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On Saturday 16th February,
Littlehampton, Adur and Bognor Regis Concert Bands combined, in Worthing’s
Assembly Hall, for their 5th annual Massed Bands Extravaganza.
This splendid evening, adroitly compered by
Richard Andrews, attracted a large and appreciative following, each of the
bands taking to the stage in turn during the first half.
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If the first half showed each band’s
individual talents, the second was about unity………and how! 100 musicians,
a mighty percussion section and a stage full to capacity, promised a real
treat, not to mention an immense aural challenge!
This awesome prospect was gloriously
displayed, under Howard’s direction, in the fearsome “Mars” from Holst’s
Planets Suite. Our magnificent hall survived both this onslaught and an
attack from Ron Goodwin’s “633 Squadron”, led by Bob who also directed the
masses in James Swearing’s evocative “Centuria”.
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J S Bach wrote his Toccata (and Fugue) in
D-minor for organ but, given such resources in the 17th
century, would he have orchestrated it for massed concert band as well?
Andrew revelled in the opportunity to take control of an “organ” of
immense proportions in Farr & Lamb’s splendid tribute to Bach’s genius.
This man of many talents then became our
train driver on the American railroad in de Haan’s magnificently
descriptive “Oregon”.
Brother Howard, not to be outdone, concluded
the concert by assuming the mantle of “M” in a rousing selection of James
Bond themes, followed by the anthems “Sussex-by-the-Sea” and “National”
played with gusto. Never mind ‘007 roll on 2009!
Dennis Hurdwell |
