Essex Police & Clacton Co-operative Bands

Conductors: Keith Manners & Trevor Davy
Princess Theatre, Clacton
Sunday 6th July

Continuing their regular Sunday evening promenade concerts, Clacton Co-operative Band were delighted to welcome the Essex Police Band to share their stage. 

This was the first time that the two groups had performed together, despite their long histories and geographical proximities. This marked the second leg of the police band's ongoing venture to perform with other elite Essex bands, previously performing with the Aveley and Newham Band and a calendar date booked with the Redbridge Band.
 
Reliable

Essex Police Band, under the reliable hand of Keith Manners, took to the platform first. With the front row bolstered with three Redbridge players the band launched into a brave and fearless rendition of “Concert Prelude” by Philip Sparke. Making use of the theatre's clear acoustic the cornet section were particularly vibrant, although the softer instruments of the band seemed a little distant. 

On a day which saw Lewis Hamilton win the British Grand Prix (and the Wimbledon Men’s final also take place) Bandmaster Manners chose to play a piece with its own sporting connections- “The Trap”, better known as the theme tune to the London Marathon, by Ron Goodwin. Again the band responded well to Keith’s clear baton, and particular note should go to the flugel player (borrowed from Clacton) Clair Tomlin, for the delightful interlude section. Band Secretary Mark Harvey was the chosen soloist, with Newsome’s “Bass in the Ballroom”. Having featured this piece many times he clearly enjoys playing it.
 
Tour de Force

The bands tour de force for the evening followed, in the shape of “Theme from Batman” (Elfman). Expecting to hear the theme tune from the television programme of the same name the audience however were not disappointed with this piece. Trombones were to the fore, and produced some great unison playing of an orchestral nature. 

Fatigue was starting to set in around the band, particularly in the cornet section, but this didn’t detract from a very enjoyable piece. To quieten things down Bandmaster Manners showcased his own arrangement of “Londonderry Air”.. Using a traditional style of writing the band was able to relax and enjoy making music. 

Film music was once again used to end the segment, with the band playing Badelt's arrangement of “Pirates of the Caribbean”.The piece was well controlled, despite a few over enthusiastic offerings from the cornet section at times. 
 
Stage change

A quick stage change saw Clacton on Sea Co-operative take to the stage, performing under the baton of guest director Trevor Davy.  Without further ado the band launched into a rhythmically precise and dynamically contrasting performance of the popular march “Washinton Grays”. The highlight of the first half (and for many people the evening) followed in the form of the horn solo “Rondo from Horn Concerto No 1” by Richard Strauss. 

Scintillating

This was scintillatingly performed by principal horn David Howell, including a virtuosic vivace section towards the end of the piece. Whilst sounding a touch under rehearsed in the accompaniment ensemble everyone reached the end in record time! MD Davy should consider a profession in the meteorological industry- as his next choice of piece was very apt! “Singin’ in the Rain” gave the band a chance to relax. All that was missing was Gene Kelly and his dancing shoes!  

Bringing the first half to an end the band featured the popular “Disney Fantasy”; a piece they seemed to be able to play with their eyes shut!
 
Following a brief interval both bands joined together to take the stage for the second half. 

Following a performance of the popular “Famous British Marches” the massed bands launched into a sparkling performance of “The Magic Flute”. Not the familiar Rimmer arrangement, but a newer arrangement from the pen of Michael Kenyon. The clear direction from Bandmaster Manners allowed the bands to express themselves fully. The rich chords rang around the hall, semiquavers were neat and tidy, and the bandsmen clearly enjoyed this piece. 

Flow

Following “Buglers Holiday” the bands played another of Manners arrangements- this time the popular folk tune “O Waley Waley”. The song “The Water is Wide” came to mind while the bands were playing, and the music was certainly allowed to flow along with a feeling of peacefulness and tranquillity.
 
The final segment of the evening started with the performance of “Riverdance” by Bill Whelan. For many listening this was the first time they had heard this arrangement, and they were not disappointed. Starting with sustained glockenspiel and solo cornet Trevor Stubbington the piece crescendoed into a musical spectacular, while managing to stay controlled at all times. Particular mention should be made to the two soprano cornet players for their stamina and brilliance towards the end- Nick Brightmore (Essex Police) and Richard Straker (Clacton). 

Water theme

The “water” theme continued with a relatively new arrangement of “Shenandoah” by Leonard Ballantine (Interestingly re-titled as “Mid all the traffic”, presumably in order to fit words from the Salvation Army song book). Once again MD Davy allowed the music to speak for itself, on a night when music was the clear winner. Following a period of thanks the massed bands embarked on a delightful rendition of the piece known to many as “Procession to the Minster”, but this time titled “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral”. 

For the writer of this article this was a new arrangement, and featured fearless solo playing from Clacton’s solo cornet, soprano, flugel, and solo horn. Despite a seemingly premature cut off on the penultimate chord the bands were able to revel, and use the bright acoustics of the hall to full effect. The audience were sent home feet tapping, following the encore of popular Heaton march “Praise”. A thoroughly enjoyable evening which will hopefully be repeated soon. 
 
Duncan Trigg

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