Celtic Brass Success
Sunday, 1 March 2009
With Celtic Brass, the first concert our 2009
Concert Series, Willoughby Band has continued its tradition of
enthralling and entertaining concerts, opening our golden
anniversary series with a lauded performance to a full house.
The band performed an enchanting collection of Scottish and Irish
melodies, accompanied by a traditional bag-piper and a selection of
gaelic poetry. As well as traditional melodies, the band presented
a number of arrangements by well known composers such as Phillip
Sparke and Darrol Barry, and featured both the principal cornet,
Brian McGuinness, and the solo Euphonist Jeff Ma.
A highlight of the concert was a foot-tapping rendition of the
Irish Washerwoman, performed by the trombone section of Andrew
Sambell, John Butterworth and Paul Mason, aka 'Mace', and joined by
our musical director, Andrew Snell! The quartet were generous
enough to include the band in their performance, as it is scored
for trombone quartet and 'optional brass band'.
Willoughby followed up their successful concert with a critically
acclaimed performace at the Ern Keller Memorial Band of the Year
Contest on the following day.
