The Bands Concert Spring 2025

Last weekend, the Big Band, the Concert Band and the Brass Band joined musical forces to put on an evening of brilliant entertainment in the Olivier Hall.

Mr Powell, Assistant Music Director, reports:

‘The concert began with the Concert Band led by Harry Stuart playing five pieces which demonstrated the wide range of repertoire available to this ensemble. The opening march was from Gustav Holst’s ‘Suite in F’ and with its link to British folk songs provided a rousing opener.

This was followed by a move into the film world with music from How to Train Your Dragon. The was performed with a clarity of tone and assurance with a great a great sound particularly from brass and percussion. More subtle tones were then heard in Ronald Binge’s ‘Elizabethan Serenade’ – for many years the theme for the BBC’s light music programme. The Band offered a beautiful, lyrical playing from Freddie Banks and Harry Stuart and sterling work came from both Ethan Fong and Gracie Stott with the underlying ostinato.

Aram Kaskhaturian’s exciting ‘Sabre Dance’ was next on the list and the Band really demonstrated just how well on form they were with exuberant playing from the winds, dynamic brass driven on by the percussion section. The first half was then concluded with a selection from Pirates of the Caribbean.

After the interval, the Brass Band to the lead and gave us the traditional march ‘Slaidburn’ By W Rimmer, and an opportunity to relish a ‘real brass band’ sound. The main piece for this section was ‘Oregon’ by Jacob de Haan. This is a fantasy piece sights and sounds of this state. The opening featured the horn section and set the mood for more exiting themes to follow. All the sections in the band rose to the challenge of this piece in particular Nabil Pucks-Fazel on the drum kit.

As is customary on these evenings, the St. Edward’s Big Band concluded the concert with a selection of classic swing, mainstream Big Band, and pop numbers. Mentions here should go to Harry Stuart for his solos in ‘Birdland’ and ‘Mas Que Nada’, Alex Mather for his exceptional bas guitar playing in ‘Birdland’ and throughout, Freddie Banks for his solo in ‘Little Brown Jug,’ Freddie Morris and Toby Cooling for their solos in ‘Little Brown Jug’ and to our two drummers Lui van der Merwe and Tristan Reeves-Toy for keeping the beat so excellently.

This was an brilliant performance by all and everyone involved needs to be congratulated for delivering music at such a high level. Well done.’

You can view the full gallery of photographs taken on the evening here.