Derwent Brass

Conductor: Graham Jacklin
St Helens Church
Etwall
Saturday 3rd July

The fine weather echoed the warm welcome received by Derwent Brass as they once again entertained at their annual summer concert in Etwall.
 
Masterful guide

Guest conductor Graham Jacklin masterfully guided the band through the evening opening the concert with the baroque style ‘Fanfare’ from ‘Orfeo’. Then we visited Spain by way of the upbeat tempo of ‘Valero’ with its Hispanic influences.
 
The first soloist of the evening was principal cornet David Neville whose rich sound and virtuosity pleased the audience as he played ‘Hejre Kati’.

Lovely melody

The band then played one of their resident Musical Director, Keith Leonard's, many arrangements. This one the lovely melody from the stage musical West Side Story of ‘One hand one heart’.

This was followed by our second soloist, principal horn player, Graham Johnson, who delighted us with a pleasing bluesy rendition of the classic ‘By the time I get to Phoenix’, showcasing the instruments wonderful mellow tone.
 
Gusto

Next, the theme from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ which was played with gusto.

Martin Johnson, the band’s principal trombone, once again kept the audience entertained with his humour and playing in George Formby's ‘Leaning on a Lampost’ followed by the toe tapping ‘Mack and Mabel’ which brought the first half of the evening to a close.
 
As the audience discussed the programme so far we were served with delicious strawberry cream scones to accompany our half time refreshments!!
 
Praise

The band commenced the second half with a Salvation Army march ‘Praise’ and then principal euphonium, Adam Rutter, thrilled with his technical brilliance and effortless flourishes in ‘Reels and Jigs’ - one word - AMAZING!
 
Pace change

A change of pace with a little known piece from the opera ‘Hansel and Gretel’ called ‘Evening Prayer’, and then we were treated to a harmonic arrangement featuring the trombone section from the film ‘Sister Act’, ‘I will follow him’ which was perfect for the ecclesiastical surroundings.
 
The big band sounds of ‘South Rampart Street Parade’ evoked images of the bustling streets of New Orleans and was followed by Pick Of the Pops theme tune, ‘Sign of the Swinging Cymbal’.
 
Up beat

Keeping to the upbeat tempo the band brought us ‘Mack the Knife’ and then another one of Keith's arrangements, and the lovely traditional tune ‘The Minstrel Boy’ and ‘Toss the Feathers’.

No concert would be complete without an encore and the band's signature march ‘Montreal Citadel’ bought the evening to a close.
 
 

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