A Farewell to Long Serving Flugel Player

Carina Halliwell joined the Pemberton organisation almost 20 years ago as a youngster hopeful of a chance to play at the band, following in her father's footsteps. After years working up through the organisation, from Youth to B Band and then into the Senior Band, from cornet to flugel, Carina has been a soloist the band has been able to rely on for a number of years.

Carina's commitment to the band has been exemplary, including a spell as band secretary. Her contributions on both the concert and contests stage have been infallible and will leave a gap which will be difficult to fill. Due to professional and personal reasons, Carina thinks it is the right time for a break. We are sad to see her leave, but are eternally grateful to her for the service she has provided to the band in her two decades with the organisation.

From all in the Pemberton Old Wigan organisation, we wish you well and look forward to seeing you in the future.

Pemberton Principal gains Masters with Distinction

Pemberton DW Brass Band are very proud and pleased to announce that Principal Cornet Joanne Johnson as gained her Masters with distinction in Performance at Salford University.

 

Joanne has played Principal Cornet with the band for the last 16 years, joining them in the 3^rd section in 1996 at the age of sixteen. She qualified as an Optician in 2001 but later in life had regrets that she didn’t go to Music College so enquired about doing the Masters last July.

Joanne says “I have absolutely loved the last twelve months at Salford; from having lessons with Cornet Legend Brian Taylor to making friends for life. I can’t thank the band and Mark Bentham enough for the time and effort they put into helping me prepare and accompany me for my final recital.

The band has a very busy concert period to look forward to now with only a couple of free weekends to the end of the year and are looking forward to their annual trip up North to Perth to take part in the Scottish Open Championships.

An Autumn Concert with Highfield MVC

The Senior band are in action again this weekend on "An Autumn Concert" with Highfiled Male Voice Choir.

Based in Runcorn, ‘The Highfield’ has a long and rich history, celebrating its centenary in 2011. The choir performs concerts throughout the region and regularly performs joint concerts with other male voice choirs and musical organisations such as ourselves.

The concert is Saturday 22nd September and is at "The Brindley Theatre", Runcorn and starts at 7.30pm.  To book tickets contact the box office on 0151 907 8360. Tickets will also be available on the door (poster and full details below).

You can also book online by pressing here.

Farewell to Jolly Simon.....

The band said farewell to 2nd horn player Simon Jolly aka "Chorley" at the weekend as he played his last concert for the senior band in his home town.

All from Pemberton would like to wish him the best of luck and we hope the Scottish Guards know what they are letting themselves in for.

All the best Simon you will be missed!!

Masters Recital

Featuring Joanne Johnson

Trinity Methodist Church

Pemberton

Wednesday 22nd August 2012

Principal cornet of Pemberton Old Wigan (DW) Band, Joanne Johnson, gave a recital to mark the end of her Masters of Performance degree with Salford University.  The "final recital" brings together all the hard work and dedication of any music degree to feature the performer at the height of their career to date and what a future this sparkling talent has ahead of her!

Johnson began the Masters Degree in the summer of 2011 with a fairly simple and innocent goal, claiming that she "just wanted to be a better player."  Gaining invaluable advice from cornet virtuoso, Brian Taylor through-out her studies, she has clearly excelled.

After a pleasantly presented short history of the Pemberton Band, Johnson kicked things off with the popular Jubilance by William Himes.  Vibrant and snappy, this piece introduced the player's unquestionable technique and artistic flair.  A modern classic which went down a treat!

Next up was a piece that was specially written for Johnson and the band back in 2000.  One Starlit Night by Frank Hughes, who made a special appearance amongst the sizeable audience, settled the heart rates with lyrical lines and beautiful harmonies.  The quality sound of the cornet brought light to the church like an astronomical firework display.

The soloist's playing career to date has naturally been influenced by the Pemberton Band and she thoughtfully paid respect to this with an old favourite from one of the band's previous Musical Directors, William Rimmer.  His Hailstorm is a technical feast for any cornet player, requiring not only superb control but great endurance.  Johnson paid joyous homage to Rimmer here with class and precision.

She extended the tribute by showcasing another of the band's associates.  A charming arrangement of Fields of Gold by Pemberton's current conductor, Mark Bentham exposed the warmth in the performer's natural sound.  Johnson undoubtedly had the 'Midas Touch' in this tender interpretation of the popular Sting ballad.

Charivari by John Iveson brought this recital to a close with some Spanish passion and style.  At the end of this exciting and rewarding performance, Bentham congratulated the soloist for her "brilliantly played, well varied programme."

Review by Rebekah Caldwell