*
banner

Plenty of JAM to be spread

There will be seven new works for brass on show at the JAM concert season opener in London next month.

Onyx
  The Onyx Ensemble will be heard in performance at the event

The John Armitage Memorial Trust (JAM), the charity that has nurtured composition in the UK for over 21 years through its annual 'Call for Music' initiative, will start its 2022 season by showcasing no fewer than seven new works.

They can heard in a concert featuring the acclaimed brass ensemble Onyx Brass (above) alongside the Chapel Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge, singer Mark Le Brocq, organist Simon Hogan and actor Jane Shearsmith, under the baton of conductor Michael Bawtree.

Submissions

Due to the musical hiatus imposed by Covid-19, the concert at St Bride's Church, Fleet Street in London on 23rd March includes successful submissions to JAM's 2019 'Call for Music' — including the brass quintet world premiere by JAM's first Masterclass Series 2021 winner Janet Wheeler.

Since 2000, JAM has run a nationwide 'Call for Music' initiative for repertoire for choir, brass quintet and organ.

The commitment to nurture the next generation of composers has resulted in over 2,500 works submitted, with many composers enjoying repeat performances, securing publishing deals and commissions.

Successful works submitted in 2019 by Christopher Best, William Harmer, Philip Lancaster, Richard Peat and Kathryn Rose will also receive their first performances at the 23rd March event.

Centrepiece

The centrepiece will be the London premiere of 'Between the Stormclouds and the Sea', for choir, brass and organ, by composer Jack Oades and poet Grahame Davies.

It follows the world premiere took place in JAM on the March in the festival's home of Romney Marsh, Kent.

'Between the Stormclouds and the Sea' is largely melodically driven, with harmony that is often unsettled, and a flexible approach to rhythm and metreComposer, Jack Oades

Emotional landscape

Speaking to 4BR Jack Oades said: "I was delighted to collaborate with Grahame, with his uniquely beautiful writing. His words portray the independence, the feeling of difference and apartness of the Romney Marsh (Kent) native.

I wanted to capture the essence of the Marsh as a place, while simultaneously responding to the emotional landscape of the poetry."

He added: "'Between the Stormclouds and the Sea' is largely melodically driven, with harmony that is often unsettled, and a flexible approach to rhythm and metre.

The folkloric language of the poetry is emulated through my own harmonic language, combining the timbre of brass and organ underneath the choir, the music ebbs and flows 'like the surf upon the shingle, like the wind among the wheat'".

Time and place

JAM: Music of Our Time
Wednesday 23rd March (7.30pm)
St Bride's Church
Fleet Street, London
EC4Y 8AU

Tickets are now on sale via: www.jamconcert.org or 0800 988 7984

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


4BR Review

Recap on the 4BR British Open preview

September 6 • If you missed the live broadcast British Open preview on 4BR then you can just click and enjoy it gain ahead of the action at Symphony Hall.


Mead

Why not be a judge at the Open this year?

September 6 • If you are following the 'Sar Crossed Lovers' action at Symphony Hall today, let us know who you think has won.


Sterling instruments

Sterling return at British Open Championship

September 6 • A well respected instrument brand will make a welcome return at the British Open this year.


Art of Banfing

The Art of Banding comes to British Open...

September 6 • A new project that aims to bring awareness of the passion of banding will be adding to increasing social media coverage at the British Open this year.


Contest: 171st British Open

Saturday 6 September • Broad Street, Birmingham. B1 2EA


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Saturday 13 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH


Contest: Lower Sections 1-4 National Finals

Sunday 14 September • Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham. . *Please note as of 24th August 2023 the date is provisional according to Kapitol Promotions website GL50 4SH


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band at Petworth Heritage weekend

Saturday 20 September • Centre of Petworth Town GU28 OAH


Cheltenham Silver Band - Holst Birthday Concert

Saturday 20 September • All Saints Church, All Saints Road, Pittville, Cheltenham GL52 2HG


Crewe Brass

September 5 • We are looking for FLUGEL player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Rushden Town Band

September 2 • 2nd Trombone position has become vacant as current holder off to University. Rehearsals Mondays and Wednesday at Rushden Hall. RTB is a friendly 1st Section band who have recently come back from their second tour abroad and also released their first CD.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

September 2 • Are you moving to the West Midlands this autumn or possibly fancy a change of bandroom scenery? The band are looking to recruit an Eb bass and a Kit Percussionist to help us with our varied and ever expanding range of events.


Andy Wareham

BMus (Hons), MMus (Hons)
Conductor, Composer, Brass Tutor, Musicologist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd