured all of this years test pieces from respective bands competing in the Yorkshire Regional Championships this weekend at St Georges Hall, Bradford.
As promised it was a fantastic night of entertainment with the evening providing the bands with the opportunity to play their test pieces in front of an audience only a week before the big day!
Malcolm Brownbill was the listening expert and Colin Hardy acted as MC, giving a very informative introduction to every band including their history as well as a brief introduction regarding the piece of music to be played.
The first band on was The Friendly Band, with MD Carol Caton who performed the Fourth Section test piece 'Four Cities Symphony' by Rodney Newton. They where followed by Emley conducted by Gary Halla who played the Third Section test piece, Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s, 'The Dark Side of the Moon'.
The Second Section test piece, 'Three Part Invention' by Kenneth Downie was played by Slaithwaite Band, directed by Barry Hudson, with the event organisers, Hebden Bridge playing the First Section piece, 'James Cook - Circumnavigator' by Gilbert Vinter under the direction of Denis Hadfield. Representing the Championship Section was YBS Band, under the precise direction of Morgan Griffiths, who played the Championship work, 'Festival Music' by Eric Ball.
The evening started off very well and improved as it progressed, with some very good performances from all the bands concerned. During each performance, Malcolm Brownbill acted as adjudicator and after all the bands had played he took to the microphone to give adjudication on each in turn.
It was a pleasure to hear him give detailed explanations with regards to what he had written as well assist with ways of helping the bands improve their performances. I am sure that the lower section bands will take every helpful word he spoke and act on it.
In respect to Hebden Bridge and the YBS, Malcolm told them that he had made stricter criticisms - as if adjudicating - in order to assist their forthcoming week’s rehearsal. I must admit that it was pleasing to hear what he had to say, and I am sure that all concerned would have benefited from the evening. This was a splendid evening enjoyed by all in attendance.
Peggy Tomlinson, Yorkshire Area Contest Controller, said that she enjoyed the evening immensely: “ ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed it and it is a nice change to be able to listen to the bands, as I never have the opportunity at the contest.’
Finally, congratulations must be given to Steve Gardener and the members of Hebden Bridge for organising such a wonderful and successful evening of instruction, entertainment and shear pleasure.
Dave Ashworth
