Well, the Senior band have now finished for Christmas, after a busy end of the year. Since October the senior band have been oerforming either on the concert or contest stage every weekend until last weekend, the 12th of December. On 4th December was the band's first Christmas concert. Because of the snow, we had to cancel our planned rehearsal on 1st December, so we began the evening with a brief rehearsal of music for the Christmas programme. We arrived at Trinity United Reformed Church for rehearsal at 6pm, before we played to the audience from 7.30pm. As always, this was a huge success. This is a fantastic acoustic to play in, and the audience are always very receptive!
The following day, was the highlight of the Christmas season for the Pemberton organisation. At Aspull Civic Hall, all three bands shared the stage in our self-promoted concert for our friends and families. The Youth band kicked off the concert with their usual youthful spirit, as they entertained the audience with a selection of Christmas items! The B Band then took to the stage and displayed some of their own Christmas items, with highlights being a solo by Danielle Marsh and a duet from the new Euphonium team of siblings Helen and Robert Don-Duncan. After a short interval, which featured the annual raffle where numerous prizes were given out, the Senior Band took to the stage and played a selection of their Christmas programme, including solos from Joanne Johnson and Nick Birch.
For the Senior Band, the next performance was at Dean Wood Golf Club in Upholland, Wigan, where we have given a mid-week Christmas concert for a number of years now. On Wednesday 8th December we performed to a packed golf club, with their usual welcoming reception. We were treated to warm mince pies at the interval, and were very pleased to play a selection of music from our most recent concert programme as well a second half jam-packed with Christmas themed music!
Next for the bands was our inaugural Band Dinner, on Saturday 11th December. The band enjoyed an evening of food, drink, music (not provided by ourselves for a change!) and some anecdotal stories from Gilbert Symes. We also paid tribute to some of the people involved in the organisation for their hard work over year. The evening was a great success, and we must thank Carina, Joanne, Jennifer, Christine and Sue for their hardwork in making it such a wonderful evening! We also thanked some of our members who are now leaving the band, David Marsh, Lisa Thompson and Rebekah Caldwell. For a more detailed tribute please visit the News section of the band website.
The next day, Sunday 12th December, with some sore heads, the Senior Band had its final day together of 2010, with two concerts. At lunchtime, we played a concert for our sponsor David Whelan, in front of members of the Wigan Rugby team and the manager of the Wigan Football team, Mr Roberto Martinez. This was a highlight for some of the female members of the band, as well as the Wigan supporters within the band! The band thanked Mr Whelan for his continuous support with a gift from the organisation. We were treated to a fantastic hotpot after the short concert courtesy of Mr Whelan and we took full advantage of his hospitality!
A few hours later, we were at Longton Bowling Club for another short rehearsal followed by a concert at the only venue we perform at twice a year. The first half of the concert was made up of music from the Silver Screen, including Born Free, Where Eagles Dare and Concerto d'Aranjuez. The second half was our final run-out of our Christmas music, which as always, featured some audience participation, where they got the chance to show off their vocal 'talents'! The band shared one or two beverages and mice pies at the Bowling Club before going their separate ways for 2010!
After a very busy few months, the Senior Band are happy to now be on a break until Januray 5th, when we will return to rehearsals in preparation for the Preston 'Brass at the Guild' contest, the Regional Championships and a possible CD recording in March!
The B Band have also been busy with concerts, and we will hopefully be able to provide you with a report of them before the year is out! The B Band are also still rehearsing over the Christmas period in preparation for their contest assault at the Butlins Mineworkers Championships at the end fo January!
If you have been at one of our concerts this year and would like to share your own personal highlights please leave a comment here on the blog, or at our Facebook fan page. Alternatively, e-mail the band at pembertonband@hotmail.co.uk for a more private comment.
Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to all our members, friends, family and supporters!
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Monday, 29 November 2010
On Alderley Edge
Saturday 27th November saw the senior band brave a lengthy trip to Cheshire in the cold weather. This was the band's first visit to Alderley Edge and the further trip for a concert this year. We were at Alderley Edge Methodist Church, where the church were celebrating a Christmas Tree Festival. Surprisingly, we were asked not to perform a Christmas, because we were a day too soon for the start of advent.
The band began with the Kenneth Alford march 'The Thin Red Line', which demonstrated the band's full, rich sound and poise. Following this was the first soloist of the evening. Joanne Johnson played a showcase solo written by a former conductor of the band William Rimmer, 'Hailstorm'. As always, the band's principal cornet player stepped up and played with great soloist prowess and impressed her peers in the band as much as the receptive audience.
We then moved into the German Romantic Opera repertoire of Wagner, to play the 'Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin'. It was then time for the band's second soloist of the evening and his first solo as a fully-fledged member of the band, having agreed to join after Perth last weekend. Nick Birch chose to play the Mario Lanza hit 'Be My Love' which displayed his rich sound and musicality beyond his tender years.
There was then a reprise of our novelty item from the Wychavon programme, 'Pizziwato Polka'. The band next moved into the first item, of many, that featured our vocal talents 'Turned Out Nice Again', a medley of Wigan singer, George Formby, songs. A reprise of another Wychavon item 'Jewish Wedding Dance' showcasing the bands technical and virtuosic skill led into our regular concert item 'MacArthur Park' which closed the first half.
We opened the second half with our usual item 'Tico Tico', featuring all sections of the band. Our third soloist of the band then stood up to play 'Children of Sanchez' by Chuck Mangione. Carina Halliwell played this with her usual sweet sound and cool, jazz style. The Harold Arlen number 'Get Happy' then again featured all sections of the band, before our final soloist of the evening Jason Nowell romped through 'Show me the way to go home', with added comic effect.
Our next item was another vocal showcase, 'Bohemian Rhapsody', where the band sang almost half of the song, with a large section sung a capella, i.e. unaccompanied. This is always well received. Our last item was 'Symphonic Dances from West Side Story' which is a real tour de force for the band, demonstrating not only great technical skill, but also the ability to quickly change style between the songs from the musical featured in this selection.
The Alderley Edge were very appreciative of the whole concert, and so we treated them to our usual encore 'You are my sunshine', which features the band's vocal talents yet again. The football/rugby themed scarves also add to this item when we waved them from opposite sides of the band. Our first venture to Alderley Edge was a pleasant one and we hope to return again in the future.
We are now about to begin our series of Christmas concerts, starting this weekend at Trinity United Reformed Church on Saturday and then all three bands will perform at Aspull Civic Hall on Sunday where we would love to see you all there. For more details of these, and all concerts through December, please visit the website, our Facebook Events Page or e-mail the band for more information.
The band began with the Kenneth Alford march 'The Thin Red Line', which demonstrated the band's full, rich sound and poise. Following this was the first soloist of the evening. Joanne Johnson played a showcase solo written by a former conductor of the band William Rimmer, 'Hailstorm'. As always, the band's principal cornet player stepped up and played with great soloist prowess and impressed her peers in the band as much as the receptive audience.
We then moved into the German Romantic Opera repertoire of Wagner, to play the 'Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin'. It was then time for the band's second soloist of the evening and his first solo as a fully-fledged member of the band, having agreed to join after Perth last weekend. Nick Birch chose to play the Mario Lanza hit 'Be My Love' which displayed his rich sound and musicality beyond his tender years.
There was then a reprise of our novelty item from the Wychavon programme, 'Pizziwato Polka'. The band next moved into the first item, of many, that featured our vocal talents 'Turned Out Nice Again', a medley of Wigan singer, George Formby, songs. A reprise of another Wychavon item 'Jewish Wedding Dance' showcasing the bands technical and virtuosic skill led into our regular concert item 'MacArthur Park' which closed the first half.
We opened the second half with our usual item 'Tico Tico', featuring all sections of the band. Our third soloist of the band then stood up to play 'Children of Sanchez' by Chuck Mangione. Carina Halliwell played this with her usual sweet sound and cool, jazz style. The Harold Arlen number 'Get Happy' then again featured all sections of the band, before our final soloist of the evening Jason Nowell romped through 'Show me the way to go home', with added comic effect.
Our next item was another vocal showcase, 'Bohemian Rhapsody', where the band sang almost half of the song, with a large section sung a capella, i.e. unaccompanied. This is always well received. Our last item was 'Symphonic Dances from West Side Story' which is a real tour de force for the band, demonstrating not only great technical skill, but also the ability to quickly change style between the songs from the musical featured in this selection.
The Alderley Edge were very appreciative of the whole concert, and so we treated them to our usual encore 'You are my sunshine', which features the band's vocal talents yet again. The football/rugby themed scarves also add to this item when we waved them from opposite sides of the band. Our first venture to Alderley Edge was a pleasant one and we hope to return again in the future.
We are now about to begin our series of Christmas concerts, starting this weekend at Trinity United Reformed Church on Saturday and then all three bands will perform at Aspull Civic Hall on Sunday where we would love to see you all there. For more details of these, and all concerts through December, please visit the website, our Facebook Events Page or e-mail the band for more information.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Pemberton to Perth for the Senior Band
This weekend was the Senior Band's annual pilgrimage to Perth where we have competed in the Scottish Open Brass Band Championships for the last 3 years. This year was little different, because for the first time at a British Contest with a set Test Piece, the adjudicators were in the open and could see exactly who was playing.
The band arrived in Perth early Friday evening after a day on the road. At 7.30 we all arrived at St Ninian's Cathedral for rehearsal. What a rehearsal space! If we could move that acoustic to the bandroom, we would! Mark Bentham put the band through their paces applying the finishing touches to the already strong interpretation of Simon Dobson's new work "...and when the river told...".
A fun filled evening ensued as the contest wasn't due to begin until after lunch the next day. We had already been drawn to play 12th in the 15 band field, so didn't meet for our pre-contest rehearsal until 2.30. The very last touches and we were ready to go!
We took to the stage around 5pm, in an unusual formation. Cornets were split up, with the back row sitting where the front row usually sit, front row and sop opposite and horns in the back row's usual position. Although at first this may have seemed strange, it proved to be an effective setup as the piece went on.
1] ...and so the river flows...
The piece opened with a mixture of muted and open cornets, playing repeated patterns to resemble the sound of a flowing river, with some percussion effects (including bowing a vibraphone!). This becomes the accompaniment to a horn solo, which Lynne Campbell played stood out of the band to ensure it carried and to provide visual interest.
The piece then builds up to the second movement...
2] ...the charter is granted...and a storm rages...
This movement is much more boistrous and depicts a storm and introduces some of the themes that make up the main elements of the piece. There are solos in this section for cornet (Joanne Johnson) and euphonium (Nick Birch). This then builds up to a climax which almost immediately drops away to lead into the third movement...
3] ...and still the river flows...
The cornet and percussion material from the beginning of the piece returns, this time accompanying a melodic trombone solo, ably played by David Chapman, and then a soprano cornet solo, featuring John Atkinson. This makes way for two more melodic solos ably played by Carina Halliwell on flugel and Joanne Johnson on cornet.
4] ...the clan battle of North Inch...
The piece then takes a change of pace when the front row play a fanfare (with dissonant sounds and flutter tonguing effects) before a percussion and back row build up to a full band depiction of the battle. At this point the horns and the cornets simulate the two clans in this battle, and their positions on stage become very effective.
A chorale for the dead
The vibraphone effects are now developed further as the battle is over, and the scene is more desolate.
5] ...and the river flows...
The river themes return and new material is introduced by the cornet (Joanne Johnson) imitated by the flugel (Carina Halliwell).
6] ...from glass and dye to modern times...
This is then developed, with earlier material briefly returning as the piece builds up to a dramatic climax featuring all sections of the band.
After a long wait (the current National Champions of Great Britain, Brighouse & Rastrick Band played a Gala Concert), the results were in. In third place.......... Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band. Although we were disappointed not to have had a top spot we were still pleased to be the best English band at the contest, and were especially pleased to find out that the composer had placed us first because of the way our story was told.
For full results, go to the SBBA Website.
As is typical of the Pem spirit, we celebrate well into the night and enjoyed a leisurely journey home the next day!
The band arrived in Perth early Friday evening after a day on the road. At 7.30 we all arrived at St Ninian's Cathedral for rehearsal. What a rehearsal space! If we could move that acoustic to the bandroom, we would! Mark Bentham put the band through their paces applying the finishing touches to the already strong interpretation of Simon Dobson's new work "...and when the river told...".
A fun filled evening ensued as the contest wasn't due to begin until after lunch the next day. We had already been drawn to play 12th in the 15 band field, so didn't meet for our pre-contest rehearsal until 2.30. The very last touches and we were ready to go!
We took to the stage around 5pm, in an unusual formation. Cornets were split up, with the back row sitting where the front row usually sit, front row and sop opposite and horns in the back row's usual position. Although at first this may have seemed strange, it proved to be an effective setup as the piece went on.
1] ...and so the river flows...
The piece opened with a mixture of muted and open cornets, playing repeated patterns to resemble the sound of a flowing river, with some percussion effects (including bowing a vibraphone!). This becomes the accompaniment to a horn solo, which Lynne Campbell played stood out of the band to ensure it carried and to provide visual interest.
The piece then builds up to the second movement...
2] ...the charter is granted...and a storm rages...
This movement is much more boistrous and depicts a storm and introduces some of the themes that make up the main elements of the piece. There are solos in this section for cornet (Joanne Johnson) and euphonium (Nick Birch). This then builds up to a climax which almost immediately drops away to lead into the third movement...
3] ...and still the river flows...
The cornet and percussion material from the beginning of the piece returns, this time accompanying a melodic trombone solo, ably played by David Chapman, and then a soprano cornet solo, featuring John Atkinson. This makes way for two more melodic solos ably played by Carina Halliwell on flugel and Joanne Johnson on cornet.
4] ...the clan battle of North Inch...
The piece then takes a change of pace when the front row play a fanfare (with dissonant sounds and flutter tonguing effects) before a percussion and back row build up to a full band depiction of the battle. At this point the horns and the cornets simulate the two clans in this battle, and their positions on stage become very effective.
A chorale for the dead
The vibraphone effects are now developed further as the battle is over, and the scene is more desolate.
5] ...and the river flows...
The river themes return and new material is introduced by the cornet (Joanne Johnson) imitated by the flugel (Carina Halliwell).
6] ...from glass and dye to modern times...
This is then developed, with earlier material briefly returning as the piece builds up to a dramatic climax featuring all sections of the band.
After a long wait (the current National Champions of Great Britain, Brighouse & Rastrick Band played a Gala Concert), the results were in. In third place.......... Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band. Although we were disappointed not to have had a top spot we were still pleased to be the best English band at the contest, and were especially pleased to find out that the composer had placed us first because of the way our story was told.
For full results, go to the SBBA Website.
As is typical of the Pem spirit, we celebrate well into the night and enjoyed a leisurely journey home the next day!
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