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"1/2 Brassed Off" Concert Review On Saturday 28 November I attended, as I do every year now, the Feilding Brass end of year concert in the Feilding Civic Centre Concert Chamber. I first played in a brass band when I was thirteen and in five different bands over the years since so I knew what I expected to hear and enjoy - a traditional brass band concert containing a mixture of old favourites and modern arrangements. But what I experienced was different - very different. To begin with, the title "1/2 Brassed Off". I had seen and enjoyed the movie "Brassed Off" about a band of miners in the north of England faced with the closure of their band due to the closure of the pit upon which their income depended. So Feilding Brass was going to play music from the movie but more than that, they were going to tell the story of the miners' band as well. This would take all the first half of the concert hence the title "1/2 Brassed Off."
There was a narrator, Ben Ellery, who did a fine job. His younger brother, Nicholas, was in charge of a series of over 500 'stills' from the movie shown on a very large screen as the narrator proceeded and Feilding Brass played nine items from the movie. The most memorable was when in the movie, the conductor, played by Pete Postlethwaite, was ill in hospital, his band assembled in the grounds outside and played Danny Boy. An emotional episode. With house and stage lights off, Feilding Brass donned miner's helmets each with a miner's lamp attached and played their own version of the well known tune.
Other memorable pieces from the first half included the Concerto De Aranjuez flugel horn solo, played magnificently by Robbie Cargill and the finale from the William Tell Overture as played by the movie band when winning the National Championship. The second half was more traditional but no less enjoyable. It included items by gifted guest vocal soloist Fran Barber, another smooth flugel solo by Robbie Cargill during Barrie Gott's Lightwalk and a delightful dance routine from young dancers Michael and Chloe Ashdown who danced to popular New York, New York. A Feilding Brass concert without an item from Steve Mackley is almost unthinkable and we were not disappointed. Along Came Steve - sorry, Along Came Jones was vintage Mackley as he sung all the parts and acted out the story all at the same time. Other items familiar to many were The Magnificent Seven, Yellow Submarine (Feilding Brass style) and Jesus Christ Superstar suite.
A sad note was the announcement that Peter Ellery, the musical director of the band for the last 29 years, is contemplating retirement from that position next year. This concert is a credit to all band members, officials, sponsors and particularly Peter Ellery. Thanks to you all for a most enjoyable evening. Reviewed by Douglas Carian Central District Band Contest 2009 Section 1 Winners
Section 2 Winners
Section 3 Winners
Full results:
A new twist for this year's brass band fest "We are really driving for bands to play for the audiences and themselves, rather than some obscure adjudicator in a tent at the end of the room." Peter Ellery - conductor If there's one thing New Zealand's longest-serving musical director knows, it's that competition isn't everything. Melodious maestro Peter Ellery has been conducting the Feilding brass band since 1982, when he was a spritely lad of just 22. Now he's 26 years older, which makes him the longest-serving conductor for any one band in the country. A lot has changed since the 80s, but the value of good music is not one of them and 16 years ago, Mr Ellery decided there wasn't enough of this around. Too many brass bands were trying to outsmart each other at competitions, with music becoming more experimental and audience appeal taking a dive. So the Feilding Festival of brass was born, as a way of musicians to focus on playing quality compositions for pure entertainment. This year's festival, held at Feilding's civic centre tomorrow, has attracted 14 bands from around the Manawatu to Porirua and Havelock North. The emphasis is not on winning, with an adjudicator giving gold, silver and bronze awards to each individual band depending on their playing quality. There are also rewards for most-entertaining programme and soloist. "We are really driving for bands to play for the audiences and themselves, rather than some obscure adjudicator in a tent at the end of the room." Mr Ellery says. "It's music that people might not want to hear, and young people wouldn't want to get involved." The programme is more youth-oriented in the morning, with kids from ages 10 and up doing some "amazing things," Mr Ellery says. "Some of them, they get up there and run the whole show themselves." The above article, by Michelle Duff, appeared in the Manawatu Standard on Friday, June 12, 2009 Musical treats on at the Civic Centre A feast for the ears is on offer this weekend at the Feilding Civic Centre. Thirteen brass bands from around the lower North Island are gathering for Feilding's 16th Festival of Bands on Sunday. President of Feilding Brass, Richard Kirby said the bands choose their own music and aim for a programme that is varied, polished and most importantly, entertaining. "Soloists and vocals are a feature, with a wide range of style and instrumentation. "As in previous years we have the regulars playing, such as the Manawatu Concert Band, Huntley School Jazz Band, Concord Symphonic Band, made up of students from Lindisfarne College and Hastings Girls' College, Hastings Citizens Band and Bay City's Symphonic Band." Feilding Brass will take up the final time slot at 4pm. Throughout the day, Ken Dye, a guest judge from Notre Dame University in the United States, will be adjudicating the bands in search of the best soloists and the most entertaining performers. Dr Dye is a graduate of the University of Houston, where he holds a Doctorate in Music Education and a Master's in Business Administration. He also holds a Master of Arts in Music from California State University and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California. "Dr Dye is a man of extreme music ability and we are very proud to have him at the festival," Mr Kirby said. The participating bands are keen for the civic centre to be filled with an appreciative audience. "All musicians love an audience," said Feilding Brass Band leader Peter Ellery. Admission prices are $5 for adults and $1 for children. The programme runs from 9.30 to 4.30. The above article, by Sandra Crosbie, appeared in the Feilding Herald on Friday, June 12, 2009
 Feilding Brass takes to the stage at the Hawkes Bay Festival of Bands |
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