Evesham 'Bands in the Park'

Evesham 'Bands in the Park' A small of group of volunteers active in promoting Sunday 'Band Concerts' in the Abbey Park, Evesham

25/03/2020

Disappointing news at present, whilst we have an exciting full programme of bands booked from May for the 2020 Sunday Concert series, it seems unlikely that the programme will be allowed to go ahead as planned due to the restrictions in place to control the 'coronavirus' epidemic.We hope to inform loyal supporters should the situation improve and we are able to start later in July/August

30/12/2019

Happy New Year!
We appreciate your support and look forward to sharing an exciting 2020 'Summer Season' of bands with you all!

16/09/2019

SUNDAY 8th SEPTEMBER – ALCESTER VICTORIA SILVER BAND blessed with super summer weather brought the 2019 series of concerts to a successful Close. The band, under the direction of Nick Smith, opened the concert with a special request for the ‘stirring’ march by Arnold Safroni ‘Imperial Echoes’ arranged by: J. Ord Hume. This was followed by ‘Bridge over troubled water’ made famous by the American Folk-Rock duo Simon and Garfunkel in 1970, which reached No1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on February 28, remaining at the top for six weeks. It also topped the adult contemporary chart in the US for six weeks.
‘Conquest of Paradise 1492’ part of the 1992 music score to the English-language French-Spanish epic historical drama film of the same name by Greek electronic composer Vangelis was next. The film, a recount of the voyage to America in 1492 by Christopher Columbus' and the discovery of the Americas and the effect it had on the indigenous people. was directed and produced by Ridley Scott and starred Gérard Depardieu, Armand Assante, and Sigourney Weaver.
Jane Richardson was featured on Tenor Horn playing an excellent rendition of the popular film theme to ‘Local Hero’. Afterwards, Nick Smith said that looking to vary the programme, they’d found an arrangement in the archives by Gordon Langford, to an interesting piece by L Knipper about the Cavalry of the Steps, entitled ‘Cossack Patrol’ which the band had decided to include.
A big favourite followed next in the form of a lively Goff Richards transcription to ‘Sir Duke’ by Stevie Wonder.
Returning to the world of film music and a piece written by Kaymen, was Derek Broadbent’s arrangement ‘(Everything I Do) I Do it For You’’ that became a terrific hit for the singer Bryan Adams in 1991, when featured as the theme music for the movie Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
MD Nick Smith recounted how nice it was to see such a good crowd enjoying themselves as it rekindled thoughts of when he first played in the bandstand with Evesham Town Silver Band, in 1960, with just 10 members saying he himself had played music in the park for 60 years, even playing ball before that.
Following on, it was ‘Intercity’ a great original train theme piece of music by Darroll Barry. But, to finish the first half the band included a terrific medley, called ‘Disney Fantasy’ containing all those memorable catchy Disney hits: ‘With a Smile and a Song’, ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’, ‘Whistle While You Work’, ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’, ‘Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah’, ‘The Bare Necessities’, ‘I Wanna Be Like You’, ’Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf’, ‘I’m the king of the jungle’, ‘I wanna be like you’ etc.etc..
Just before the interval a birthday greeting was announced especially for Abigail who was in the park.

Opening the second half in beautiful warm sunshine the band played the theme from the 1970’s TV series about the 2nd world war, a march entitled ‘Pathfinders’ This was followed by a first-class rendition of the popular Chris de Burgh piece ‘Lady in Red’ by Ian Jones on Flugel Horn.
An enjoyable Denzil Stephens arrangement of ‘Night Flight to Madrid’ by Walter & Kermit Leslie was next before the band moved on to an arrangement by Ken Lloydd of a popular Welsh song, ‘Myfanwy’, (‘My Beloved’ in Welsh) written in 1875. by Joseph Parry a composer and musician born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. (21 May 1841–17 February 1903) he is also remembered as the composer of the hymn tune "Aberystwyth"
At this point the attention was focused on the rather ‘jazzy’ Goff Richards composition ‘Brass Blues’ which apparently began its life as a ‘jazz’ solo for Flugel Horn.
Following on, the musical talents of Bjorn and Benny from Abba combined with Tim Rice in an Andrew Duncan arrangement of the lovely lilting ‘Anthem from Chess’, a nice piece for listeners to appreciate. In striking contrast afterwards, up came a great Alann Fernie arrangement to George Gerswin’s ‘I’ve got Rhythm’ a dramatic opening and build up to a nifty up-tempo toe tapping rhythm. It was time then for a little James Bond excitement to finish what had been another fine afternoon’s concert with a Philip Sparke scoring, of the ‘Theme from Skyfall’, written especially for the 23rd James Bond film, by British singer-songwriter Adele Atkins and her regular collaborator Paul Epworth. True to their promise to present a different or new selection of music from their earlier appearance on the 18th August, today’s music was certainly a superb choice which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. A fitting finish to this season’s Sunday Concerts you couldn’t have had it any better! Well done
ALCESTER VICTORIA SILVER BAND we look forward to seeing you again next year 😊 😉 😉

16/09/2019

SUNDAY 1st SEPTEMBER – ARROW VALLEY BRASS came along to play on what was the first day of the metrological ‘Autumn’. Quite a pleasant afternoon greeted them, a little cooler than the previous week but with a gentle breeze, to encourage one or two falling leaves. MD Ashley Buxton welcomed everyone to the concert saying that the opening march ‘Colonel Bogey’ was one composed by the undisputed ‘march king’ Major F J Ricketts who wrote under the pen name Kenneth J. Alford an English composer whose marches are considered to be amongst the greatest marches for bands he was a Bandmaster in the British Army, and also gained the rank of Royal Marines Director of Music.
Next it was, a pleasing piece written by Scottish composer Allen Fernie, for ’The Greatest Show on Earth’, a 1952 American drama film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille, released by Paramount Pictures. ...
Following on was a delightful tune called ‘The Love that we share’ which had a beautiful melody that the MD was certain the audience would enjoy. It led on afterwards to a pop song that proved a terrific hit in 1964 for ‘The Drifters ‘Under the Boardwalk’ arranged by Philip Harper, which today was confidently featured by the bands Flugel player Tom.
The band was pleased to include the ‘Dads Army’ theme music, at this point from the original TV soundtrack by the Coldstream Guards directed by Trevor Sharpe before taking listeners further into the world of film, when the MD referred to probably one of the most famous brass band films ever ‘Brassed Off’ before introducing the piece played when the band was outside the hospital playing ‘Londonderry Air’ a traditional Irish piece also widely known as ‘Danny Boy’.
This was followed by the ever popular ‘Lincolnshire Poacher’ which was extremely well received. Announcing a change of mood somewhat it was ‘Swingin Clementine’ which followed where it was said the band could go a little bit ‘jazzy’
Afterwards, the band continued with a very acceptable Gordon Langford arrangement of ‘All Through the Night’, a wonderful Welsh song first published by Edward Jones in his Musical and Poetical Relics of the Welsh Bards, having proven a very enjoyable tune with Welsh Male Voice Choirs, it’s now become synonymous across the brass band fraternity.
Changing the theme once more the MD said that they would go for a bit of madness and hope that people would enjoy ‘Baggy Trousers’, continuing on, he observed that the next piece was quite ‘apt’ for playing in the park. It’ being very nice to see quite a few in the audience enjoying picnic’s and ice creams etc .. so appropriately they’d play ‘The Teddy Bears Picnic’. After, having just played that the band were off on one of their own and would return in 20 minutes

Opening the 2nd half was a famous organ piece Suite Gothique (1st Movement) Leon Boellmann, transcribed by one of the most prolific arrangers of brass band music Eric Ball and one time used as a contest piece. Afterwards the band continued with one of the MD’s favourite marches 'Castell Coch' written by T J Powell. Following on with a little exciting James Bond Music the band then turned their attention to an arrangement of ‘Swing low sweet Chariot’.
Included in the programme next was, ’Bring Me Sunshine" a song written in 1966 by the composer Arthur Kent, with lyrics by Sylvia Dee first recorded by The Mills Brothers in 1968 which, later is synonymous with the popular comedy duo Morecambe & Wise, being adopted as their signature tune during their second series for the BBC in 1969. At this point the music of John Barry written for the film ‘Born Free’ was next, the original song lyrics by Don Black helped Matt Munro gain fame with a recorded version that became an all-time hit and also a Baby Food advert. In contrast was a pleasant Goff Richards arrangement of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s composition ‘Memory’.before the band played what was described as a ’wonderful’ Pasa Doble ’Amparita Roca’ by Spanish musician and composer, Jaime Texidor it certainly was a very lively well executed piece conjuring up pictures of energetic dancing, even bull fighting. Following on it was said, could be a little dangerous, despite the weather having remained good all day, Why? because ‘Singing in the Rain’ was next as Gene Kelly’s original iconic performance so everyone should keep their fingers crossed, just in case but fortunately sunshine prevailed,
Unfortunately, time had seemed to move on rather quickly and the final number was imminent, the MD Ashley thanked everyone for their support announcing that unfortunately, the band must play their last number which was ‘You Raise Me Up’, one usually sung by such people as Katherine Jenkins, Alfie Bow or the like, a really beautiful ballad originally recorded by Josh Groban and later in 2003, the group Westlife.
ARROW VALLEY BRASS BAND performed very well today and the ‘Bands in the Park’ Committee were well satisfied and hope to see the band again next season. 😊 😉 😉

27/08/2019

SUNDAY 25th AUGUST – ‘THE ACADEMY BIG BAND’ were overjoyed to play on the first real glorious record-breaking sunny day of the 2019 season. MD Derek Wells aka Derek Bruce welcomed everyone to the Abbey Park, Evesham for a somewhat different Sunday Concert saying that instead of entirely ‘swing’ and ‘jazz’ numbers the big band would mix in a selection of hits from the ‘sixties era’ and would open the first half with the lively Nat Adderley composition ‘Work Song'. following on from ‘Work Song’ was a pop song hit written in 1963 by Carole King ‘I Want To Stay Here’, which those around in the 60’s would surely remember, although he remarked jokingly “there’s not too many of us left now”

Next, from the Rock Opera Jesus Christ Superstar composed of course by Andrew Lloyd Webber was ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’ a nice slow rock version. Having enjoyed this, the audience were then asked to cast their minds back to the days of Harry James and his Band with a Charlie Shavers composition ‘Undecided’ which was believed to be used by the band as a signature tune ‘way back then in the forties’. Derek said that some of the audience may probably have noticed one or two changes in the band today because what with holidays, it especially being bank holiday, they had people away, the trombone section of two were both away and unfortunately deputies couldn’t be found to take their places but, there were some fine deputies in the trumpet section in Adrian White and indeed our friend Steven Nichols who was in the band when it first started and it’s good to see him back again’

Continuing, with one of those ‘big band’ numbers everyone usually has no difficulty recognising as a theme tune, it was ‘Main Title Theme’ from the 1955 Otto Preminger film The Man with The Golden Arm which starred Frank Sinatra and Eleanor Parker......Music by Jerry Gray who wrote and arranged lots and lots of pieces for the great Glenn Miller Orchestra came next in the form of ‘Pennsylvania 6-5000’ before it was back to the good old sixties pop again with ‘Sweet Caroline’ written and recorded by Neil Diamond in 1969. At this point the clock was taken back even further, because one of the greatest big band sounds that there was about was Woody Herman and his band and Woody recorded this particular number many, many times with his various bands which he always called His Herd, it is of course the ‘Woodchoppers Ball’ and spot-lights two or three of the guys in the band. The number featured solos from Adrian White (trumpet), Alan Withers (tenor sax) and Roy Perkins on bass guitar. Following on, described as a gritty rock number was ‘Get Ready’ written by Smokey Robinson, who at that time was the main songwriter for The Temptations. In the Motown stable’ there was a lot of competition amongst songwriters to have their compositions recorded by the Temptations, considered the premier group of the period.
Just before the interval it was ‘Music to Watch Girls By’ a song that began as backing music for a 1965 Diet Pepsi commercial and became a phenomenal success when recorded by Andy Williams in 1967

The band resumed play after the interval with ‘Somewhere’ from the 1957 Broadway musical West Side Story composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Derek said he remembered it recorded by the famous American vocalist P. J. Proby who now lives at Twyford near Evesham. That was in 1964 for Liberty Records and reached 6 in the British singles chart. Following on was an arrangement of ‘Jersey Bounce’ written out especially for the band by Richard Howles from Malvern some while ago, on reflection it was actually played by Benny Goodman and his band in 1942 which later, with lyrics, was recorded in 1961 by the fabulous Ella Fitzgerald.
Mentioning Count Basie and other bands of yester-year Derek spoke about Duke Ellington who played piano, just like Lilya does, saying that he also wrote music which was played by his famous Duke Ellington Orchestra, one of the very finest bands around with a full line up of 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 5 saxophones and a 4 piece rhythm section. Duke wrote the next piece, a very slow lovely tune entitled ‘Solitude’. Afterwards, attention was turned to a Hal Leonard publication, ‘The Muppet Show Theme’ by Jim Henson arranged by Jerry Nowak.
At this point, the band continued with the Buddy Rich Band version of ‘Birdland’ a jazz piece written by Joe Zavinul of the band Weather Report as a tribute to the Birdland nightclub in New York City, which is now a favourite classic that lots of ‘big bands’ like to play.
To follow was a Shearing number, George Shearing the pianist wrote ‘Lullaby of Birdland’ in the early 50’s and it has always remained a well-liked piece in concerts ever since. A rock n' roll song, ‘Proud Mary’ written by John Fogerty and first recorded by his band Creedence Clearwater Revival was mixed into the programme next just before Henry Mancini’s theme from ‘The Pink Panther’ ...And then, Elodie Turner Hurd on Alto Sax took the lead in the popular Love Theme from the Paramount picture ‘The Godfather’
Returning to the sixties the band played ‘Till’ first recorded by Tony Bennett in 1960, then by Shirley Bassey 1961, plus it was recalled, a well-liked version by Tom Jones in 1971. Just after the excitement of an announcement that England had beaten Australia at cricket in the days test match the concert closed to the music of ‘Poetry in Motion’ which later we've been reliably informed was recorded in 1960 by Johnny Tillotson, one of the stars of that time.
The band played well and was certainly appreciated by what turned out to be a large, almost record audience. 'Bands in the Park' thanked the players for an interesting mix of 60's and 'big band' sounds and promised a return visit during the 2020 season ...Well done everyone :-) :-) ;-)

20/08/2019

SUNDAY 18th AUGUST – ALCESTER VICTORIA SILVER BAND.. Thank goodness the weather was promising with only occasional passing grey clouds. Welcoming everyone to the concert MD Nick Smith announced that this year the band felt privileged that they had been given two slots and would be appearing again later in the series for which he extended thanks to the ’Bands in the park’ Committee. For the opening number he described how the band had played ‘Aces High’ from the film The Battle of Britain written by Ron Goodwin and arranged in a military march style by Frank Bryce and often referred to as the Luftwaffe March. Following on was the dramatic and powerful film music of Klaus Badelt written for Walt Disney’s epic ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ which reminded the audience again of many of the memorable themes from the exciting adventures. Next was the film theme music from the 1991 picture ‘Backdraft’ which starred Kurt Russel, William Baldwin and Robert DeNiro amongst other famous actors and portrayed the story of how two brothers working in the Chicago Fire Department, were ‘at war’ with each other over the circumstances that led to the demise of their father in a tragic fire. After commenting on the windy breeze coming across the bandstand Nick Smith, took time to recount how he had first played in the bandstand at age 8 in 1960 during a period when Evesham Town Silver Band had regularly performed every Sunday throughout the summer months He then introduced the first Soloist of the afternoon Graham Hall on Soprano Cornet, saying it is the smallest instrument in the band next to the triangle, Graham confidently played a Ray Farr arrangement, of the theme composed by Linda and Paul McCartney for the popular James Bond film ‘Live and Let Die’. At this point it was time for music written by Irving Berlin, ‘Puttin on the Ritz’ featured in a 1930’s film apparently centred on the desire for everyone to dress very fashionably. Following on with a change to the programme, came a song selected from the huge list of successful Michael Buble numbers ‘Haven’t met you yet’, which it was said became immensely popular after Michael Parkinson featured it on his Sunday morning radio programme.
Nick said, the next music was probably the oldest to be featured in today’s concert, written by Bizet when he was just 25, it was premiered in Paris in 1863. Translated the title is, ‘The Pearl Fishers’ arranged in the form of a Euphonium Duet very capably played this afternoon by bandsmen Joe and Cliff.
‘Singing in the Rain’, has become an iconic favourite through the years especially due to Gene Kelly's performance of it in the 1952 movie of the same name and the piece was certainly very well received today. In a jovial mood Nick Smith told the audience that, he remembered playing at Pershore some years ago when the weather was bad, gradually in the rain the audience depleted until there was just one man left, the rule was that the band must play on for as long as there was anyone listening and so they played on and on and on, until he decided to pop over an ask the man if he had any requests only to get the reply “Yes, when are you going to pack up cos I need to take the chairs away” To finish the first half the band played a ‘jazz’ number ‘Alexanders Ragtime Band’ from the 1938 film of the same name

Beginning the 2nd half was an original Goff Richards composition ‘The Golden Lady’ a rather majestic opening to a nice piece of music. Continuing with a tune, said to be based on the famous melody from the Adagio movement of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, was an arrangement of ‘The Young Amadeus’ this was followed by Trevor Sharp’s work ‘Fanfare and Soliloquy’
Afterwards, based on a French traditional tune taken from a collection of folk songs from the Auvergne region of France was a Goff Richards arrangement entitled ‘The Shepherd's Song’. Which made very pleasant listening and featured today's Principal Cornet player Ian Rochester
At this point, a congratulatory ‘Happy Birthday’ announcement was made for Roger Baron who was celebrating his 74th and the following music, a march was especially dedicated to him…. It was ‘Army of the Nile’ written by Major F J Ricketts who wrote under the pen name Kenneth J. Alford an English composer of over 15 marches considered to be amongst the greatest marches for bands earning him the undisputed title of the ‘British March King’ He was a Bandmaster in the British Army, and Royal Marines Director of Music and died in 1945 aged 64. … Next, was a song ‘Love on the Rocks’ from The Jazz Singer, a 1980 American drama movie released by EMI Films which starred Neil Diamond, Laurence Olivier and Lucie Arnaz, actually a remake of the 1927 Jazz Singer film, today it was arranged as a Cornet solo which featured Vic Butler who delivered a nice competent warm rendition
Following on it was another fine Goff Richards arrangement ‘There’s No business-like Show business’ written by Irving Berlin, in which the British composer, arranger and adjudicator Goff, really demonstrates the reason why his arrangements are so popular with the brass band fraternity and favoured by today's band. The audience were invited next to listen to the Horn Section featured in the well-liked Lennon and McCartney number ‘Hey Jude’ scored by Derek Broadbent before the final number of the day, the well-liked tune ‘My Way’ which when sung by Frank Sinatra with the English lyrics by Paul Anka, topped the American charts in 1969 with a very soulful interpretation of what was originally a French song written by Jacques Revaux and Gillies Thibault, and first released by Claude Francois in 1967. The band was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and gave an really good performance, they will be returning to the park on Sunday 8th September to play the final concert of the season with a completely different programme… Thanks for a great afternoon’s entertainment today… Excellent 😊 😊 😉

12/08/2019

SUNDAY 11th AUGUST - BLETCHINGTON SILVER BAND Appalling weather at the start of the afternoon resulted in huge disappointment for the band who despite having travelled a considerable distance had long looked forward to playing in Evesham. A terrific downpour early in the afternoon and frequent heavy showers regrettably served to keep the audience away. However, in the true and professional spirit of the ‘show must go on’ the band under the direction of MD Sheldon Barwick performed as contracted.
Opening with a terrific march ‘Prismatic Light’, amongst one of the most popular pieces written by Alan Fernie, composed especially for a youth concert but also used at the Trooping of the Colour ceremony 2 years ago, It was followed by the first soloist of the day Mikaela Barwick on Cornet with a fine rendition of ‘A Nightingale Sang’ a piece by Manning Sherwin written in the French village of Le Lavandou in 1939, with added lyrics by Eric Maschwitz, the song achieved UK fame in the 1940 West End review New Faces. Afterwards, came an anti-apartheid song ‘Gimme Hope Jo’anna’ composed and originally released by Eddy Grant in 1988, which reached number 7 in the UK charts. Then next, was a song said to be taken from a spiritual written by Sam Cooke with J W Alexander using lyrics from Psalm 46, The original song ‘Stand by Me Father’ recorded first by Johnnie Taylor and the Soul Stirrers evolved into the popular ‘Stand by Me’ performed by singer-songwriter Ben E King, since then there have been over 400 recorded versions of the piece. Following on, was a song from the Beatles 1967 album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely-Hearts Club Band composed by Paul McCartney at age 16, but actually first recorded in 1966 when Paul’s father turned 64. At this point the band played the famous Joe Loesser version of music from ‘The Ugly Duckling’ as sung by Danny Kaye in the film Hans Christian Anderson, named after the children’s writer whose classic tales have been published around the world in many languages. The work has seen many adaptions, one notably for voice and piano, by Sergei Prokofiev, the Russian composer in 1914. Throughout the piece the MD contributed a series of quite realistic Duck squawkes to add to the fun!!
Adding a more traditional touch was an acceptable Gordon Langford arrangement of ‘All Through the Night’, a Welsh song to a tune first collected by Edward Jones and published in his Musical and Poetical Relics of the Welsh Bards, having proven very popular with Welsh Male Voice Choirs, it’s become synonymous across the brass band fraternity.
At this point ‘Instant Concert’ was announced, a medley made up with a selection of short snippets from famous pieces of music. One of those arrangements most bands have in their library, which kind of fell out of favour almost 30 years ago. By bringing it back, MD Sheldon Barwick challenged everyone to see just how many well-known pieces they could spot. Following on was, ‘Imagine’, a lovely song performed by English musician John Lennon, that he also co-wrote with his wife Yoko Ono which was played before the band ended their first set with the increasingly celebrated Ken Smith arrangement of ‘Everything Stops for Tea’ a song originally written for the film Come out of the Pantry which starred Jack Buchanan and Fay Wray, most noted for starring as Ann Darrow in the 1933 film King Kong. The singer Long John Baldry re-issued the tune ‘Everything Stops for Tea’ in 1972 when it was jointly produced by Rod Stewart and Elton John. It can be found on U tube and is a great recording well worth listening to.

Sadly, at this juncture the persistent rain stopped play and despite the band having another set all in readiness, a decision was mutually reached to abandon the remainder of the concert owing to the weather conditions and absence of public support. The band played extremely well but were noticeably greatly disappointed that their first visit to Evesham had met with such adverse weather. ‘Bands in the Park’ officials, in addition to being drenched, were equally upset and frustrated that such a good performance had not been witnessed by a proper larger audience. It is hoped that the band will not be deterred from returning next year in better circumstances…. We are so sorry BLETCHINGTON SILVER BAND that your visit was marred, but thank you for an excellent performance 😊 😉 😉

05/08/2019

SUNDAY 4th AUGUST - GLOUCESTER EXCELSIOR BAND. Pleasant weather, a relaxed atmosphere, a super full band, all setting the scene for some enjoyable entertainment and today the band under the direction of MD Sam Mills certainly rose to the occasion. Playing ‘The National Anthem’ first the band then opened the concert with ‘Cardiff Castle’ by T J Powell 1897-1965 known as the “Welsh Sousa” who composed exclusively for brass Bands... Many of his marches were named after Welsh Castles. Following on it was, Alan Menken’s music for the 1991 animated musical romantic fantasy film ‘Beauty and the Beast’ which apparently was the 30th Disney Movie.

Next came, ‘By the time I get to Phoenix’ played beautifully by Dave Robinson on Cornet a lovely tune first recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1965, a massive ‘hit’ for Glen Campbell 1967 and more recently the smooth voiced Engelbert Humperdinck
‘Hey Jude’ written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership followed. The ballad evolved from "Hey Jules", a song McCartney wrote to comfort John Lennon's son, Julian, after Lennon had left his wife for the Japanese artist Yoko Ono. It was released on the Apple label gaining 9 weeks at No1 in the US and selling over 8 million copies The quite jolly ‘Zurich March’ by Elgar Howarth continued the set, a light-hearted tune which began its life as brass chamber, then encore music, at concerts given by the acclaimed Philip Jones Brass Ensemble of which Howarth was a founder member.
Then it was time for, ‘The girl from Zamora’ a featured duet at this point, performed very well, with Hannah Robertson on Cornet (who also plays the drums) and Sally Pillinger playing Flugel Horn, the piece is a Goff Richards composition arranged by Gavin Somerset about a city in the Castile and León region, North West Spain close to Portugal
‘Everything I do’ by Brian Adams and Michael Kamen for Robin Hood Prince of Thieves followed a song that was 6 weeks at No1 in the UK
‘The Floral Dance’ written in 1911 is music founded on an old Cornish air written by Katie Moss who was a professional violinist, pianist and concert singer. It was first released on record by the Australian Peter Dawson 1915 after he’d heard it in Cornwall a year or so earlier. Since then it’s been covered by various artistes on Top of the Pops, a ‘hit’ recording for the Brighouse and Rastrick band, and of course broadcaster, Terry Wogan plus being featured in the 1996 popular film Brassed Off. To end the first half it was a rather interesting medley ‘Greatest War Themes’ which included such ‘memorable tunes’ as ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’ : ‘Colonel Bogey’ ; ‘Dambusters’ ; ‘White Cliffs of Dover’ and ‘A Bridge too far’

Following the interval was ‘The Impressario’ Mozart's little-known one-act comic opera which is about the tribulations of an impresario trying to mount a performance of an opera and was written to compete with Antonio Salieri to provide music for the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II
Afterwards came, ‘Someone to Watch over Me’ by George and Ira Gershwin composed in 1926 one of the great love songs in American musical theatre, used by other famous names numerous times since.
‘Spanish Eyes’ composed by Bert Kämpfert took the form of a Soprano Cornet feature very nicely played by James Puttick. During this number the audience were entertained by a pair of quite young little girls who spontaneously danced to the music, they couldn’t have been more than 4/5 years old.
It was as long ago as 1941 when Bing Crosby recorded the song ‘Anniversary Waltz’ for Decca Records with Victor Young and His Orchestra and he’s since been followed by many others including Vera Lynn and Mantovani and the tune was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone today. At this point came an excellent rendition of ‘And all that Jazz’ from the musical Chicago and afterwards an Andrew Lloyd Webber song ‘No Matter What’ from Whistle Down the Wind which one recalls was a ‘hit’ for the group Boyzone. Next, it was time for ‘Basin St Blues’ by Sam Williams featuring Pete, Dan and Alec on Trombones which gave rise to some more delightful dancing from the two young ladies. Following that, it was the music of John Rutter, born in 1945, a favourite composer amongst sacred music lovers, who in 1978 wrote ‘A Gaelic Blessing’ (also known as Deep Peace) which became a hit in 2003 when a recording of it was made by Aled Jones
An epic depiction of the mediaeval Spanish Kingdom of Asturias, ‘The Kingdom of Asturias’ composed by Matt Kingston finished today’s programme a varied exciting and interesting piece of music that was intended to tell the story of Spanish music over the past hundreds of years.
‘Bands in the Park’ thank Gloucester Excelsior for delivering a good mixed package of concert music and hope the band will agree to return again next season Well done everyone 😊 😊 😊

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