*
banner

Fairey Band

Conductor: Richard Evans
Stroud Assembly Rooms
Sunday 24th June

Fairey Band returned to the Stroud Subscription Rooms for the second time in nine months to provide a thoroughly entertaining afternoon concert under guest conductor Richard Evans. 

Knowing just what works and what doesn’t for an occasion such as this, the maestro balanced something new with something old, the familiar with the slightly obscure.

Swagger

The swagger of Safroni’s ‘Imperial Echoes’ therefore provided the tasty aperitif for some impressive ensemble playing in ‘Ruslan and Lyudmila’, before contrast came with Laura Conway delivering a touching rendition of Caccini’s ‘Ave Maria’.

The lightweight ensemble precision of ‘Holiday for Strings’ featured some equally classy solo touches from Stephanie Wilkins on the principal cornet chair, before Richard Evans introduced the band’s ‘Player of the Year’, trombonist Rebecca Lundberg to deliver a classy rendition of, ‘As If We Never Said Goodbye’.

Richard Rock’s up-beat arrangement of ‘Queen of Faerieland’ (from ‘Maleficent’) displayed warmth and balance from the middle of the band, whilst the film flavour continued with sop player Jonathan Probert on suave form on ‘Live and Let Die’ and the MD giving a fine impression of Harrison Ford in an exciting ‘Indiana Jones’ to close.

Richard Evans couldn’t resist ‘Let’s Face the Music and Dance’ as a cracking encore - much to the delight of an audience that had obviously enjoyed the concert just as much as he had.

Welcome revival

Elgar Howarth’s ‘Pel Mel’ was a welcome revival to open the second half with solo horn and current Scottish Open solo champion, Rachel Neil then giving a classy rendition of ‘One Day in Your Life’ - segueing neatly into the stirring ‘Climb Every Mountain’ and the Billy Joel classic, ‘Goodnight My Angel’, arranged for quintet.

A romp through ‘Gypsy Dance’ by Dargomyzhsky’s heralded a bit of fizzing solo work from Adam Bokaris on the crowd favourite euph classic, ‘Grandfather’s Clock’, before ‘I’ll Walk with God’ and ‘Pines of Rome’ brought things to a rousing close.

Richard Evans couldn’t resist ‘Let’s Face the Music and Dance’ as a cracking encore - much to the delight of an audience that had obviously enjoyed the concert just as much as he had.

Paul Simms 

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Haverhill Silver Band - A Nightingale Sang... (an evening concert)

Saturday 2 August • Foakes Hall, Dunmow CM6 1DG


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Moorlands Brass

July 15 • We are a new community band based in Staffordshire moorlands, and are looking for players of all abilities in all sections.So come along and give us a try you will be made very welcome.


Chinnor Silver

July 15 • Our COMMUNITY BAND is meeting again on Monday at 11am (21st) and we would welcome any player (all abilities welcome) to join us.We are a friendly group who just love playing together and chatting during our cake and coffee break.. BONUS its all free


Haverhill Silver Band

July 13 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a SECOND HORN. This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Andrew White

MA(Ed Man), B Ed (Hons), BBCM, ADNCB, PGCE, Cert Ed
Conductor, Arranger, Adjudicator & Educationist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd