Milnrow Band in concert

Milnrow Band

After introductions by David Ashworth, members of the capacity audience settled back in anticipation of an evening of musical delight, to be provided by Milnrow Band, at Boarshurst Band Club Sunday 13 April 2014 and they were not disappointed in their expectations.

Under the expert direction of guest conductor Russell Gray (regular Musical Director Mareika Gray being away on adjudication duties) and led on principal cornet for the evening by Rob Westacott (regular principal Joanne Johnson being on holiday) it was evident from the opening bars of the first item 'Prelude to Talis', by Peter Graham that the band was in excellent form.

Two well received new solo items featured in the first half, 'The Piper of Dundee' by Kenneth Downie, in which Mike Morris (solo horn) exhibited his consummate skill and technical mastery of the instrument thrilling the audience, and Chris Binns (solo trombone) who treated the audience to a swing band type version of 'Autumn Leaves', an arrangment by Bill Geldard (formerly of the Ted Heath Band). Both soloists were well supported by the rest of the band with sympathetic and well controlled accompaniment.

The first half treat also included items such as the overture 'Ruy Blas' (Mendelssohn), 'Sparkling Diamonds' as featured in the film Moulin Rouge, Eric Whiteacre's 'Seal Lullaby' and finished with virtually the only item without a Scottish connection Gareth Wood's arrangement of the Welsh 'Sosban Fach'. 

After the break, the band opened with a unique and rousing version of Ernesto Lecuona's 'Malageuna', and included 'Lady Stewart's Air' (Peter Graham) and a feast of solo items, including an unusual duet.

Kenny Pain (soprano cornet) wowed the audience with his stratospheric playing of Linda and Paul McCartney's arrangement of the James Bond theme 'Live and Let Die'.

Natalie Beer (flugel horn) showed excellent ability,tone and control with her playing of the theme 'Children of Sanchez'from the 1970s movie of the same name, and
James Emberley (euphonium) stepped forward with a fine interpretation of 'The Holy Well' from Peter Graham's 'Alderley Edge Suite'. Completing the solo items was actually a duet featuring the Ebb basses of John Clough and Gordon Clarke with a musically comical 'The Bare Necessities of Life' from Disney's Jungle Book.

Compered throughout by MD Russell Gray, who engaged the audience with his knowledge of the background information of the music played, including an excellent description of the final item Respighi's 'Pines of Rome' as arranged by Howard Snell. In this graphic musical portrayal of a marching Roman army the band was able to show some of the attributes which has carried it to success in the contest arena.

Boarshurst club representative Janet Payne thanked the band for a great evening of music and called for the soloists to stand to receive a final ovation, she also asked for the same to be accorded to the rest of the band for the excellent support playing overall. Reiterating these sentiments David Ashworth also called for special recognition for MD Russell Gray.

The band played for its curtain call item the well known 'Radetski March' in which audience participation was encouraged.

A Sunday evening of the finest of brass music by the Milnrow Championship Band.