Black Dyke

MD: Nicholas Childs
Featuring: Trinity Boys Choir, John Lyon School Motet Choir, Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School Girls Choir
Harrow School Speech Room
Saturday 28th March

In surroundings more accustomed to past speakers and pupils such as Winston Churchill, Lord Byron and Jawaharlal Nehru (the first Prime Minister of India), Black Dyke Band, together with the school choirs of John Lyon and Cardinal Vaughan and the Trinity Boys Choir presented a programme that was described by the Headmaster of the host school (Kevin Riley) as “inspirational” and “one that these pupils will never forget”.

Stamina

During the afternoon of Saturday March 28th, Black Dyke and the Trinity Boys Choir had recorded part of a new CD; to then give a full concert revealed the stamina required to be a member of this famous band.

The first half the concert was shared between massed and solo items from the various ensembles. The opening piece was Philip Wilby’s arrangement of that great Welsh hymn “Guide me oh thou Great Redeemer”. With antiphonal and off stage parts, as well as the organ, this was a fine start to any concert. 

Good voice

It was not only the choirs that were in good voice, however, as Matthew Routley (BBb) could not help but to join in the singing of a hymn from his homeland.

Nor was this the only connection of the night. 

Family connections

Anna Wilby, daughter of Philip and past member of the percussion section of Black Dyke, is now the Director of Music at the John Lyon School and it was her idea to hold this event. With her father celebrating his 60th birthday earlier in the week, her sister directing another of the choirs and her mother in the audience, this was a very proud night for Anna indeed.

The traditional overture followed, a romp through Suppe’s 'Poet and Peasant', though not before Nicholas Childs had reminded the audience that whilst not winning the recent Yorkshire areas, they were still National Champions. Paul Duffy (soprano) revealed the trophy right on cue. Unusually, members of the audience were invited to inspect the trophy during the interval; a rare opportunity that few missed.

Solo items

The three choirs then presented their solo items, “Like as the Hart” (Howells) “I Was Glad” (Parry arr. Wilby) and “Apotheosis” (from “A Passion for our Times) (Wilby, conducted Wilby!). The main feature of these numbers was that although school choirs, the tenors and basses made commendable efforts to create an authentic matured sound.

During the singing of these songs, Black Dyke lost their stand in 2nd horn for the night due to illness. This had some effect on the band as there was a slight lack of ensemble and, unusually, some split notes present in the next two items; “Hallelujah Chorus” and “Breathless Alleluia”. It is a tribute to the band of their very high standards that these minor blemishes are even mentioned. It just shows though that even the very best players really are human!

Tribute

Philip Wilby conducted the band in his own composition “Breathless Alleluia” and in his own individual way, introduced the piece paying tribute to the cross trainer that helped Black Dyke’s MD regain his current trim shape!

The final item of the first half was (again!) Wilby’s arrangement of “Thine be the Glory”. It was presented in such a rousing style that several of the Salvationists in the audience nearly joined in!

All their own

The second half of the programme was Black Dyke’s own. The disappointingly small in number audience was swelled by the members of the various choirs taking their seats in the auditorium.

The band’s “Composer in Association”, Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s “Horizons” was the first item and immediately, the band were out to show that despite the day’s exertions; they had plenty left in the tank.

Showcase

Nicholas Childs then presented three of the band’s principal players in a “Soloist’s Showcase”. Richard Marshall expertly played “Willow Echoes” – with an extended lip trill. Was this a nod to another famous cornettist in the audience, David Daws, whose own lip trills in “Golden Slippers” are quite remarkable?

David Thornton’s multi-phonics in “’Neath the Dublin Skies” amazed the (mainly) non-brass banding audience, although, this is the first time this reviewer has seen David use music for reference.

Mischievous grin

The band’s last soloist was principal Eb tuba, Joseph Cook. Whilst Nicholas Childs was introducing him, with the usual banter about the North East and the customary gimmicks in “Czardas”, there was more than a hint of what was to follow in Joseph’s mischievous grin. 

There was definitely a case of one-upmanship going on in his solo item with lip trills, multi phonics ad extremities of both pedal and high notes that even the members of the band had not heard him perform before.

Bolero

Peter Graham’s “Cats Tales” is really another form of soloist showcase, this time for Lee Skipsy and Alex Kerwin as they start the item in a way reminiscent of Torvill and Dean’s “Bolero” (that and the side drum part is nearly identical to Ravel’s original!). 

There was to be no skating on thin ice for this couple though as the sensitive touch of Lee’s side drum and the full round sound of Alex’s flugel horn, when experienced from less than 10ft away was a marriage made in heaven. 

Rolls Royce

The finale was “Finale” from Saint Saens’ “Organ Symphony”, with Stuart Miles (not the ex Blue Peter presenter but member of the teaching faculty at John Lyons School) on the organ. Here, the “Rolls-Royce” sound of Black Dyke really shone through yet was at all times perfectly in tune with the organ. Perhaps all collaborations of this piece should be played here…

Nicholas Childs had hinted that an encore may be played and the audience was thrilled by the announcement that it was to be Widor’s “Toccata in F”. One elderly gentleman demonstrated this by a cry of “Yes!” He wasn’t to be disappointed as the final majestic chords, echoed around this famous old school’s buildings. 

Churchill would have pleased that the “Best of British” was in evidence tonight.

Nick Garman

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