A brass band arrangement of The Real Group’s best known song Piece: Gøta; Composer: Peder Karlsson; Arranger: Tina Kvamme. I may be courting controversy here by saying that the brass band transcription of this song is superior to the original version.
Another Brass Band Advent Calendar: 8. James Bond Collection
For your ears and eyes only, a fine Goff Richards medley Piece: James Bond Collection; Composer: Various, including John Barry and Carole Bayer-Sager; Arranger: Goff Richards. As well as thematic concerts for brass band players and musical directors, there is another given about the festive season: a James Bond film of some description. Since the…
Retail Comings and Goings in Tameside, December 2019: The Ashton Review of Shops
This month’s window on the shop windows Small Business Saturday; Christmas cheer across the borough; Plus all the usual retail movements from the Half Way House to The Dysarts Arms. A certain singer would have said at this point of the year “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” This year, due to a…
Another Brass Band Advent Calendar: 7. Blue Moon
Gordon Langford’s arrangement of Richard Rodgers’ iconic song Piece: Blue Moon; Composer: Richard Rodgers; Arranger: Gordon Langford. For the seventh door, we have chosen a classic song by Richard Rodgers, which has been covered by Elvis Presley, The Platters and The Marcels. It has been adopted by supporters of a certain Manchester club as their…
Another Brass Band Advent Calendar: 6. First Light
A modern classic by Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band’s in-house composer Piece: First Light; Composer and Arranger: Ben Hollings. For our sixth window, we have a fantastic solo performance for you. This time, Kirsty Abbotts’ performance of First Light.
Why This Year's General Election Is Our Most Critical One To Date
Why you MUST vote in the 2019 General Election In the last century, there has been two General Elections that have changed the course of British society forever. One of them led to the creation of our Welfare State – most notably our National Health Service. The other one led to the privatisation of our…
Another Brass Band Advent Calendar: 5. Light Cavalry
A classic Franz von Suppé overture and a classic performance Piece: Light Cavalry; Composer: Franz von Suppé, Arranger: John Greenwood J.A. Greenwood’s arrangement of Light Cavalry is a nailed-on classic that should be enjoyed by everyone. Whether you are eight months old or 89 years old, it is an irresistible piece.
Another Brass Band Advent Calendar: 4. The Wizard
One of George Allan’s best loved marches Piece: The Wizard; Composer: George Allan. After Knight Templar, The Wizard is one of George Allan’s best known marches. For any band on Whit Friday, it offers a most formidable challenge, hence its popularity with Championship Section and First Section bands as a contest march.
Another Brass Band Advent Calendar: 3. Force of Destiny
A classic overture by Shostakovich Piece: Force of Destiny; Composer: Giuseppe Verdi; Arranger: Frank Wright. In many a traditional concert setting, you cannot whack a good overture. Verdi’s Force of Destiny is a fine example. When played by one of the most exciting bands of the early 21st century, a winning combination.
Strata Brass: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, 01 December 2019
Superb concert with great solo performances and a Christmas set with a difference In the words of their mercurial Musical Director Jonathan Bates, it has been quite a while since Strata Brass Band ever had a concert at Boarshurst Band Club. The last time they performed there, they were probably known as Hoyland Town Band….
Another Brass Band Advent Calendar: 2. A Short Ride in a Brass Machine
A bespoke piece written for Briggus Piece: A Short Ride in a Brass Machine; Composer and Arranger: Andrew Baker. Our second piece is a lively number by Andrew Baker, which was written for Brighouse and Rastrick Band’s 140th year in 2006. Which, incredibly, was also the year when East of the M60 began.
Another Brass Band Advent Calendar: 1. The Crazy Brass Machine
“Welcome, my son, welcome to the machine…” Before we start, the fire doors are the way you came in, beside the trombone section, and the back door which leads to our village’s apology of a Christmas tree… Piece: The Crazy Brass Machine; Composer: Mark Taylor; Arranger: Sandy Smith. For this year’s Brass Band Advent Calendar…
