Burneside Brass Concert

We were delighted to welcome our friends from Burneside and a most delightful and enjoyable Sunday afternoon was spent by all.  Conducted by Dave Higson, the Musical Director, the programme was varied, the introductions by Jim (principal cornet) were informative, witty and amusing, and the playing by the talented individuals of the highest standard.

The programme opened with the rousing Sousa’s 1890 march The Liberty Bell (famous more recently as the Monty Python theme tune) which captured the audience’s attention and we proceeded through various arrangements of known (and less well known) melodies which featured different parts of the band: a hymn tune by Howard Cuthbert, showing the depth of sound of the band as a whole, Drummer’s Delight  to show the talents of Simon Carr on the drums, Calling Cornwall which was commissioned by the BBC as theme music for BBC Radio Cornwall, and Grandfather’s Clock played as a euphonium solo by Eleanor Knowles, for whom this was her final performance with the band as she is now moving on to a more demanding musical environment.  We wish her well.  A version of a Russian folk song Kalinka concluded the first half.

Features of the second half were Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik played on a Double EE flat bass tuba (who would have thought that Mozart could go so low or a tuba show such agility?) and the Henry Mancini Pink Panther theme played on the bass trombone in a most flamboyant (and expressive) manner.

The band amused and entertained us, as well as stressing the community-uniting nature of its work as it encourages young players and oversees their learning and development, aided by financing from the band’s own fund, raised from performances like ours.  We tapped our feet, donated generously to their funds (aiding the church as well) and look forward to their next visit.  Thank you, Burneside, and to our Social Committee for bringing them to us.

Our initial introduction to this band was when Eleanor and Dave visited St Paul’s four years ago asking if we could be included in their musical journey around the churches of Cumbria.  We have sent a cheque for £160.