High Five in London
Another thrilling performance, another fifth placing for Flowers Band as we tackled Hermann Pallhuber's Titan's Progress.
With great technical passages, huge lyrical melodies and complex dynamics rife throughout the piece, MD Paul Holland had his work cut out to get us into shape ready for the Royal Albert Hall (RAH). The work-rate remained high following our efforts at Symphony Hall in Birmingham at the start of September, so we began rehearsals in earnest on this latest challenge.
Flowers Band were pleased to have secured a sponsorship for some new polo tops from Gloucester Academy of Music, where we rehearse. This meant we were looking fresh and smart at all times in our new gear! A good draw, we were to play fifteenth. The band is receiving favourable draws this year!
The test piece features stand up solos from Cornet and Euphonium, as well as demanding sectional work from everyone in the band. Our Principal Cornet, Jamie Smith once again demonstrated why he is one of the finest Cornet players in the country by remaining icy cool on stage to deliver the melodic introduction after the opening fanfare with ease. With Mahler 1 quotes intertwined into the very fabric of Titan’s Progress, there was plenty on offer for volume and shock notes for us to explore the reverb of the RAH. As the music developed, there were more opportunities for us to showcase our players, with one Matt Rowe (Euphonium) delivering a masterclass in how one instrument can fill the cavernous space of the hall. Lauren Chinn, Emily Evans (Best Tenor Horn - BiC 2018), Andrew Hicks, Carlton Sykes (Best Basses - BiC 2018) all featured heavily and delivered in spades. A fantastic job all round.
Sky high Soprano playing from BiC 2018 Soloist Winner Paul Richards soared out above the band, whilst the foundations were tested as Tony and Ieuan laid out some incredible pedal work from the BBb Basses. It was another show where every player delivered and put the Flowers Band name back up in the highest ranking of the banding community. The iconic Mahler 1 fanfare featured heavily with the Cornet section throughout the set-work. The piece finishes with a heavy rallentando into a glorious Bb major chord. Deep breath, and play. The audience applause overtook the band’s sheer volume as the Flowers Band sound rang out.
An obligatory trip to the appropriately named Gloucester Arms pub managed to kill a few hours before we headed back into the hall for results.
FIFTH PLACE!
We had beaten some extremely good performances, notably from Tredegar, Foden’s and Desford, whom all delivered excellent renditions of Titan’s. Every band worked incredibly hard and we were thrilled to have found favour in the box.
We are now sitting an incredible 9th in the World.
Next up for Flowers Band is Brass in Concert in the Sage, Gateshead. We have a really exciting set up for this entertainment contest. Watch this space!