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Les

NYBBGB - Summer Course

This Summer I had the pleasure of performing as guest soloist with the National Youth Brass Band of Great. I was on the course for 4 days and had a fantastic time working with the band and Bramwell Tovey. It culminated in two fantastic concerts and here is a review taken from http://www.4barsrest.com/

"Dr Tovey devised the intense programme, and whilst some of the finest bands around would have found the repertoire hard on the lips, the youngsters took it in their stride and grew in strength to perform to a very high standard.Whilst the programme was designed to test the players to a level that reflects their talents, the concerts were also a showcase opportunity too – something that was reflected in the eclectic programme on the night. Following the National Anthem, the band went straight into Rimmer’s colourful march, ‘Salome’ that was full of colour and excitement, and which set the musical scene for the rest of the evening.

Two pieces in the first half came from the pen of Major Leslie Condon. ‘Call of the Righteous’ was written for the Enfield Citadel Band in the 1960s. The work which features the song, ‘When the Roll is called up Yonder’ is dramatic and purposeful and the band delivered a fine performance of this classic work.
The second Condon piece came from tuba soloist, Les Neish. ‘Celestial Morn’ was one of the first composed for solo tuba and it is now an established classic of its genre piece in the Salvation Army repertoire. Les was on tip top form with an intuitive understanding of the music that exploited the full range of the instrument without ever sounding forced.

In between these works came Gilbert Vinter’s playfully lyrical ‘Variations on a Ninth’, written for the National finals in 1964 where John Berryman, who was a tutor on this course was part of the GUS Band that took the coveted trophy.
With 2009 marking the centenary of Vinter’s birth, it could well appear at the RNCM Festival of Brass in January where his music will be showcased. In 1964 it was considered a very demanding work, and whilst it still retains its tricky obstacles Dr Tovey and his troops produced a fine reading.
The main soloists were excellent with Ben Hirons who was leading the band in the first half on principal cornet, soprano, Mark Harrison, horn, Andrew Moore and Matthew White on Principal Euphonium each producing excellent solo cadenzas in particular.
For this year’s Summer course two Joint-Principal Cornets and Leaders were chosen - Ben Hirons and James Fountain. Both were exemplary, with 14 year old James, who plays with GUS on repiano, really stepping up to the plate in the second half with a mature display of confidence that belied his age.

During his tenure as Artistic Director, Dr Tovey has not only set his players challenging programmes but mixes new compositions with classics of the genre.
‘Labour and Love’ was such a choice with the MD giving the old warhorse plenty of opportunity for expression. The players did find it a challenge though, with style and concentration lapsing in places, but it was an invaluable insight for them as performers.

The next two pieces have not had many performances, but are absolute crackers.
Firstly, the collaboration from Dr Tovey, Edward Gregson, Michael Ball, Elgar Howarth and the music of Sir Michael Tippett arranged by Paul Hindmarsh entitled, ‘Variations on the Theme of Michael Tippett’.
The work was premiered by Fodens in 2005 under Bramwell Tovey and the idea was to acknowledge landmark birthdays for both Gregson and Howarth and the centenary of the birth of Tippett.
Dr Tovey admitted he was in two minds whether to include the work or not, but in the end the audience got treated to fourteen minutes of fabulous music making.
The opening entitled ‘Processional' was very regal, whereas the ‘Danse des Amis' was a delight. Gregson's contribution was a lyrical ‘Midsummer Song' whilst Dr Ball's segment was touchingly light and almost dainty. Elgar Howarth returned to the Processional theme and offered musical glimpses from the Tippett opera, ‘King Priam' – all pomp and splendour, whilst the climax came in Wilby's magnificent ‘Birthday Fugue' - a real roller-coaster ride and edge of the seat stuff.

Les Neish then returned for Andy Scott’s ‘Salt of the Earth’. The tuba concerto was given its world premiere back in January at the RNCM Festival of Brass and is a three movement work that tests both the soloist and band to the full.



2nd Mvt. - Salt of the Earth

It’s mix of styles and rhythmic patterns were handles with sheer artistic aplomb by both parties and Les Neish’s interpretation was absolutely nothing short of superb. Les wasn’t quite finished though as he just had enough lip left for ‘Fnugg’ by Oystein Baadsvik – the must have piece for Eb Bass players to show off their virtuoso talents. And what a talent this man is!

The city of Coventry suffered terrible destruction during the war years. Whilst Dr Tovey was associated with the Rigid Containers Band (now known as Virtuosi GUS) he composed ‘Coventry Variations’ a challenging piece that was used at the Areas in 2004. Based notionally on the famous ’Coventry Carol’ it demands much of musicianship and stamina the underlying trauma of the destructive bombing of the city and its results permeates the work. It was a dignified and very accomplished performance to end the concert.

The encores for the NYBBGB concerts do have a traditional feel to them. Firstly, a march, ‘The Cossack’ which was taken at a fine tempo, before the players (with considerable humour it must be said) gave a reprise by humming their parts.
The hymn tune, ‘St Clement’ was much more to their liking with Maestro Tovey once again bringing the best out of his troops and it brought the concert to a fabulous close"

Malcolm Wood - http://www.4barsrest.com/

Many thanks to everyone involved at NYBBGB and to the youngsters of the band who were absolutely fantastic!! I hope they are all still whistling the seocnd mvt of "Salt of the Earth"!!!!!

Brass Band Aid Concert!!

Children and adults enjoyed a spellbinding concert given by low brass stars – Katrina Marzella and Les Neish, at Alderley Edge Methodist Church on July 10th. The concert was held to raise funds for Brass Band Aid, and also as a farewell to local girl and promising euphonium player, Mimi Nicholson, before she takes up a place at Chetham’s School of Music in September.

The audience were treated to numerous solos from Katrina and Les, which included original compositions and arrangements for baritone and tuba. The first half of the concert also saw Mimi take to the stage and perform a mature performance of Curnow’s Rhapsody for Euphonium, which was well received by the capacity audience. All soloists were accompanied on the piano by Malcolm Forbes Peckham, who played with panache and great understanding of the music.

The second half saw Katrina and Les joined by Matthew White, brass finalist in this year’s BBC Young Musician of the Year, and Chris Doran, principal Eb tuba of the Leyland Band. They performed original compositions and arrangements for tuba quartet, including a stunning performance of J.S. Bach’s Contrapunctus IX. For the finale the quartet were joined by Mimi to play Sousa’s Stars and Stripes to bring the concert to a highly successful conclusion.

The concert raised over £300 for Brass Band Aid; BBA Trustee Katrina was ‘delighted that the concert raised much needed funds for the charity and hopes this concert becomes an annual event’

New Sound Files

I have eventually added some more sound files to the player on my blog with some help from my good friend and composer Peter Meechan

The new tracks include parts of the live performance of Andy Scott's "Salt of the Earth" from the 2008 RNCM Festival of Brass and a short clip of "Zigeunerweisen" from the Gala Concert of Cornwall Youth Brass Band's Easter Course

Enjoy!!!

Les

Dalmellington Band

Well, after a great time in Cornwall I travelled up to Scotland to take part in a weekend with the Dalmellington Band. I must admit that it is a place I had never heard of before but after my weekend there, I sure won't forget it

I was asked to adjudicate their Annual Slow Melody Competition, perform some solos with the band and also take a Masterclass with Dalmellington's thriving Youth Band.

I had a fantastic weekend and was amazed to see such an amazing set up. They had a new purpose built bandroom which was absolutely excellent and it was amazing to see such a community spirit in such a small place. Everybody in the area supported the band and the players themselves were 100% committed!!

I must admit that the highlight for me was working with the Youth Band. They are a great bunch and the masterclass was really good fun for all. They responded well to everything I had to say and they even managed to follow my dodgy conducting too!!

We worked on the set piece they were preparing for the National Youth Championships at the RNCM. It was the Youth Band's first visit to the competition and they walked away with a Silver Award which is a great achievement. I am really glad the band did so well and I wish them all the best fro the future!! I really do hope to be back in Dalmellington some time soon!!

Cornish Youth Band

With over fifty members giving up their Easter holidays to make music, the four day residential Course of the Band culminated in a successful Concert at St Michael’s Church in Newquay on Easter Monday. The Course, which was based at Truro High School for Girls, involved intensive full band rehearsals as well as detailed sectional work with individual instrumental tutors. Directing the Course was Garry Cutt, the Conductor of not one, but two world class brass bands, Fodens and Grimethorpe Colliery. His testing choice of programme encompassed music from the early part of the last century by the legendary William Rimmer, to present day composers, Peter Graham and Kenneth Downie.









The Band was fortunate to be joined by the young Tuba Soloist, Leslie Neish, who flew in direct from an engagement playing for the President of Malta. Three of his solos were first performances of arrangements made especially for him. He also took a Master Class during the Course working with three members of the Bass Section, Rachel Crabb, Jacob Pritchard and Matthew Julian.










The opening march in the Concert was dedicated to memory of the late President of the Band, Micky Hunt, who had passed away just a week before. He had been connected with the Band since 1959 and had given countless hours of service helping the young players improve and enjoy their music making.

The high standard of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band and their dedication to music was commented on by The Mayor of Restormel, Councillor Pat Harvey, who spoke to the audience during the Concert and praised the young musicians and their supportive parents, saying that they were a credit to the County. The musicians, whose ages ranged from eleven to nineteen, came from nineteen parent bands throughout Cornwall and are supported at their monthly Rehearsals, and during the Course, by a team of local Tutors, all of whom have been members of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band in the past.

The Annual Awards of the Band were presented by the Chairman, Leonard Adams. The Youngest Player was James Telling, the Most Promising Player, Caitlin Strike, Most Improved Player, Zoe Teague. The W A Hunt Cup for the Player who had made the Most Conspicuous Contribution to the Band during the year was awarded to Edward Thomas and the Player of the Year was Lowenna Taylor. She also received The Eric Richards Memorial Shield from Mrs Janet Richards after having been voted Players’ Player by her fellow musicians. The A R Trudgian Youth Awards, which are presented at The West of England Bandsman’s Festival in June went to Joanne Rowe and Jacob Pritchard. The Chairman also made a Presentation to David Loukes on his retirement from the post of Senior Tutor and Music Co-ordinator after ten Courses.

SOUNDS OF BRASS

BROADCAST ON BBC RADIO BRISTOL, CORNWALL, DEVON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, GUERNSEY, JERSEY, SOMERSET SOUND, SWINDON & WILTSHIRE EVERY SUNDAY EVENING @ 5 PAST 7
PRODUCED AND PRESENTED BY PHILLIP HUNT
FM Frequencies, BRISTOL 94.9,CORNWALL 95.2, DEVON 103.4, GLOUCESTERSHIRE 104.7,GUERNSEY 93.2, JERSEY 88.8, SWINDON 103.6, WILTSHIRE 104.3.
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Listing for Sunday 20th April 2008.

PRAISE Wilfred Heaton
RULE BRITANNIA William Rimmer
PAVANE G Faure arr. Gordon Langford
CELESTIAL MORN Leslie Condon
Tuba Soloist Leslie Neish
SERENADE from THE STUDENT PRINCE S Romburg
arr. Alan Catherwood
Tuba Soloist Leslie Neish
Cornwall Youth Brass Band Conductor Garry Cutt

IN THE HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN KING E Greig arr. Darrol Barry
Brighouse & Rastrick Band Conductor Richard Evans

A SPECIAL PLACE Goff Richards
Combined Bands of Camborne and St Austell Conductor Goff Richards

SOUNDS OF BRASS Kevin Ackford
Camborne Town Band Conductor Kevin Ackford

THE TREVITHICK DAY DANCE arr. Geoffrey Self
Camborne Town Band Conductor Graham Boag

MYTHIC TREVITHICK Goff Richards
Camborne Town Band Conductor Graham Boag