Black Dyke Band gig

[vernon]

Went to my first brass band gig tonight at St George's Hall in Bradford. The Black Dyke Band were awesome from their opening number, Vidor's Toccata in F, through to their christmas carols at the end.

Several players had solo spots and their mastery of their instruments was breath taking (sic).

It was a great introduction to live brass band performances and the three collegues that I took with me are up for several more bradd band gigs in the Best of Leeds Brass Band schedule in the next three months.

Once fascinating fact that the conductor brought to the attention of the audience was the average monthly mileage done by band members to attend the twice weekly practice sessions and the performance at the end of the week is about six hundred miles. The band member living the furthest away from Queensbury where they practice comes from Cardiff!

That's dedication for you.

 

[slugonabike]

I love brass bands but we don't get too many of them here darn sarff. I'll have to find out what's coming up locally ...

 

[vernon]

I haven't seen them, but I've seen the Grimethorpe Colliery Band a few times and they were magnificent - they played on Roy Harper's classic "When an Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease".

My dad was a colliery band member (trumpet and French horn), though never on a par with these blokes. Respect!

I think that I'd crumble if I hear a brass band play Roy Harper's classic live.

I've had a 100 greatest hits compilation set of CDs that has a lot of championship division bands on it. Last night's live performance blew recordings into a cocked hat. My three colleagues and myself are instant converts to being brass band gig attendees. Collectively we knew a fair bit about the social history of brass bands and some of the technicalities about brass band competitions but we we totally unprepared for the immensity of 'the big numbers' and the fragilty of the quiet ones.

The soloists showcased their skills. I've never heard a euphonium play with harmonic overtones to accompany the fundamental notes. I didn't realise how low some of the instruments could reach on the scales.

A mind blowing experience.

 

[BearPear]

that must have been your lot queing for the NCP last night as we came home from Harry Potter (the Brass or Hairspray, one or t'other!)

Glad you enjoyed it - they are local legends even though the mill now hosts a new Tesco supermarket!

 

[vernon]

that must have been your lot queing for the NCP last night as we came home from Harry Potter (the Brass or Hairspray, one or t'other!)

Glad you enjoyed it - they are local legends even though the mill now hosts a new Tesco supermarket!

No NCP car park for me. Parked by Omars curry house - free after 18:00 :-) . Had a great curry. Wlaked over to St George's Hall. Had post gig drink over the road in The Queens walked back to the car park and back home in Leeds for 23:15.

It was a popular concert. All the seats in the stalls were filled and a fair number up in the balconies were also occupied.

It's not very often that I find myself to be at the younger end of the age range of the audience - last night was one of those occasions.

 

[Headgardener]

I love brass bands but we don't get too many of them here darn sarff. I'll have to find out what's coming up locally ...

There are a few down here Slug. New Forest Brass springs to mind, Hampshire Constabulary are also good and they are playing at my church in Feb. There are a couple down towards the Christchurch area as well.


<pops off to Google Brass Bands in the NF>