The Tuba Libre Event 2012
Workshops and Concert - Led by International Virtuoso and Workshop tutor Les Neish
City of Discovery Brass Band were delighted to hold their inaugural day of workshops, master classes, and music making in the Bell Street Music Centre, Dundee, on Saturday 18th August.
The concept of the day was to open up specialist brass workshops and master classes to all players within Tayside, culminating in an evening concert. Discovery Band are keen to encourage collaboration between musicians throughout the region, and to encourage youth and adult involvement in the brass band community. The main aim was to have a fun filled day of music.
The event was led by Les Neish, starting off with a youth workshop. If the giggles and smiling faces were anything to go by, it was great fun for all involved. More than 50 youth players (from Perthshire Youth Brass, Dundee Schools, and bands in surrounding areas) came together in exercises looking at rhythm, breathing, warming up, and buzzing skills. Les went on to lead a Solo workshop, including demonstrations and working with pupils from Dundee Schools, as well as players from City of Discovery and Arbroath Instrumental Bands.
Local Councillor, Lesley Brennan came along to observe the day, and MSP, Joe Fitzpatrick, who had also come to watch the workshops confessed to having played euphonium as a child. He was thoroughly delighted to be able to borrow an instrument and have a blow - "The last time I was in the Music Centre, many moons ago, I played in a competition and came fourth.... The standard of playing today has been wonderful, much better than I ever was!"
After a quick break for lunch, the majority of the younger players took part in a percussion workshop, led by Lynsey Paterson. Various rhythm games and lots of laughs meant that when the time came to pack away the collection of African drums, the youngsters were begging for more. At the same time, Les Neish began an open rehearsal, working on sections from Resurgam and Hymn for Diana - beautifully expressive sounds ringing out from the 70-odd players on the floor. There was a chance for a cup of tea before regrouping and having a massed band rehearsal in advance of the evening concert and a quick run through of Les' solo pieces with the adult bands.
The evening concert was well attended, with Stewart Murdoch - Director of Leisure and Communities for Dundee City Council - noting "what a wonderful success" the day had been.
Arbroath Instrumental opened the concert with a rousing rendition of the Olympic Fanfare and Theme conducted by Mike Robertson. Regard to G Robin Henderson Esq of Caithness was a lesser known, but well received piece. The audience were wowed with a performance of James Brown in the Twilight Zone, arranged for Arbroath band by trombone soloist Joe Walters. Les Neish joined the band on stage to play Hora Stacatto and then an impromptu solo. They closed their programme with A London Celebration and Dundonnell from Hymn from the Highlands.
Perthshire Youth Band paid homage to the Music centre's proximity to the Tayside police headquarters, opening with The Police Academy March. The Theme from Rocky was loved by all. The band were joined on stage by some of the visiting youth players from local bands and schools, and a familiar face rounded off the bass section: "with Les Neish playing in your band, it's like having Ronaldo join your Sunday league football team" quipped conductor Jason Blyth. The band's principal cornet led the band with I don't know how to love him, before everyone in the building joined in with singing ‘the lions sleeps tonight' during Alan Fernie's arrangement of African Funk.
City of Discovery band opened the second half of the concert with a premier of conductor Bruce Wallace's arrangement of Critical Mass, which certainly made sure the audience knew the interval was over. The band's flugel player, Audrey Bird, gave a haunting performance of Meechan's Lament from Macbeth, before the band quick stepped into The Champions march. Neish then left his seat in the bass section to lead the band in Song for the Skies. "It's often harder to play a slow sustained solo than a faster piece" explained Wallace. In closing, Discovery gave a soaring rendition of a piece they clearly enjoyed - Reflections in Nature.
Andrew Duncan, Youth Development Officer for SBBA, one of the day's sponsors was pleased to say a few words of thanks, and was astounded by the standard of playing coming from the youngsters - "It's so promising to see such talent in the area".
Putting his tuba to one side for the remainder of the evening, Les Neish conducted a massed band of City of Discovery and Arbroath, and guests, in a blinding rendition of Blenheim Flourishes, followed by Hymn for Diana, one of the pieces looked at in the open rehearsal earlier. Clog Dance is always a popular choice, and Pirates of the Caribbean was a firm favourite with the younger players in the band. Despite light hearted jostling from the audience, Neish didn't do the highland fling as the bands performed a spirited Scottish compilation Skirl.
Hosts, City of Discovery Band, are very grateful to all who contributed to and supported the event: the young people who participated in the workshops; the bands who performed; Lynsey Paterson for leading the percussion workshop; SBBA, Besson, Northern Counties BBA and Dundee City Council for sponsoring the event; the many volunteers and event organisers; Les Neish for his inspiring youth workshop, solo master class, his work with the bands and his performance in the concert; and lastly they want to thank to all those who attended the concert. "What a fantastic day!"
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