A warm sun still hung high in the sky as the IBBSS course came to its conclusion with this upbeat concert packed full of musical fun and interest in Swansea.

Prof Childs may have been suffering from the lingering effects of laryngitis, but it certainly didn’t stop him from presenting a loquacious brace of programmes from his ‘Prestige’ and ‘Sovereign’ bands - aided by two cracking soloists in Tom Hutchinson and Daniel Thomas.

Keen edge

A week of friendly competitiveness between the ensembles had certainly ensured a keen edge to the playing – the opening ‘Starlight’ from Alan Fernie by the Prestige band full of fizz and colour.

‘Wheel of Fortune’ from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘No Business like Show Business’ were delivered with clarity and pulse (aided by some excellent solo contributions), whilst a bold ensemble confidence was displayed with the finale of ‘Beyond Heaven’s Gate’ by Paul Lovatt-Cooper. Tom Hutchinson was a ‘Paragon’ in every sense with his solo spot.

After the break came the massed band items of ‘Liberty Bell’ and ‘Tritsch-Tratsch Polka’, a touching ‘All Through the Night’ and the imperialism of ‘Marche Slave’ - complete with Black Dyke star Matthew Routley in stentorian Cymric ‘Tsar’ monologue form and the ‘Best Section of the Week’ tubas adding a weighty Slavic boot tread. 

Bravura playing

In response there was bravura playing in spades from the Sovereign band; a precise ‘Fanfare & Flourishes’ leading into an effective ‘Hedwig’s Theme’ from ‘Harry Potter’ and deft ‘Let’s Face the Music and Dance’.  

Daniel Thomas wowed with his ‘Endearing’ display of virtuosity, whilst Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s drama packed ‘The Forces Unleashed’ provided an evocative finale.

After the break came the massed band items of ‘Liberty Bell’ and ‘Tritsch-Tratsch Polka’, a touching ‘All Through the Night’ and the imperialism of ‘Marche Slave’ - complete with Black Dyke star Matthew Routley in stentorian Cymric ‘Tsar’ monologue form and the ‘Best Section of the Week’ tubas adding a weighty Slavic boot tread. 

A warmly simmered ‘Crimond’, just as that sun started to wane over Swansea Bay was a fitting way to end.

Iwan Fox