We were absolutely delighted to receive this wonderful review from Peter Neale, Manager of The Edge Arts Centre, following our Music is the Breath of Life concert on Friday evening.
“A Rousing Evening of Brass Band Music and Community Spirit“
Wellington (Telford) Brass Band brought an entertaining and wide-ranging programme to The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock for Music is the Breath of Life on Friday evening, directed by David Nicholson. The concert was an important fundraiser for the Jon Hayward Memorial Trust, which provides bursaries to help provide Shropshire children with access to music lessons.
Opening with A Film Fantasia, the band quickly demonstrated its versatility with music ranging from the vivid Zambezi and playful Bass in the Ballroom to You’ll Never Walk Alone, beautifully sung by soloist Laura Noble. The first half continued at pace with The Final Countdown, MacArthur Park and the exhilarating William Tell Finale, giving the audience plenty of variety and showcasing the considerable range of the band.
There is something wonderfully physical about hearing a top-class brass band in concert. The sound seems to reach beyond your ears and into your chest, combining power, precision and sheer musical exuberance.
After the interval came Death or Glory, familiar from the film Brassed Off, followed by the light-hearted Teddy Bear’s Picnic. The concert then moved firmly into traditional territory with a confident performance of Jerusalem, followed by the Radetzky March and Fantasy on British Sea Songs, before reaching its celebratory climax with Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance. Laura led the audience in Land of Hope and Glory as Union Flags waved throughout the auditorium, creating a spirited and suitably patriotic finale to the main programme.
The mood changed for the poignant closing sequence, with Evening Hymn andSunset performed to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, providing a moment of quiet reflection before the National Anthem brought the evening to a dignified close.
What wonderful words for the band to receive!
It was a very special evening for Wellington (Telford) Brass Band, raising funds for the Jon Hayward Memorial Trust and helping to support their work providing bursaries so that more young people in Shropshire can access music lessons.
A very special thank you must go to the beautiful and incredibly talented Laura Noble, who joined us as our vocal soloist. Laura’s performances were absolutely stunning and added something truly special to the evening. It was a real pleasure and privilege to have her performing alongside the band.
A huge thank you also to Peter and everyone at The Edge Arts Centre for making us so welcome, to everyone who came along and supported the evening, and to all those who helped make the concert possible.
We very much hope it won’t be the last time Wellington (Telford) Brass Band performs at The Edge!
Photo: John Rinaldi – reproduced with kind permission.
Review: Peter Neale, Manager, The Edge Arts Centre.
