Tubalations was a day of musical celebration recently for low brass players at Staines Salvation Army.

Day long

Roy Scott of Stotfold Salvation Army Band celebrated 50 years of tuba playing by organising the Tubalation day workshop and an evening concert back in January.

Well known euphonium performer Charley Brighton and the Staines Band directed by Tim Parker took up the idea as a fund raising event, and 18 guest players from as far as Ipswich and Warwick arrived at 9.30am for registration and the first massed blow.

Treated

During the day, the players were fed and watered by the Corps catering staff and treated to illustrated talks on the Alexander Technique (for correct posture when playing brass instruments) by Jeanie Wood and the various weird and wonderful ‘Enharmonic’ and ‘5 valve’ systems used on vintage euphoniums and tubas from Charley Brighton’s amazing collection.

Les Neish

Tuba virtuoso Les Neish led the day and presented masterclasses and solos in the evening concert, where he performed the traditional Salvation Army solo, 'Higher Plain' by Stephen Bulla, originally scored for soprano cornet, the 'Serenade' from 'The Student Prince' and the violin solo 'Czardas' by Monti and his encore, 'Fnugg'.

Tuba virtuoso Les Neish led the day and presented masterclasses and solos in the evening concert4BR

Composers

Tubalations was also a shop window for rising composers and arrangers with works by Terry Treherne, whilst Robin Langdon conducted the premiere of his 'Pace' for low brass ensemble alongside a new composition by trumpet player Esther Hopkins, 'Periton Revisited', based on an ancient sacred tune with no key signature.

David E. Jones arranged 'Musing Moments from the Masters' as a fun piece featuring E flat & B flat basses stealing through the classics.