Conductors: Col David Barringer MVO MBE; Maj Brenden Wheeler; SSgt (BM) Greg Waters
Soloist: LCpl Emily Watson
Halifax Minster
Saturday 26th April

For the second time in as many weeks there was the welcome sight of a long queue of people waiting patiently to hear the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain in performance.  

The added attraction on this occasion came with the British Army Brass Band, who made the most of their limited preparation time under Major Brenden Wheeler to provide a substantive first half of seriously purposed repertoire.  

Fantastical subject matter

Their ambitious inclusion of Simon Dobson’s ‘Jesus in Tibet’  to open was interesting in many ways – not just because you suspected the rather fantastical subject matter wouldn’t have been touched on too often in Sunday School classes here. 

With it also being performed twice at the forthcoming European Championships, the MDs interpretation of dramatic impulse and colourful excitement certainly whetted the appetite as well as the epistolic intrigue.

Their ambitious inclusion of Simon Dobson’s ‘Jesus in Tibet’  to open was interesting in many ways – not just because you suspected the rather fantastical subject matter wouldn’t have been touched on too often in Sunday School classes here. 

Telling counterpoint

A more traditional evocation of faith came with Rebecca Lundberg’s touching ‘Pater Noster’  which featured the fine lyrical playing of principal cornet LCpl Emily Watson. 

Kelly-Marie Murphy’s poetically inspired ‘Into the Darkness They Go, The Wise and The Lovely’  (led by SSgt (BM) Greg Waters) once again revealed its deeper character emotions in its homage portraiture of the late Branwell Tovey. It was a telling counterpoint to the rousing multi-national sounds (and images) of ‘Defend Every Inch’  – Chris Buchanan’s 75-year anniversary celebration of NATO as the finale.

Zesty brio

The second half saw the NYBBGB under Col Barringer reprise parts of their ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’ Tidworth programme; the upbeat tempo and spirit of LCpl Ashley Marston’s ‘Echoes of Youth’  march once again played with zesty brio.

 the contrasts between the three movements marked by ensemble tonality and solo line confidence with a central movement that drew the listener into its emotional core.

The acknowledgment of sacrifice and loss in ‘Lest We Forget’  was balanced by the joyful percussion led swing of ‘Opus One & Big Band Tribute’,  before Philip Wilby’s ‘Lowry Sketchbook’  provided the substantial climax; the contrasts between the three movements marked by ensemble tonality and solo line confidence with a central movement that drew the listener into its emotional core. It was playing of measured maturity and understanding.

A fine concert embracing its challenging ambition and outlook came to a close with the principal players of the British Army Band joining the youthful ranks for Dan Price’s ‘Peacemakers’.

Iwan Fox