So the Christmas dust has settled and everybody’s shared their “New year, New me” sentiments. We have all quickly sunk back in to reality. As I was reading through some of my friends New Years resolutions I thought perhaps I could make one, and so I set about doing just that. It directly affects my university studies and my journey to becoming a published composer. I am 6 years in to my current job and not a day goes by where I am able to convince myself of a positive “can do” attitude at my current job. Not that I let it affect my work performance. I lost that ability well over four years ago. I am in a position to put proceedings in to place in order to progress towards my real passion: Music.
The Journey of 1000 Miles, begins with one step
Lao Tzu
As for my ambitions this year. My indefatigable advance towards being a composer is in its first baby steps. I have devised the first of, what I intend to be, a series of workshops. I am both extremely excited but slightly apprehensive about this workshop. It is the first time I have done anything like this. However I am in great company thanks to the musicians of Wadhurst Brass Band. In these workshops my band will be rehearsing my own scores. A good friend of mine and of the bands, Merlin Beedell, will be recording the concert at the end of the day. The recording will then be sent to every Brass Band publisher that I am aware of. As of yet all I can do is ask the publishers opinions and HOPE that they will give me some productive feedback. I do not anticipate publishing as these are only my very first compositions. That does not mean I am not proud of them.
Drawing up a composition map for “The Olympus Suite”
This years Music programme is as follows:
Funk Avenue,
Moon Chasers
The Olympus Suite
The first workshop is taking place on Saturday 9th February 2019. The workshop starts hopefully at 11am and will run through to 8pm. There will be sectionals until 5:30pm where there will be a full rehearsal. The rehearsal will last until 6:30pm where there will then be half an hour for a quick pint. The performance will commence at 7pm.
It was 100 years ago when the guns fell silent on the western front. 100 years later a small community in the rural village in Sussex are one of hundreds of communities pulling together to remember this historical milestone.
My band – Wadhurst Brass Band had a phenomenally busy weekend. We had a concert on Saturday evening followed by a church service, a rehearsal and then another concert on Sunday evening. All performances rather individual to each other. One particular moment of the weekend highlighted the entire meaning of the sacrifice that whole generation of Men laid their lives down for.
On Saturday night we played two twenty minute sets. The choir did a 20 minute set in the middle of our sets. I chose to keep the first set serious and relevant. It included “Hymn to the Fallen”, “In Flanders Fields” written by Gavin Somerset and Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4. Our second set started with “Colonel Bogey”, followed by Karl Jenkins’ Lament from Stabat Mater. We finished our concert with a rousing performance of Peter Graham’s fifth movement from his “Cry of the Celts” – a very lively and meaty take on lord of the dance.
The acoustic of the church was immense. It’s as if it was made for a full 27 piece brass band. The band kept tight and true to the conductor and the performance clicked. Four notes call the piece to it’s end, before I had even turned around to the audience – two lovely ladies had risen to their feet, shortly followed by two more, then small pockets of people rose to their feet, and, before we knew it, the entire church was afoot with cheer and glee. The band had done it. Surely so, they deserved that standing ovation.
Then came Sunday. 100 years of celebration of armistice. We had a beautiful memorial service in the morning and it followed in the evening – when we participated in our biggest local project to date.
Wadhurst Over the Top, was a stirring concert that included members of both the Am Dram society and the children’s dramatics society. It included one of our local choirs “Wadhurst Aloud” and the Wadhurst Ukulele Group, as well as some singing acts. The concert started set in 1914 and ventured through the recruiting process, laughter behind the lines, loss and suffering and finally the victory and celebration. The bands two main contributions where to play “Aubers Ridge” which was a piece commissioned by the band – written by Stuart Fifield. It commemorates the battle of Aubers Ridge where most of our Wadhurst Men lost their lives. It was performed well and made a fitting tribute – but it wasn’t until the 2nd half where I experienced possibly the most poignant moment of my life in music to date.
2 hours later, the concert is approaching its grand finale. The war has ended and a young lad came in waving a news paper article simply reading “Peace at Last”. This was the point the Band finished the show with a hair-raising rendition of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance No. 4.
I had my fantastic band directly in front of me, the entire cast of the concert on the stage perched above the band, The choir where stretched half way down the hall on both sides of the hall. We had just about got through the tricky bit at the start. The balance was perfect. The band, breaching the edge of their endurance, skillfully neglected to show a single sign of fatigue. I cued the band to start the molto rit in the coda before the final reprise of the theme of “Land of hope and Glory.” Each quaver perfectly elongated against the previous, the band followed flawlessly. As I looked round to make sure all 80 participants of the concert where ready – suddenly, it hit me.
If it was not for that generation of heroes, The silent generation , I would never have had the opportunity to stand in front of all these people 100 years later and conduct this powerful and nationalistic music. Never before had I ever felt so indebted to anyone in my life. With the pride in my heart I thought “this is for all of you guys who made the ultimate sacrifice” I turned to the audience beating time for all to see and I sung like I had never sung before. Something happened in that moment, I looked around to see all the smiling faces, joyfully singing with the cast, the band, the choir and I. The pure emotion was bursting through my face and everyone was in it together. I reiterate, This is only possible because of the sacrifices that those millions of men, women and animals made.
On behalf of every generation that has lived since that horrific time. Thank you brave warriors. Thank you that we can continue to have moments of incredible fellowship and fortitude. This whole experience taught me the true power of music – because, a village (somewhat) divided by political views and torn between traditionalism and economical development – even if for a brief moment of time, became one idealism. We were all there to celebrate, morn, laugh and cry. It’s thanks to music (and, of course, drama) – that each of us experienced all of these emotions together. It was raw, authentic emotion! and that, to me, is the power of the creative arts.
It was 100 years ago when the guns fell silent on the western front. 100 years later a small community in the rural village in Sussex are one of hundreds of communities pulling together to remember this historical milestone.
My band – Wadhurst Brass Band had a phenomenally busy weekend. We had a concert on Saturday evening followed by a church service, a rehearsal and then another concert on Sunday evening. All performances rather individual to each other. One particular moment of the weekend highlighted the entire meaning of the sacrifice that whole generation of Men laid their lives down for.
On Saturday night we played two twenty minute sets. The choir did a 20 minute set in the middle of our sets. I chose to keep the first set serious and relevant. It included “Hymn to the Fallen”, “In Flanders Fields” written by Gavin Somerset and Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4. Our second set started with “Colonel Bogey”, followed by Karl Jenkins’ Lament from Stabat Mater. We finished our concert with a rousing performance of Peter Graham’s fifth movement from his “Cry of the Celts” – a very lively and meaty take on lord of the dance.
The acoustic of the church was immense. It’s as if it was made for a full 27 piece brass band. The band kept tight and true to the conductor and the performance clicked. Four notes call the piece to it’s end, before I had even turned around to the audience – two lovely ladies had risen to their feet, shortly followed by two more, then small pockets of people rose to their feet, and, before we knew it, the entire church was afoot with cheer and glee. The band had done it. Surely so, they deserved that standing ovation.
Then came Sunday. 100 years of celebration of armistice. We had a beautiful memorial service in the morning and it followed in the evening – when we participated in our biggest local project to date.
Wadhurst Over the Top, was a stirring concert that included members of both the Am Dram society and the children’s dramatics society. It included one of our local choirs “Wadhurst Aloud” and the Wadhurst Ukulele Group, as well as some singing acts. The concert started set in 1914 and ventured through the recruiting process, laughter behind the lines, loss and suffering and finally the victory and celebration. The bands two main contributions where to play “Aubers Ridge” which was a piece commissioned by the band – written by Stuart Fifield. It commemorates the battle of Aubers Ridge where most of our Wadhurst Men lost their lives. It was performed well and made a fitting tribute – but it wasn’t until the 2nd half where I experienced possibly the most poignant moment of my life in music to date.
2 hours later, the concert is approaching its grand finale. The war has ended and a young lad came in waving a news paper article simply reading “Peace at Last”. This was the point the Band finished the show with a hair-raising rendition of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance No. 4.
I had my fantastic band directly in front of me, the entire cast of the concert on the stage perched above the band, The choir where stretched half way down the hall on both sides of the hall. We had just about got through the tricky bit at the start. The balance was perfect. The band, breaching the edge of their endurance, skillfully neglected to show a single sign of fatigue. I cued the band to start the molto rit in the coda before the final reprise of the theme of “Land of hope and Glory.” Each quaver perfectly elongated against the previous, the band followed flawlessly. As I looked round to make sure all 80 participants of the concert where ready – suddenly, it hit me.
If it was not for that generation of heroes, The silent generation , I would never have had the opportunity to stand in front of all these people 100 years later and conduct this powerful and nationalistic music. Never before had I ever felt so indebted to anyone in my life. With the pride in my heart I thought “this is for all of you guys who made the ultimate sacrifice” I turned to the audience beating time for all to see and I sung like I had never sung before. Something happened in that moment, I looked around to see all the smiling faces, joyfully singing with the cast, the band, the choir and I. The pure emotion was bursting through my face and everyone was in it together. I reiterate, This is only possible because of the sacrifices that those millions of men, women and animals made.
On behalf of every generation that has lived since that horrific time. Thank you brave warriors. Thank you that we can continue to have moments of incredible fellowship and fortitude. This whole experience taught me the true power of music – because, a village (somewhat) divided by political views and torn between traditionalism and economical development – even if for a brief moment of time, became one idealism. We were all there to celebrate, morn, laugh and cry. It’s thanks to music (and, of course, drama) – that each of us experienced all of these emotions together. It was raw, authentic emotion! and that, to me, is the power of the creative arts.
It feels like a life time ago now. On the week beginning the 30th July – I travelled straight up to Swansea on return from my band Tour in Brugges. I arrived half 1 in the morning ready for an 8 O’ clock start.
The course is ran by professor Nicholas Childs, Musical Director of the Black Dyke Mills Band. The tutors are from the top brass bands – a mixture of Cory and Black Dyke. I was under the expert tuition of Dr. Brett Baker who is the acclaimed best trombonist in the Brass Band world. Delegates come to Swansea from about 15 different countries all of them well distinguished in their trade. The composer in residence was Paul Lovett-Cooper, the man who’s composition “vitae aeturnum” inspired me to pick up my degree.
We are split in to two bands, Prestige and Sovereign. Brett decided that It would be a good idea for me to sit on first chair alongside my girlfriend, A decision he may well have regretted after the first day! However, sitting alongside Lauren meant that we could work very well as a section. Sure enough, it worked! As musicians we could read each other like books.
On the Wednesday we had a small entertainment contest, we are split in to 3 bands and deliver a 20 minute programme which is then adjudicated by two of the course tutors. My band the “Brighouse Blowers” played four pieces, the first of which was a Norwegian folk piece called “Pseudo Yoke” the second was an original composition of mine called “Funk Avenue” the third was “Baggy Trousers” and the fourth was a beautiful melody full of reflection. I just can’t remember the name! The band played well but we didn’t have time to perfect the programme as a result my piece sounded a bit messy but it was covered by the relentless beating of the percussion! I will try and upload a video score of funk avenue for you.
Thursday – rehearsals are in full swing for the Friday evening concert, I had a one to one lesson with Brett who helped me with my tone on the trombone. We also had a conducting session with the trombone sections of the combined bands. Where we would stand in front of a semi circle of 16 trombones, it felt like being put in front of the firing squad at dawn! But they are such a nice group of people from all backgrounds. We all head to Verdi’s ice cream and Italian Pizzaria in the afternoon before heading back to our evening site reading class.
Friday is the day of the concert so we have chance to Q and A with the tutors in the morning, however I had caught fire with a composition I started last year so I missed the Q and As to work on my Olympus suite. In the afternoon we had rehearsal for the big gig both bands were in fine voice and so after rehearsal we had some food and freshened up ready for the concert.
The concert went incredibly, my band performed works from Alan Fernie, Hans Zimmer and of course Paul Lovett-Cooper. We then left the stage for the other band to take the next half before all 120 delegates joined together for our massed band set which featured the liberty Bell, a Goff Richards arrangement of Crimond and a truly remarkable rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “March Slave” the concert was received well and there wasn’t a single face without a smile afterwards. After the concert is the party of the year, I don’t need to say the events that unfolded that night other then waking up with pink glittery hair, fully dressed sporting my finest pattern on pattern Hawaiian clothing in my girlfriends room who didn’t look best pleased!
It was a fantastic week in which I learned so much that I can take back to my own band in Wadhurst to teach them and hopefully further the bands cause. We have a busy schedule ahead Eastbourne Bandstand, a wedding, the start of the poppy appeal launch and then in November of course the 100 years anniversary of the ending of the vulgar “great war” hopefully, with what I learned in Swansea – we can give that poor generation of soldiers an anniversary fit for heros!
It’s been a while since my last post! Not through lack of effort I can assure you!
My band had been busy practicing and preparing their continental programme which consisted of a vast heterogenous of pieces from folk, soundtracks, jazz and blessings through to Celtic River dance + many more!
We started the Thursday at 07:00 where the coach departed from our practice room in Wadhurst. It was from there we would drive to Dover catch a ferry to Calais and continue through to beautiful Bruges. The sun was gleaming as it reflected off of the stunning but imposing architecture of Bruges’ industrial era. We had time for a quick Belgian beverage and a settle down before a very demanding but successful rehearsal in the hotel function room. This then left the evening free for the band to explore the area.
On the Friday morning the band ate its breakfast before continuing to explore this magnificent town. We had to meet at the coach for early afternoon. We all met at the coach and made our way to the coastal town of “Ostend” where we played in a Bandstand in a square surrounded by a variety of cafes and eateries. Even though half the band were a little “worse for wear” following the previous evenings endeavours we did not let this stop us giving our best. Even when the Mercury struck 34 C the band played on. We played our programme through – before one of our percussionists must have summoned the Lord of Thunder in the form of a very dramatic cymbal roll. There was a complete deluge! You could hazard a guess as to what piece it was. It was Pirates of the Carribbean, how delightfully apt!
The majority of our audience were passers by but there was one piece, our encore. Which captivated a few people to stop for a brief second in their busy lives to appreciate the hard work of the band. This is where I big that amazing group of musicians up:
The rain had stopped, the patio was bone dry in minutes. The band had played extremely well for an hour and a half. They were hot, bothered and probably had their chops falling off of their faces. However, this stunning piece of music “The Irish Blessing” boasts a stunning crescendo building over 12 bars from nothing to everything. And so the band grew, every beat increased the drama and tension and sincerity. The band kept giving and giving and then when I thought they had built up to their best, suddenly, the drastic sound of a tam tam pushed through and called the band to reach new heights I had never heard before from them.
Then the release. It was just two tenuto crochets to start the end of the phrase but articulated so delicately but brilliantly. The sound was rousing, chills shot up my spine as the band completely diminuendo into the silent beautiful last Blessing of the piece: “and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand”
Wadhurst Brass Band fly the flag of Sussex from the Bandstand in Oostend Market Sq.
I hope to upload a video shortly so we can re-live that moment in every detail! The trip continued, we spent a few hours at the beach before all heading back to Bruges.
Our next concert was on Saturday. The coach left after breakfast for the town of Brussels. I’m not going to lie, I was nervous about this one, given the current political relationships of our two nations. What would they think of us? Would any audience even bother turning up for a British Brass Band? . It didn’t look promising at first, until we started playing. Slowly they filtered towards the bandstand, intrigued by what they were hearing. Before we knew it all the benches in front of the Bandstand where full. The programme was the same as the day before and the people of Belgium loved it. I even saw a group of young lads 17 or 18 years old who said they enjoyed the performance very much. The band then had some time to explore Brussels Grand Plaatz before all having a meal in the main square and heading back to Bruges.
Tours are so important for team cohesion, you all become a family and everyone gets a little bit closer – until we go back to our busy working lives. I fear that if music is removed from the curriculum. Experiences like this may fizzle out and become unattainable to future generations. Teamwork teaches skills like compassion, acceptance working with each others strengths and weaknesses. Banding is team work at its most fundamental level and is such a good way in to learning the skills needed. Please think about this when you hear about music being struck off music is good for the soul it can and may carry you through some of your hardest days as I know it has mine.
David Healy-Richards Music 