Last night was the Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band's second concert in our new series of concerts at the DW Stadium. This concert included special guests, The Houghton Weavers.
The concert began at 8pm with the Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band performing Gordon Langford's "Famous British Marches" which is a compilation of well-known marches from around the British Isles. This was the first piece, and was one of only three pieces originating from the Britain.
We then featured our first soloist of the evening, Carina Halliwell, who played music from the film score written by flugelhorn virtuoso Chuck Mangione "The Children of Sanchez", which is set in Mexico. Already, we have 'musically' travelled over 5500 miles! Carina handled this latin, virtuosic solo with great panache and style.
We returned to the British Isles for another British item on the Pemberton Band programme. This was a beautiful arrangement by Denzil Stephens of the Welsh hymn "Myfanwy", which featured our guest solo euphonium player Mike Fox. This stunning music was a great contrast to the other faster items on the programme. Our set ended with the "Prelude to Act III from Lohengrin", the German opera by Richard Wagner.
Before the Houghton Weavers began their set, we did a joint item. For this, we played "Any Dream Will Do" from the musical "Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat" by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The Houghton Weavers then sang two sets, either side of a short interval, where they sang many of their well-known songs, including some of the Pemberton Band's favourite's "Matchstalk Men" and especially "Uncle Joe's Mintballs". We came together for one more number "Bless This House" and then it was Pemberton Band's turn again.
We returned to the British Isles for an Irish mix of music from the pen of Peter Graham, well-known composer and arranger for the Brass Band medium. This piece was "Gaelforce" and is made up of the celtic tunes 'The Rocky Road to Dublin', 'The Minstrel Boy' and 'Tossing the Feathers'.
Following the draw for the raffle, the band's other soloist of the evening took us on an Italian journey through music from Rossini's Opera 'The Barber of Seville' featuring Steve Parfitt on E-flat Bass (Tuba), the baritone aria "Largo al Factotum". There was a suprise contribution from John Don-Duncan, which entertained the audience and band alike.
The band's last item was a return to German opera, Wagner and, in fact, 'Lohengrin'. The band conluded the evening with the beautifully lyrical and rousing "Procession to the Minster". Because of the band's wonderful playing, an encore was needed and so we performed our usual encore "You are my Sunshine", which has to be seen to be believed, as the band's vocal talents are put to good use and the local football and rugby interest even gets a mention!
We are now busy preparing for the Scottish Open on the 20th November, in Perth, as well as concerts (two next weekend, and a Remembrance Sunday parade for the Senior band and the 'B' band, as well as the Christmas season getting into full swing in only a few weeks!) For further details of upcoming concerts to make sure you don't miss us, the 'B' Band or the Youth Band in action, please visit the band website and click on 'Events'.
