Proms in the Paddock
by Jane Waldron
August 7 2007
On Saturday 4th August, LGB Brass and
Friary Guildford Band combined forces to present the 5th Proms in
the Paddock concert in Lewes, East Sussex.
The concert was again organised in
conjunction with Commercial Square Bonfire Society. CSBS volunteers
manned a bar (Harveys of course, and lots of Pimms!), provided teas
and coffees and ran a great BBQ. Fortunately, they also organised
Portaloos!
The audience started to gather around
6pm. Some brought their own food and drink, whilst others took
advantage of the CSBS provisions. LGB took to the purpose built
stage first of all, at around 7.30pm under the baton of Ian
Stewart. They played a 45 minute set, comprising of Westward Ho!,
Breezin Down Broadway, Share my Yoke (cornet soloist Simon
Emberley), Amazing Grace, Let's face the music, Soul Bossa Nova
(thanks Geoff !), Variations on Heykens Serenade and Kalinka. After
a short interval to change over the banners, and for Ian to go and
find his trombone, Friary Guildford followed on, under the direction
of Chris King. They played Battle of the Planets, Danses
Polovtsiennes, Sugar Blues (cornet soloist Richard Straker). Misty
(Horn soloist Nigel Stevens), My Fair Lady, Sweet Georgia Brown,
Bohemian Rhapsody and Toccata in Dmin.
At the end of the Friary programme, the
stage was reset for the bands to join together. 58 musicians in 11
ranks (including full kitchen sink department) filled the 10x12m
stage. The joint programme started under Chris King with The
Middy. There then followed a euph duet (Calon Lan). The two
soloists were James Emberley (LGB) and Chris Straker (FGB). James
was 2nd euph at LGB and has just completed his 2nd year at Salford.
During term-time, James plays Principal Euph with Bactiguard Wire
Brass, but still returns to his roots in the holidays. Similarly,
Chris has also just completed his 2nd year, studying at Cardiff.
Chris plays Solo Baritone with BTM, again returning to Friary during
the holidays. The two had met for a blow through just once. Well
matched for tone colour and dexterity, James and Chris played a
blinder and were extremely well received by the 2000 or so in the
audience.
Ian Stewart then returned to take over
the baton, and the bands played You'll never walk alone, excerpts
from Nigel Simmons arrangement of Fantasia on British Sea Songs and
Jerusalem. After that, Ian joined the trombone ranks (thankfully
from my point of view as I was the only 2nd trom!) and Chris took
the bands through Pomp & Circumstance 1 and of course, the 1812
Overture. It's at this point that Commercial Square really came
into their own, giving the audience a fantastic firework display,
normally only seen at the Lewes Bonfire Marches on the 5th of
November. The bands never get to see the fireworks, but from the
audience reaction, there was no doubt that the display was something
very special. When the audience eventually stopped clapping, the
evening was rounded off with - what else but Sussex by the Sea.
Special thanks must go to the LGB
members who helped with the staging set up and dismantling, in
particular David Pattenden (Managing Director of Westgate Joinery)
for transporting the chairs, boarding and percussion, Mick Horscroft,
Simon Emberley, Tony Line, Steve Gietzen, Gill Freret, Karen
Woolridge, Ruth Hayhurst, Paul Seaman, Alex Emberley, Richard Slyman
and Ian Hobbs.
If you fancy a good night out, with
brass bands and fireworks thrown in, look for next year's Proms in
the Paddock on the LGB website (www.lgbbrass.co.uk)
Pictures from this year's event can be found
here.
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