Finally!

A win! 3 points for Crewe Alex and we're off the bottom of the table with a princely 5 points.

Thank God for Blackpool!

Gala!

Last Wednesday my phone buzzed with a text from Amy; 'Do you want to go to the Symphony Hall on Sunday to watch a concert with Fodens, Cory and Black Dyke?' My reply was about affirmative as the response to the age old question regarding bears toiletry habits in the woods.



So on Sunday afternoon we took our seats (Upper Circle, Row D, Seats 10-11) and waited to be entertained. We were. Royally.

Fodens opened up. I have to admit their programme didn't overly grab me, however they were in good form, with their second item 'The Unanswered Question,' although slightly bizarre, being the highlight. The pianissimo playing in this piece was the best I have ever heard, being very orchestral which, under the baton of the masterful Allan Withington, should not have been a surprise.

Next up was the band from the Rhonda, Cory. They romped through Malaguena to open, instantly grabbing the audience by the scruff of the neck before bringing the house down with the old 'pot boiler' Poet and Peasant overture, which featured the delightful tone of principal horn Ailsa Russell. Steve Stewart wowed in High Fidelity before more excellent controlled playing followed in O Magnum Mysterium. Chris Thomas showcased technique to die for in the finale from the Bourgeois Trombone Concerto and they finished off with their inspirational MD, Philip Harper's, own arrangement of Finale from Act 1 of Tosca.

The final 'solo band' performance was from Black Dyke. Lets Face the Music and Dance and the Marriage of Figaro overture led to a sumptuous solo performance from world renowned baritone star, Katrina Marzella. This was perhaps the highlight of the concert for me; I've been fortunate to work with Katrina through Lions and it was great to hear her 'live' in Be My Love. They finished with the brilliant Shine as the Light before the massed bands spectacular featuring Dyke and Cory took place.



Just the three items were programmed, a march by Harry Mortimer, Nimrod and Marche Slav, but the audience demanded more, which came in the shape of William Tell, a performance that was faster than a robbers dog!

All in all, what an excellent afternoon. Three of the world's top bands, one of the worlds best concert halls, and all for £17.50. I spent all Monday day morning walking around conducting the music I was playing in my head!!!

Oiling the Wheel...

...before jumping back on it again tomorrow.

It's been an enjoyable six weeks holiday though, with the last two weeks, spent with Amy, being particularly special. We had a week in gloriously sunny Malta before spending the last week on a 'stay-cation,' with days out in the Cheshire countryside, Porthmadog, Attingham Park and Cheshire Oaks.

Like I said, Malta was unbelievably hot. The sun shone every single day, with the temperature never below 31! For a redhead like me, that's quite something and resulted in me clinging to the shade whenever possible. Still, we had a great time... and even found a couple of Costa outlets, to help us with our 'tea and cake' addiction! A few pictures can be found below.

 

 

 

One very unexpected bonus of the week was a dollop of inspiration that struck on the Monday. Long time readers of this blog will know I've had a long held ambition to write a book. Well, I finally had an idea for it whilst on holiday!

 

 

Some of you may recall in an earlier post I mentioned that the Lions Youth Brass organisation was celebrating it's 25th anniversary in 2015. We had a big 'reunion' event in July and it was memories of this that brought about this idea... a write up of the history of Lions Youth Brass. I spent the three hour flight back to the UK busily jotting down ideas whilst, encouraged by Amy, I've also made some time over the past few days putting together various appendices!

 

I've said it before, but it really is funny where inspiration can come from!

A Day at Downton

Ok, well really it was a day at Highclere Castle, the set of Downton Abbey. On Sunday, as a birthday present (yes, my birthday is in February) from Amy, we went to Highclere.

Wow, what a place it is. Although it was a long day involving plenty of car travel it was well worth it. Although, sadly, you can't take pictures inside the castle, but here are a couple of pictures of the day.



In the Summer Time...

So, the Summer hols are finally here and it promises to be a good few weeks... if I ever get off this end-of-term-itus I've got!

However, that aside there is lots to look forward to; a trip to Downton Abbey on Sunday (with SWMBO and her family), a few days out at the cricket (weather permitting, I hope!), the start of the football season, a week in Malta and much, much more.

Avid readers of my blog (there must be one out there) will recall that the summer hols means this blog is a year old. I launched it with the idea of just 'getting writing' as I enjoy doing just that. I also mentioned that I wanted to write a piece of music per week. Well, this summer holiday has seen me arrange two items already; Skyfall and Let Me Entertain You, for the fabulous Beginner Band of the Lions Youth Brass organisation. There is also the aim of writing a few original items too as my self-publishing website is coming together and is nearly completion. I'm really pleased about this and hope to be able to launch it later this summer.

So, lots to do, and hopefully lots to write about.

Almost there!

Just two more days to go and then it's the summer holidays and, finally, a chance to get some blogging done!

Nearly there!

Come and Play!

Today has been inspirational.

There are occasional perks to my job and today was one of them. I got to travel to the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, to listen to the Halle Orchestra perform in their annual 'Come and Play with the Halle' concert that includes many eager primary school pupils from Cheshire East who have partaken in the Love Music Trusts' Wider Opportunities scheme.



I've been once before but today was (excuse the pun) blown away. The orchestra were truly magnificent, from the opening bars of the Star Wars Theme to the delicacy of Clair de Lune. It was breath-taking playing all the way through.

So why was it inspirational? Well, I'm certainly a 'lapsed' trombonist who has had no fixed abode (in terms of playing in a band) for about 5 years now. I've enjoyed the time off and, during that time, have never once felt the urge to get back playing with a group. However, as the orchestra filled the hall with menace during Battle of the Fates I actually started to feel a bit of the 'why don't I start up again?' question nagging away at me.

There are a few issues here. Firstly, I'm five years out of practise. Secondly, I wouldn't know whether to look at a brass band, wind band or orchestra (an orchestra being something I'd never considered until today!) and thirdly, would I have the time? However, this Sunday I am playing in a concert for the first time in five years as I'm part of the Reunion Band that is celebrating 25 years of Lions Youth Brass. With a day long rehearsal before the concert that should sort my lip out. I guess I'll see how that goes and then perhaps take it from there.

But the closing words today belong to the Halle. Wow. If that didn't inspire the hundreds of youngsters watching it certainly inspired me. I've already booked tickets for Amy and myself to go back in October to watch them play a concert of John Williams items!