June 26: St. David's Brass in Concert, North Kirk, Penicuik
Review
Saturday the 26th of June saw the recently
crowned Scottish 3rd Section Champions, St.Davids Brass perform a
concert in the North Kirk, Penicuik. The concert opened in fine style
with the band thrilling the crowd with Joe Zawinal's "Birdland"
which featured the band rising to its feet for passages and culminated
with Principal Cornet Stuart Dickson playing the Jazz Trumpet solo
with style. The next item was a move back toward the more traditional
brass band repertoire as the band tackled "The Land Of The Mountain
And The Flood" by Hamish MacCunn. Next saw the first solo of
the evening as Stuart Dickson played Hoaggy Carmichael's "Georgia
On My Mind". Stuart showed real class and style in tackling this
work and really did give the audience something to cheer for. There
was then a change of mood from the frenzied opening numbers with the
band playing "Little Serenade" by Ernest Tomlinson and this
gave the players a chance to show they can shine in any style required.
Moving to the pen of Bizet the band played Keith Wilkinsons arrangement
of "Galop from Jeax d'Enfants" before moving to the second
solo performance of the evening where the band's Second Trombone player
Helen Higginson performed "Everytime We Say Goodbye" arranged
by Alan Fernie. This was a classy performance of a deceptively tricky
solo which the crowd warmed to. The first half was brought to a thrilling
climax with some wonderful playing in Saint-Seans' "French Military
March" arranged by Walter Hardgreaves.
The Second half got off to a flying start with John Williams' "Olympic
Fanfare And Theme" which featured the bands full cornet and trombone
sections standing behind the rest of the ensemble, giving a real sense
of excitement and grandeur. The band chose to stay with the music
of John Williams for its next item, this time it was to use one of
his many film scores with "Harry Potter And The Philosopher's
Stone" being the choice. This piece proved to be a real crowd
favourite with both young and old enjoying some fine playing. Katherine
Trotter was the next featured soloist giving a lovely rendition of
"I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables before the band
turned back to the film industry for "Great Western Themes"
by Darrol Barry. The crowd were then treated to some more lyrical
playing in the band next two items, "Someone To Watch Over Me"
and "Lil' Darlin" which again featured some superb solo
playing from Stuart Dickson before the bands rousing finale of "Jurrasic
Park" by John Williams. After the applause had passed the band
thrilled the audience with an encore. "Stingray" was the
chosen item and it was played with the now famous uncomprimising full
blooded sound that the band has become renowned for.
A first class evening was enjoyed by all present where the audience
were treated to playing of the highest order throughout by this young
and exciting Brass Band. St.Davids Brass now move on to the British
Brass Band Finals to be held in Harrogate in September where they
will represent Scotland in the 3rd Section.
Programme
First Half
Birdland (Joe Zawinal) arr Sandy Smith
The Land Of The Mountain And The Flood (Hamish MacCunn)
Georgia On My Mind (Cornet Soloist Stuart Dickson) (H. Carmichael
& S. Gorrell) arr Alan Morrison
Little Serenade (Ernerst Tomlinson)
Galop From Jeax d'Enfants (Bizet)
Every Time We Say Goodbye (Trombone Soloist Helen Higginson)(C.Porter)
arr Alan Fernie
French Military March (Saint-Seans)
Second Half
Olympic Fanfare And Theme (J. Williams)
Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone (J. Williams)
I Dreamed A Dream (Schonberg)
Great Western Themes (D. Barry)
Someone To Wactch Over Me (G. Gershwin) arr Alan Fernie
L'il Darlin (N. Hefti)
Jurassic Park (J. Williams)