A report on our recent trip to the NCBF in Warrington from Jo Overty ...

 

The Isle of Man Wind Orchestra is celebrating winning a prestigious place in the final of the National Concert Band Festival.

 

The orchestra secured an invitation to the event in Cardiff next April when it gained the top award possible, a gold, in the North West regional final in Warrington on Sunday.

 

The regional festival is one of six held across the British Isles for school, community, university and advanced wind bands. Each band plays a 20-minute programme in front of two adjudicators. Bands are judged not against others but against the adjudicators' list of musical criteria. Merit, Bronze, Silver or Gold awards are handed out. In all, more than 5,000 musicians take part.

 

Taking the top accolade means that under its conductor, Paul Dunderdale, IoMWO will play alongside bands from the other regions who gained gold awards at the national event at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on 18th/19th April 2009.

Orchestra chairman Joanna Drysdale said members only began rehearsing the programme in earnest in October.

 

One adjudicator praised a 'most pleasing programme' and remarked that the opening piece was 'impressive'. The other adjudicator commented that the orchestra had 'superlative tone quality' and a 'wide range of tone colours'. The orchestra received two As - one for presentation/deportment and the other for programme balance and choice.

 

The orchestra must now devise a new programme for the national final.

 

Joanna said: 'The whole orchestra is buzzing with excitement at the prospect of going to Cardiff and the challenging music we will be playing.'

 

The orchestra is open to players of all ages and abilities. The music it plays generally does not exceed ABRSM Grade V in difficulty.

 

The orchestra will play carols in Strand Street, Douglas, on Thursday evenings and Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas to raise funds.

 

From 20-22 February 2009 it will enjoy a workshop weekend with guest conductor Phil Robinson of the Manchester University Wind Orchestra.

 

The Isle of Man Wind Orchestra travelled recently to the Great Sankey High School in Warrington to take part in the regional festival for the North West and North Wales region.

 

 

 

 

Jem Cotton (webmaster) adds ..

 

For info, the tunes we played in Warrington were ...

 

Concert Prelude (Philip Sparke),

 

Shenandoah (Frank Ticheli arrangement),

 

Stephenson’ Rocket (Nigel Hess)

 

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Isle of Man Wind Orchestra strikes gold in Warrington