By Karan Garbett
Huddersfield Wind Band retained its Platinum award status for a second year at the National Concert Band Festival.
This was yet another overwhelming experience and an amazing result at the regional festival in Oldham.
Huddersfield Wind Band was established by the late Adrian Baxter in 1986. With now approximately 52 musicians HWB are based in Salendine Nook, under the musical direction of John Turnbull.
The band’s programme opened with a highly energised ‘Pound the Streets’ by Paul Lovett Cooper.
The driving rhythms, relentless riffs and ostinati resembling that of rock/pop style was originally commissioned the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland in 2010.
The band thoroughly enjoyed this piece which was clear to hear with its energising vibe. This piece had rhymical excitement and enthusiasm from the ensemble which was balanced and blended with ‘a well-rounded sound.’
There were great effects from the horn section with a pulsating ostinato in the bass which held steadily throughout the piece.
John Turnbull
In contrast to such a powerful opening, Huddersfield Wind Band performed ‘With Each Sunset’ by Richard. L Saucedo.
The music depicts the darkest moments of Jack Hensley’s life in Iraq. The major sonorities convey Hensley’s optimism for a new beginning.
There was contrasting and confident solo playing in this beautiful piece. Tutti sections were well controlled with attentive phrasing.
‘Seize the Day’ was arranged by John Turnbull which saw a change of musical style in the programme. This song is about the 1899 newsboys strikes in New York and is taken from the musical Newsies.
John Turnbull clearly understands the strengths of this ensemble with its controlled and effective tempo changes.
Solo lines blended well with the accompaniment and the rhythms were well managed. Transitions between sections were neatly executed with clear articulations indicating this piece had ‘plenty of character and had a nice narrative.’
The final piece, American Trilogy arranged by Goff Richards, heard the solo euphonium play a ‘most pleasing’ melody line as the band once again made effective tempo changes between transitions.
Furthermore, there was more wonderful solo playing within the ensemble with the sound blending effectively. There were with some great effects in the lower brass in this fantastic finale.
Huddersfield Wind Band had clear musical direction from John Turnbull at this regional festival which led to a highly impressive performance.
Adjudicator Simone Rebello congratulated HWB on the ‘ebb and flow’ of the programme which had a ‘great selection of repertoire.’
Gerard Booth stated that Huddersfield Wind Band had delivered ‘a well-crafted’ performance.
Anyone wishing to learn more about Huddersfield Wind Band can visit the band website or Facebook page.
