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End of Year Concert Feilding Brass held its end of year concert on Saturday 25th of November, playing to a large crowd who thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Congratulations are to be made to solo cornet Shane Hatcher who performed El Cumbanchero, his first solo with the band. This is a fast and demanding solo item, and Shane's playing was filled with the drive and panache that the piece required. The second 'solo' item for the night, Rocking Trombones, was placed early in the second half and featured (not surprisingly) the Trombone section. The trombones found a nice groove together and their relaxed manner contrasted well with the stricter style from the band. Following the trombones, the band performed the musical director's favourite Beatles number, Penny Lane. This reviewer, the Feilding Brass soprano cornet player, was very pleased with his rendition of the fast and high trumpet solo, and the overall performance by the band expressed the comfortable style of the original. The guest artists for the evening were a four-piece jazz combo called 'Square Jazz'. This is a group of young teenagers comprised of two saxophonists, a keyboard player and a drummer. Their performance was outstanding, in which they delivered some light jazz classics with confidence and a rapport well beyond the experience their ages would suggest. No Feilding Brass end-of-year concert would be complete without some sort of multimedia experience, and this year that came at the expense of Australia. During the first two minutes of Waltzing Matilda the band was accompanied by scenes that Tourism Australia would have been proud of. Thereafter the mocking began, with the band donning handkerchiefs and tears, while a quartet solemnly played the theme. Backing up this emotional display from the band was a series of images of poignant Australian losses, complete with the losing margin; from their recent oh-so-close finals loss at the FIFA World Cup, back to the sinking of One Australia in 1995. Finally, we must mention the star of the show, vocalist Carissa Davies. In the first half she led the band through the classic River Deep Mountain High, a taxing number which Carissa executed magnificently. Near the end of the night she lead a small ensemble in a quaint arrangement of the song Them There Eyes. She was joined at the front of the stage by Nigel Towers on Eb Bass, and the duet between singer and tuba was stunning. Congratulations to Feilding Brass on another well-attended, entertaining, brass spectacle. Concert Time! "Brass 'n' Jazz" is taking place this Saturday, the 25th of November at the Feilding Civic Centre. Soloists from the band include Shane Hatcher (cornet), Carissa Davies (vocals) and Nigel Towers (Eb bass). Guest artists, "Square Jazz" will also entertain with a number of items. Tickets are available from the Feilding Information Centre, Beggs Music in Palmerston North, or at the door (from 7pm). Adults: $12.50 Children/Students: $2.50 Family (2+4): $30 The band has been working hard and is looking forward to providing a great evening's entertainment, so come along and enjoy a night of Brass 'n' Jazz! Central Districts Contest On the 2nd and 3rd of September the annual Central Districts brass band contest was hosted by Hawera Brass. Eight bands participated during the weekend with the Sacred Item and Test Piece played on Saturday, and the Street March and Concert Programme on Sunday. Only two bands, Port of Napier and New Plymouth, graced the First section this year with the district's top ranked band Wanganui Brass conspicuously absent. Port of Napier won this section comfortably, although New Plymouth demonstrated superior stage presentation, and a high standard of march music.  Feilding Brass competing in the Street March during the Central Districts Contest The second section featured a tighter contest than recent years with only a few points separating Feilding Brass and Hawera Brass in the Hymn and Test aggregate. Feilding Brass won the marching title for the 18th consecutive year, also beating first section New Plymouth in the process. The adjudicators for the event were Mr Graeme Hickman and Mr Simon Kerwin. At the prizegiving ceremony Mr Hickman expressed his disappointment at the standard of playing during the Sacred Item, in which no band started well. He suggested that perhaps some bands did not make wise choices when selecting their music, as the weaknesses of the bands were often exposed. Continuing the summary of his adjudication, Mr Hickman stated "Entertaining is an important part of banding. Audiences listen with their eyes... A band's entrance on stage should be made with confidence and conviction. Bands should never look as though they are apologising for being there!" Mr Hickman said that it was good to see some movement on stage, especially when percussionists "get a bit of a groove going." Mr Kerwin emphasised the importance of learning during competitions. He suggested that lower grade bands should listen to higher grade bands to learn about the possibilities when it comes to a high quality technical performance. He also suggested that higher grade bands should go and listen to lower grade bands, as they provided more exciting entertainment programmes! Section 1 Winners
Section 2 Winners
Section 3 Winners
Champion Drum Major Dennis Maunder, Port of Napier Brass Full results:
Central Districts Contest Preparations are well underway for the upcoming Central Districts Contest to be held in Hawera during the first weekend in September. Feilding Brass will travel to Hawera on Saturday, the 2nd of September to compete in the Sacred Item, Test Piece, Entertainment and Street March sections. Extra rehearsals have been called for the next two Sunday afternoons to make sure the band is as prepared as they can be! The band welcomes a number of new players, who have joined during the year to increase the numbers in the horn, euphonium and percussion sections. A big welcome to Belinda, Olivia, Selwyn and Caitlyn! Last Night of the Proms a treat Last Night of the Proms with Feilding Brass under musical director Peter Ellery, principal soloists Wendy Kale, Ray Woolf and Clyde Dixon, Feilding Civic Centre Stadium, Sunday evening. RICHARD MAYS was there. Toots, plenty of hoots, a massed fluttering of flags, and a rousing Rule Britannia will probably ensure Feilding's first Last Night of the Proms won't be a one-off. Not everyone dressed up, but some arrived an hour early to grab prime places in the Civic Centre Stadium for the gala novelty treat. Conducted in great spirit by Peter Ellery, Feilding Brass celebrated its musicianship and showmanship with numbers that included the Can Can (dancing girls not included), Cornish medleys, and the ever-popular Colonel Bogey. At half time, uniforms came off, and out came the funny hats, while the musicians continued providing accomplished and light-hearted accompaniment for guests. Champion cornet player Clyde Dixon astounded, first with his solo from the Carnival of Venice, and later dressed as Lofty from It Ain't 'Alf Hot Mum, performing the difficult Post Horn Gallop on a rifle barrel. Ray Woolf sang his World War II bracket kitted out as a refugee from Dad's Army, and performed an affecting Danny Boy. Feilding-raised soprano Wendy Kale took the high road to start with Habanera from Carmen, added I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady, and returned for the finale cheekily costumed as a feisty trident-wielding Britannia. Choirs from Nga Tawa and Feilding High added solo and combined items to the carnival. A buoyant audience responded with sing-along, laughter, whistling, duck calls, and random balloon popping and seemed reluctant to leave. Thanks to the Manawatu Standard for this review. Last Night of the Proms A great night of entertainment was experienced last night, as a large audience joined Feilding Brass in the Last Night of the Proms.The concert began with a lively rendition of God Defend New Zealand, with the audience supported by Feilding High Choir and Nga Tawa Choir. The band was also joined by soloists, Clyde Dixon, Wendy Kale, Ray Woolf and Roger Simpson to perform music from from around the world as well as the 'traditional' British Last Night of the Proms reportoire. Many members of the audience arrived dressed in red, white and blue to add to the occasion. Not wanting to be outdone, the band swapped their green concert jackets in the second half for a more colourful ensemble.  Feilding Brass ready for the second half of the Last Night of the Proms The audience was kept entertained during the evening with the antics of Clyde Dixon, Ray Woolf and Peter Ellery. A highlight for many in the audience, was Clyde's 'audition' for the band, when he performed the Post Horn Galop using a rifle... Special mention must be made of euphonium player, Steve Mackley, who managed to keep his composure during the superbly played candenza in Henry Wood's Fantasia on Bristish Sea Songs. It was apparent many band members did not like Steve being the centre of attention, as it was not long before magazines were pulled out, a game of cards was started, drinks were served, items of clothing thrown around and near the end, Clyde's rifle was handed to the musical director to try to hurry Steve up a little! The last bracket of music included Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and Now is the Hour. The emphasis was on audience participation and they did well with some very loud singing! The evening was an enjoyable event for all involved and one that will hopefully be repeated in the future. Photos from the concert. Pomp and Circumstance Coming to Feilding. Feilding Brass are set to perform a "Last Night at the Proms" concert on Sunday 7 May. In a first for the band, they have combined forces with a professional production company, Pan Pacific Productions. Musical Director Peter Ellery, has spent many late nights attending meetings and putting the concert together with Pan Pacific Director Pat Snoxell. Pat has produced over 60 major productions throughout Australasia and brings a wealth of experience to the event. This production is a huge undertaking for Feilding Brass and the band is practising very hard on the large selection of music required. With the good local support the band typically enjoys at their concerts, they are expecting a capacity crowd of 1000 people for the event. Headlining the singer is New Zealand’s Ray Wolf, accompanied by well know Soprano Wendy Kale and local bass singer Roger Simpson. Special guest soloist is renowned champion cornet virtuoso Clyde Dixon who will perform two numbers with the band. Providing the music is only one part of producing an atmosphere reminiscent of a "Last Night at the Proms". All those attending will be encouraged to come in Outrageous Fancy Dress, bring plenty of streamers and be in Good Voice! The recent makeover of the Feilding Civic Centre Stadium will certainly ensure the audience enjoy the concert in comfort. Most of the traditional music enjoyed at the "Last Night" will be played, along with tunes with a more Kiwi Flavour! It may not be the Royal Albert Hall, but the enjoyment, the music and the fun will ensure those attending will leave having had a wonderful evening. We feel sure Sir John Barbirolli and Sir Malcolm Sargent would approve. Relay for Life Saturday dawned bright and sunny for the annual Relay for Life. Unfortunately, it was also quite windy and the pegs had been left behind! Luckily, a few organised band members shared the pegs they carried in their cases so that our music could stay on our stands. The band started with Surfin Safari. An energetic number to help all the people walking and running around the track. Other tunes included Aces High, Light as Air, Mac the Knife and Swingin Kilts. $242,000 was raised for the Cancer Society during the 24 hour event, although the final total is expected to rise. Brighouse & Rastrick Composers' Competition Craig Holdaway, soprano player for Feilding Brass, was selected as a finalist in the Brighouse & Rastrick 125th Anniversary Composers' Competition. The competition called for a three to four minute piece of music that could be used as a concert opener. Craig's piece Inspiration Avenue was one of 10 finalists selected from the 36 entries. Brighouse and Rastrick played through all the entries before selecting the finalists, which were performed at a free concert in the Central Methodist Church, on Thursday the 16th of February. Craig will be bringing his piece along to band practice on Wednesday to provide us all with a nice challenge! Paul Lovatt-Cooper won the competition with his piece West Ridings. More details can be found on 4barsrest. First Rehearsal The year started off by playing a piece called Joyful March by Bertrand Moren. The band's focus is on practising suitable music to perform outside for the Relay for Life and music for the Last Night of the Proms concert. Fingers were soon working hard as we worked our way through Finale from Orpheus in the Underworld and Pomp and Circumstance March Number 1. The newly purchased piece, Celebration Overture, is also providing a challenge. It is a collection of lively and reflective Salvation Army tunes and manages to feature each section at some part during the piece. Start Date for 2006 The first rehearsal for Feilding Brass for 2006 is: Wednesday, 1st of February |
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