Woolston Brass The release of this CD recording marks the 125th Anniversary of the founding of Woolston Brass. Conceived, directed and produced by Tyme Marsters, this new album acknowledges the band’s distinguished past, but also looks to the future. Since his appointment in 2015, Tyme Marsters has carefully maintained the band’s well-established reputation while ushering in a fresh, forward-looking approach. Woolston Brass’ 125 year history records an abundance of championship success, overseas expeditions and colourful characters. The archives also tell of events not directly related to, but nevertheless impacting upon the band. It is recalled that our band forebears were affected by the great depression, two world wars and other catastrophic events. More recently the Christchurch earthquake, the effects of which are still unresolved at the band’s Dampier Street premises, will undoubtedly become part of its recorded history one day. Other milestones (though relatively mundane in this light) are also noted: winning the Edinburgh Festival Contest; gaining fifth place in the 1975 British Open Championships; winning the Australian Championships; winning the inaugural Australasian Championship; and achieving an unprecedented four-in-a-row at the national contest in 2012! Since its formation in 1891 as The Woolston Band this now iconic performing arts organisation has maintained a playing strength of around forty musicians, with members drawn from all walks of life brought together by a creative talent for making music. Woolston Brass takes great pride in its pioneering education programme. From its inception in the early 1960s as The Woolston Auxiliary Band to its rebirth in the 1990s as The Woolston Brass Academy the programme has grown to include two training bands: Woolston Junior Band (primary level) and Woolston Concert Brass (secondary level). Today, thanks to the support of individual donors and a robust patronage programme, Woolston Brass is looking forward to a future as secure and successful as its past. Programme Notes: Prismatic Light – Alan Fernie A cracking, exciting number written especially as a concert opener. Jubilee March – Paul Drury Written in the style of a circus march, this composition has proved immensely popular since its creation for the centenary celebrations of Edinburgh’s Gorgie Band in 1998. Featuring three well-known choruses, ‘Be Glad in the Lord’, ‘I Love Him Better Every Day’ and ‘Bound for Canaan’s Shore’ , this march contains some old-fashioned touches linked with modern harmonies. Rule Britannia – John Hartmann A patriotic British song originating from the poem Rule, Britannia by James Thomson and set to music by Thomas Arne in 1740. It is strongly associated with the Royal Navy, but also used by the British Army. A fabulous theme and variations in the style of Arban, but with a British twist. Phoenix Rising – Tom Davoren Composed to pay homage for the resurgence of brass banding in the 1980s and 1990s, Phoenix Rising emulates the rise of a Phoenix from the flames and juxtaposes sweeping melodic gesture with relentless driving rhythm, culminating in a high adrenaline tour de force. War of the Worlds – Peter Graham This suite takes inspiration from the 1953 film script adaptation of the famous HG Wells novel. Key scenes from the film are set as individual movements: 1. Wrath: Depicts the arrival of the alien advance party on planet Earth. 2. Reflections: (Flugel horn and tenor horn duet) Mankind contemplates a life forever changed as the invaders progress their colonisation of Planet Earth. 3. Battle: Mankind begins the fight for survival against the Martian war machine. 4. Deliverance: (Soprano cornet solo) The survivors seek sanctuary in the Church of Santa Maria, still standing among the burning ruins of Los Angeles, and pray for deliverance. 5. Phoenix: Saved from extinction, mankind begins to rebuild Earth’s ruined cities. The symbolism of the phoenix rising from the ashes will resonate with the people of Christchurch. In the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake, their determination has become a reminder of our ability to overcome adversity. ’Mid All the Traffic – John B Dykes. Arr: Leonard Ballantine The melody Shenandoah is one of those exquisite folk expressions that begs to be treated simply. Its sheer beauty of line and character make it the perfect choice for marriage to the sensitive lyrics of John Oxenham’s masterful ’Mid All the Traffic of the Ways. Jubilance – William Himes This cornet solo was written for Peggy Thomas, principal cornet of the Chicago Staff Band of the Salvation Army. It is tightly constructed and opens with material based on bare fourths and fifths, the soloist almost arguing with the band in places. A brief quote from the Salvationist tune ‘Joy Because of You’ fails to appease the band, but eventually a cadenza quietens the mood before the soloist introduces ‘If You Want Joy’. At last the band succumbs, restating ‘Joy Because of You’. The soloist takes this up and has finally won his argument, turning the opening mood of aggression into one of joy. He is Starlight – Anthony Ritchie Commemorating the composer’s father, the late John Ritchie, ‘He is Starlight’ was commissioned by UNESCO at the suggestion of Margaret Austin CNZM in 2015. Woolston Brass premiered the work at The Starlight Festival in Twizel later that year. Best known as a composer and conductor, John Ritchie was a close friend and a life-long supporter of Woolston Brass, serving for many years as the band’s patron. Anthony Ritchie takes the line ‘He is starlight’ from Cilla McQueen’s poem ‘Frost’ as a starting point. “It is a reflection on bereavement, ending with the lovely image of the soul becoming a star in the sky. The idea seemed right for a concert in this festival. The piece begins with the sounds of tuned percussion, suggesting the light from stars. Following the opening, a theme is heard on the trombones, based on one of John’s own themes from his Clarinet Concertino. A quicker and more joyous fast section then follows, based on earlier themes, and builds to a bright conclusion. It is intended as a celebration of life.” Visions of Kolkhis – Tom Davoren Commissioned by Jason Katsikaris and the Leyland Band for the 2009 Brass in Concert Championship, this piece is inspired by Jason Katsikaris’s Greek heritage. Written in three continuous sections, the work paints a vivid picture of the island of Kolkhis, a place instrumental in so many tales in Greek mythology. The music represents three individual stories: Jason and the Argonauts, The Golden Fleece and The Liberation of Prometheus by Hercules. However, musical material is drawn from the Leyland Band’s signature march, Harold Moss’s ‘The Royal Tiger’. The Woolstonian – Kenneth Young (Commissioned to mark the band’s 125th Jubilee.) A lecturer in composition and conducting at the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University, Kenneth Young has written many works for brass bands alongside his orchestral and chamber music output. A former Principal Tuba with the NZSO, Ken’s earliest notes were sounded as a budding cornet player in the Woolston Auxiliary Band. A stint in Woolston’s euphonium section under Mervyn Waters preceded university study and a professional appointment with the NZSO. In 2005, Kenneth was awarded the Lilburn Trust Award for Outstanding Services to New Zealand Music. “It is a huge honour for me to write a march for the band that I grew up playing in, and which gave me so much musical pleasure plus life-long friendships.” – Ken Young.