Black Dyke Band

Conductor: Dr Nicholas Childs
Denshaw Church
Saturday 4th October

It hardly needs saying, but these are difficult times.  The economic downturn and financial problems around the globe are a huge concern for all and rapidly becoming a depressing one. 

It is something that is dominating our news at the moment so much that it’s reaching the point you don't want to listen or read what’s being said.    

Difficult times

In these difficult times though, communities are strong, look out for each other and help where they can.  Dr Nicholas Childs and his family are now based in Denshaw, Saddleworth, and have established strong links and friendships within the area.

With the link to Black Dyke they not only put on hold their preparations for London, but took the opportunity to raise money for the warm and extremely welcoming, Denshaw Church and nearby Bluecoat School in Oldham.

Credit crunch

The church holds around 200 comfortably but the good folk of Saddleworth (on a filthy, horrible night, it must be said as well) descended on the Church en mass to listen to the band, and with one credit crunch eye on their raffle ticket numbers.

Black Dyke’s Chairman, David Allen of Pulse Home Products, had provided over a £1,000 worth of goodies for the lucky ticket winners and as a result, £3,500 was raised that will benefit both the church and the school.

Having queued patiently to be seated – and finding a seat was an operation of military precision, the audience quickly got acquainted with their neighbours (a worthwhile exercise as they would be spending the next couple of hours tightly packed and something that if replicated at Sunday services would leave the local vicar to look at a church extension) before the concert commenced.

Familiar territory

The two opening numbers were familiar Dyke territory.  Firstly, Widor's ‘Toccata’, where the bass end had fun testing the foundations of the building, followed by a delightful account of Mozart's overture, ‘The Magic Flute’.

Dyke's Big Band Set featured Cy Oliver's ‘Opus One’, Bass Trombone, Adrian Hirst and euphonium John French declaring ‘ I Only Have Eyes for You’ and closing with one of Robbie Williams' favourites, ‘Mack the Knife’.

Home turf

On home turf, Dr Childs was amongst numerous friends and whilst wishing one or two happy birthday, the MD dedicated the band's performance of ‘Nimrod’ to Arthur Balmforth, a highly respected man who not only can be found in a local hostelry on a daily basis, but will also turn 100 next January.

Performing in such intimate surroundings and with such a powerful sound, the MD took a sensible approach keeping a considerable restraint on the dynamics. 

Lungs opened

Wagner's ‘Procession to the Minster’ did give the band the chance to open up their lungs fully, but it was the splendid flugel playing of Alex Kerwin and soprano Paul Duffy that caught the ear  – although perhaps not the eye in Paul’s case, as he was hidden behind the pulpit all night!

With so many in attendance in a confined space, the sensible decision was taken to give the band a quick breather, with the audience having the chance to stretch their legs before the ringing of a bell in the manner of the school playground signalled that the second half was due to commence with a vibrant interpretation of Holst's ‘Jupiter’.

Showcase

Dyke's Soloist Showcase saw Sandy Smith sweetly powerful on ‘Evergreen’, Adrian Hirst aided by a quartet in ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ and David Thornton produce a lovely rendition of 'Neath the Dublin Skies' to maintain the standard that had been set in the first half by Richard Marshall who delivered an impeccable interpretation of 'Miss Blue Bonnet.' 

Splendid night

Peter Graham’s ‘Cats Tales’ was very much in the easy listening mode, before the band rounded off with the oldest pot boilers of them all and ‘1812 Overture’, complete with narration from Matthew Routley. All that was left was the well chosen encore of  Brodsky's ‘I'll Walk With God’ to round off a splendid night..

So that was that, despite the numerous concert venues that the band perform in, appearing at Denshaw Church was one that the locals thought they'd never witness.

Then again, not everybody has Dr Childs living in their own village, and with a great deal of encouragement and support from many in the local community (not least the church) the evening proved to be an overwhelming success with money going to two separate worthy causes.

Malcolm Wood

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