*
banner

A Royal Tribute

The Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment
Conductor: Bandmaster Richard Douglas MBE
Waterfront Hall
Belfast
Saturday 15th April


Dedicated to the late monarch Queen Elizabeth II, and supporting the Army Benevolent Fund, this cleverly conceived 'Royal Tribute’, featured The Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment joined by several talented local artistes and groups.

These included singers Clara Wilson, Sophie Giraudeau and Willie Donald, as well as choirs from Ballyclare High School and Regent House for a concert that gave the opportunity for them to act out various scenes from war time days before breaking into song. 

Belfast’s fine Waterfront Hall was packed for a typical military opener with the splendid Gordon Jacob fanfare introduction to the ‘National Anthem’. 

Different element

It meant that the vocal numbers offered a different element to standard concert format, with the excellent Clara Wilson singing a medley from ‘Songs that won the War’  and ‘Hallelujah’  - the latter a super arrangement to include the sounds of the Pipes and Drums.

The band’s own Jonny Sproule brought the house down with Peter Graham’s ‘Bravura’ – playing with a confident showmanship that included a clever nod to the regimental march ‘Killaloe’ in the cadenza.

Sophie Giraudeau joined her former teacher for the angelic duet ‘Pie Jesu’, which also provided a moment to slow the tempo, before producing a cracking rendition of ‘Skyfall’ which certainly was a licence to thrill the audience. 

Some traditional folk songs came with Willie Donald singing ‘Take Me Home’  and ‘Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?’ whilst the choirs filled the hall with their balanced sounds on repertoire highlighting their versatility. 

The band’s own Jonny Sproule brought the house down with Peter Graham’s ‘Bravura’ – playing with a confident showmanship that included a clever nod to the regimental march ‘Killaloe’ in the cadenza.

A concert of familiar repertoire delivered in an innovative fashion closed with ‘Be Thou my Vision’,  ‘Sunset’ and the Regimental March ‘Killaloe’. 

George McAuley

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Boarshurst Silver Band - Tanunda Town Band

Wednesday 31 May • Boarshurst Band Club. Greenbridge Lane. Greenfield. Saddleworth OL3 7EW


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 2 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Regent Hall Concerts - RAF Salon Orchestra

Friday 9 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London. . W1C2DJ


Leicestershire Co-op Band - The Great British Music Hall concert

Saturday 10 June • The Palace Community Centre. Ibstock . Leicestershire LE67 6LG


Newtown March Contest - Newtown (Mid Wales) March and Open Air Contest

Sunday 11 June • Newtown Town Hall Grounds. Back Lane. Newtown. Powys SY16 2NZ


VBS Poynton Brass Band

June 1 • Talented principal cornet and euphonium players required to move the band forwards. Rehearsals currently once a week (Thursday 8 - 10pm).


Haverhill Silver Band

June 1 • Haverhill Silver Band (L&SC Championship section) seeks a talented and committed Eb or Bb Bass player to join our team. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings (with extra Sunday evening rehearsals prior to contests) in Haverhill, Suffolk.


Oddfellows Brass

June 1 • 1st section Require a first class enthusiastic Musical Director to: - support, motivate, encourage and train all players in the band - communication with compering ability - deliver entertaining yet challenging concert programmes based 5 mins J22 off M1


David A. Stowell


Conductor and composer


               

 © 2023 4barsrest.com Ltd