Part of the RNCM’s ongoing investment in educational outreach work has been the creation of the Junior RNCM Brass Band, which offers weekly Saturday morning tuition to youngsters by members of staff as well as visiting performers.

The long term benefits for the RNCM and the young players themselves are obvious, allowing for a graduated level of musical development that is both challenging and highly enjoyable - the current results of which were splendidly showcased with this compact afternoon concert.  

Detail and energy

Alan Fernie’s ‘Prismatic Light’ fizzled under the charismatic direction of Les Neish - all sparkly purpose, detail and energy, and which was contrasted by the descriptive ‘The Spirit Within’ by Ben Hollings. 

Inspired by the goodness of the human spirit and the seeking of a harmonic outlook on life, its engaging balances between minor and major structures was eventually resolved in a triumphant close. 

The centre piece came with the Jules Verne inspired ‘Journal of Phileas Fogg’ - a colourful musical travel brochure (linking neatly with the festival theme) which sees Peter Graham managing to cram in more stereotype stop-offs than can be found on the departure board for Easyjet flights at Gatwick airport.  

The centre piece came with the Jules Verne inspired ‘Journal of Phileas Fogg’ - a colourful musical travel brochure (linking neatly with the festival theme) which sees Peter Graham managing to cram in more stereotype stop-offs than can be found on the departure board for Easyjet flights at Gatwick airport.

Rousing confidence

Led with elegant purpose by Jon Malaxetxebarria, and played with rousing confidence, it was super stuff - taking the band (as well as an encouragingly substantial audience) on a non-stop ride from London, through Paris, the Russian Steppes, Vienna, Spain, Australia and back home again much closer to 8 minutes than 80 days.    

The spotlight was rounded off with an expertly choreographed ‘You’ve Been Warne’d’ from the pen of Paul Lovatt- Cooper – not a homage to the famous Australian leg spin bowler, but a funky googly of street-jive swing and swagger that ran around with the bubbling energy of a six year old whose eaten too many blue smarties.

It reinforced the point that Saturdays at the RNCM are about creating confidence and musical character wrapped up in a package of fun - just like this cracker of a concert in fact.

Malcolm Wood