Jubilee & Prom Concert, Batley Town Hall
After a busy and very successful contest schedule, the band returned to Batley Town Hall on top form for a “Last Night of the Proms” concert. Fresh from their sixth place at the All England International Championships and third place at the Senior Cup (a result that sees the band make a much deserved return to the Grand Shield next year) the band took to the stage with a rousing rendition of Olympic Fanfare and Theme. MD Morgan Griffiths and his band delivered this Olympic anthem with the class and accuracy that left the audience in no doubt that they were in for an entertaining evening with one of the best brass-bands in Yorkshire.
Following an introduction from the MD, the packed hall was then treated to a fiery and exciting performance of the overture “The Corsair”. Intelligent direction from the MD combined with classy playing from the band saw some of the audience on their feet for the closing phrases. Sometimes the old pieces really are the best and this was delivered in the best style possible. Solo contributions from Principal Cornet, Jamie Smith and Solo Euphonium, Matthew Allsop were rightly recognised by the MD as they stood to receive the appreciation of the audience.
Jamie was hardly given time to draw breath as he was introduced as the first soloist of the evening. Described by the MD, Morgan Griffiths as one of the “outstanding young talents in the country”, Jamie chose to play the classic cornet solo “Napoli”. Not only was the performance clean, crisp and supremely accurate; it was made all the more impressive as the up-tempo performance was delivered entirely without music by a confident young soloist in complete command of his instrument.
Appropriately described by the MD as a “change of mood” the bands performance of “Comedy Tonight” showed just what a versatile group was on stage as they changed the mood instantly from traditional brass band fare to “show tunes” and then subsequently to Edward Elgar’s “The Wand of Youth”. Having just faced the test-piece “Elgar Variations” at the Senior Cup in Blackpool, the band showed mastery of the “Elgar Style” as they performed three movements from this work. The band captured the moods and scenes of the Elgar piece brilliantly as they portrayed the “Fairies and Giants” and “Serenade” sections of the work that Elgar himself penned at the spritely age of seven years old.
A band with quality in all sections, it was then the turn of the bands Solo Horn player, Helen Varley, to dazzle the audience with her sublime performance of “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz. Helen’s control, sound and exquisite style delighted the audience – some of whom were even moved to sing along to this classic tune from the movies! A top quality performance.
A man of many talents and a musician of undisputed quality, the MD, Morgan Griffiths proceeded to introduce one of his own arrangements to the audience. Praeludium featured all the soloists within the band and some very lofty playing from the bands Soprano Cornet player, David Nichols, who stood to acknowledge the applause from the audience, just before the band rounded the first half with a 'hymn-like' performance of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
Following a short interval, the band resumed where it left off with a high quality performance of “Crown Imperial”, celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a rendition that the queen herself would no doubt approve of.
A man of many talents and a musician of undisputed quality, the MD, Morgan Griffiths proceeded to introduce one of his own arrangements to the audience. Praeludium featured all the soloists within the band and some very lofty playing from the bands Soprano Cornet player, David Nichols, who stood to acknowledge the applause from the audience, just before the band rounded the first half with a 'hymn-like' performance of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
Following a short interval, the band resumed where it left off with a high quality performance of “Crown Imperial”, celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a rendition that the queen herself would no doubt approve of.
The quality of soloist evident in the first half was again repeated as the band’s flugel horn soloist, Catherine Owen, stood to perform the Irish solo “Magh Seola”. The poise and supreme tone of the performance brought ‘whoops’ of approval from the audience and the band alike. Top class playing without a doubt.
As the raffle was drawn by the bands librarian, Ted Griffiths, the MD reflected that as part of his role he does occasionally dig out long-forgotten classics and the next piece was certainly that. The “Westminster Waltz” was performed with the aplomb and style of a Vienna Orchestra, painting a picture of a high-society Victorian London evening soirée.
The enjoyment of the audience was no more apparent in the evening than when they spontaneiously began to sing along to the final soloist of the evening, the bands Solo Euphonium player, Matthew Allsop. His performance of “The Grandfathers Clock” was note perfect and a really dazzling display of the technical proficiency of the man that the MD described as “a player who has taken possession of his seat in the band” and is a “great asset" to Hammonds Saltaire. His performance of this technically demanding work demonstrated this in spades.
As the evening drew to a close there was just time for the band to round off the evening with a spotless performance of the traditional “last night of the proms” standards, Jerusalem, Fantasia on British Sea Songs and Pomp and Circumstance March Number One. The flag waving audience stood to applaud the performance of the band and were only satisfied following an encore of “Land of Hope and Glory”.
An evening of high quality playing, great music, outstandingly led by the Musical Director, Morgan Griffiths. A gentleman from the audience said "The band had a real quality sound and the precision and musicianship from the bands soloists was dazzling in the extreme - when can I see you next?"