The pen of William Mathias immediately established the varied nature of this programme of classical music that displayed brass band musicianship had its best. 

Constantly changing styles, in particularly, the ‘Jubilate’ movement reflected upon the harmonic dissonances of these progressive chorale style phrases - a satisfyingly opening to the band's performance!  

Colourful

The colourful approach of Gareth Wood's ‘Horn Concerto’ has given the soloist a precise vehicle to demonstrate virtuosity and elegance. Hannah Drage brought much shape and musicianship to her carefully nurtured performance, resulting in a well-earned bouquet from the audience!  

‘Nimrod’ from Elgar's ‘Enigma Variations’ ensured that the band remained fully meaningful of the memory of Armistice Day with an effectively sonorous sound from this warm ensemble. 

Operatic proportions

The pre-interval item was a particularly special performance of Joseph Parry's ‘A Tydfil Overture’, displaying brass band music that was composed some fifty years before Percy Fletcher's initially considered tone poem, ‘Labour and Love’.  

This music was of operatic proportions, certainly lyrical with several pseudo-minor key hymn-like sections that were related to Welsh conformist aspects. The pedal notes of the bass players were conspicuous by their depth of sound.

Expressive

The second part of the programme started with a fresh approach to the much lesser used ‘Pomp and Circumstance March No.4 in G’ by Elgar with expressive playing by the entire band much in evidence.  

Karl Jenkins' ‘Suite from The Armed Man’ gave the band licence to enjoy a wide spectrum of musical colours, as individual soloists - euphonium, solo horn and principal cornet, also from the wider ensemble groupings.

Highly charged

The highly charged and emotive performance of Simon Dobson's ‘Penlee’ - the disaster of the ill-fated lifeboat Soloman Brown that was lost at sea on the Cornish coastline in 1981, was extremely effective with both brass and percussion sounds and well balanced phrasing. 

The impact of the force of the tumultuous sea and the severe gale force winds brought home the impact of those listening to this music, whilst just a few miles away at Mumbles Head, gales of up to eighty miles an hour were damaging buildings adjacent to Maritime Museum building. 

The audience responded with warmth to Dr. Child's interpretation of this music. 

Joyous

The programme ended with Wagner’s ‘Procession to the Minster’, a veritable tour de force - the entire ensemble responding promptly and eagerly to this joyous music.  

Little wonder, the audience were immediately upstanding to express their delight at the manner in which Dr. Childs, leader, Stephanie Wilkins,  soloist, Hannah Drage and the entire band responded to this special concert for the Swansea Festival, who in previous years, had only been involved in orchestral, organ and choral music.

Enjoyed

The Lord Mayor of the County and City of Swansea, the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan and their Consorts were just two luminaries to thoroughly enjoy this initial concert. 

The current outreach situation of this student brass band is extremely important to each of these fledging players and Dr. Childs regards it as both important and significant in working within the wider geographical region to explore more opportunities for this brass band in the future.

C. Brian Buckley