Compact Disc/ Podcast on Friday 21st & Saturday 22nd November 2008.
Recorded in St Marys Church of Ireland, Comber
(This is not a final mastered mix!)
CSB Recording Photographs 21st & 22Nd November 2008 St Marys
Below if you wish to wait for the download is the major work and test for Comber band. Over 8 minutes of extreme contrasting playing, telling the story of children from a Salvation Army Childrens School during the Korean War, during which the children and staff were taken away on a long march through the Korean Jungle to their deaths. You will hear moments of hostility to the beatings and pain during their ordeal, but now and again a reflection on their faith and prayers being offered up for their deliverence.
Tone Poem - Faith Reborn ; Arr Leslie Condon
C.S.B. Recording Session
C.S..B. finally achieved what had been a long term objective during the weekend
of the 21/22 November by recording a short programme which it is hoped will
form part of a future podcast/C.D. The original idea came from their M.D. Geoff
Clarke and was fully backed by the Band Committee.The opportunity arose when,
to their disappointment, the band was unable to enter the N.I.B.A. Nov. Contest
as several key players were unavailable on the day.This recording venture focussed
the Band on an alternative goal during the pre-Christmas season.C.S.B. is indeed
fortunate that Geoff is not only their conductor but also has a knowledge of
and experience in recording with access to the necessary sophisticated equipment.With
help from his friend Jeremy and assistance from Associate Conductor Jack Burch
the Session finally got underway in St. Mary's Church Comber which was generously
made available for the purpose.
Geoff carefully picked a programme which not only illustrated the variety of music a Brass Band (B.B) can offer but chose Solo and Sectional features which highlighted the versatility and expertise of sections and the different sounds and rhythms possible from the various pitched instruments.
Every B.B. programme contains a march and the Rimmer contest march 'Punchinello' proved to be as popular now as when I learnt to play (In the last Century). Music from the Movies is always popular with the listening public as it often evokes memories and events from the past. Geoff's choice here was the theme music from 'The Magnificent Seven' - a stirring theme by Bernstein (arr .Fernie) and a compilation of music from the Bond films - arranged by Darrol Barry - a long-time favourite of C.S.B. In contrast the music from 'The Mission' - Gabriel's Oboe by Ennio Morricone was slower and simpler but nonetheless a beautiful melody. The final film piece 'Sway' from the Picture 'Shall We Dance' indicated a much more rhythmic style in which the importance of good percussion cannot be underestimated.
Another traditional side to a Brass Band's repertoire is the sacred or semi-sacred piece. Our programme included the hymn, 'Be still for the presence of The Lord'. This was a very simple and well-known tune which normally supports a simple but poignant message. 'Jubilation' as the title suggests is a joyful compilation which is a fantasy based on Negro Spirituals from the pen of James Curnow. This type of music appeals too many and is quite suitable to brass instruments. The final piece in this category was a tone poem by the Salvationist Leslie Condon. 'Faith Reborn' tells a story of persecution of the salvation Army's children's home set in a war-torn Korea and although challenging for the Band, repeated work at rehearsal has made the story come alive.
In Geoff's choice of Solo or Sectional features, his
aim was to use a Section or a Section Principal Player again to illustrate the
variety and versatility of both music type and shades of tonal colour achievable
from the medium of Brass. The Trombone Section played Heath's 'Frolic for Trombones'
and listening to this conjures up images of three eighteen- year -old lads on
a night out. Sounds can be deceptive! Our cornet solo was Langford's arrangement
of the ever popular song 'My Love is like a red red Rose' which enables the
cornet sound to be heard at its best. The flugel Solo was another slow but very
haunting melody. Although Rodrigo wrote his concerto ' Concerto de Aranjuez'
for guitar and orchestra the Adagio movement adapts well to B.B. and the flugel
sound is well suited to the melancholy mood of the original. The Tenor Horn
feature was also a slow and popular song 'Try to Remember' a Broadbent arrangement
which enhances a melody which lingers in the memory (no pun intended) long after
the last note has sounded. In contrast our Principal Euphonium played an old
favourite in the long - established traditional Brass Band Solo format i.e.
A well - known Air followed by technically difficult and exciting variations.
The chosen piece was 'The Grandfathers Clock' by Geo.Doughty - familiar to all
brass band afficionados.
The weekend was a worthwhile and rewarding experience for all concerned and
the fact that the Musical Management, Technical Team, Members and Guest Players
from neighbouring bands all worked together ( Some folk sacrificing valuable
time) for mutual benefit makes all associated with C.S.B. grateful for the memory
.It is my opinion that this type of venture helps convert a group of talented
(and not so talented) musicians into a cohesive Banding Unit.
By Ken Brown!