Giggleswick and Settle Brass Band

St John’s Methodist Church, Settle

KITTED out in striking, new, relaxed style uniforms and under the baton of a new conductor, Kevin Maltby there was no doubting that this was a band which had undergone a regeneration and emerged refreshed and energised by the changes.

The programme also reflected this more casual style with a wide range of music to cater for every taste and designed to show off the band at its very best. The evening included everything from the Rolling Stones to Swing from the big band era by way of The Beatles, The Blaydon Races and a tribute to the New York Jazz era in Birdland.

Ably supported by friends from other local bands they played a range of ensemble pieces and a number of stunning solos and particular mention should be made of the outstanding work of the percussion section, with the drummer working overtime in a number of items.

It was great to see the age range of the band, and with five members still at school the band is looking to the future and encouraging a love of brass band music in the younger generation.

There were also some traditional elements in the programme, which began with a rousing opening march, The Trombone King and then moved into a French dance tune, Farandole. This traditional Provencal dance picked up speed as it progressed and so provided an opportunity to see the fancy fingerwork of the musicians.

As well as outstanding musicianship there were also bursts of humour in the performance which again highlighted the band’s approach to providing an all round entertaining package. In a town synonymous with railways, the choice of A Ticket to Ride was obvious but this clever arrangement which began by creating the sound of an approaching steam train was absolutely inspired.

The number which closed the first half of the programme, Jamie’s Patrol, a mash up of well known Scottish tunes, was given a humorous twist by the gradual departure of the various band members, to suggest the idea of the band approaching and then marching away.

There was audience awareness and humour too in the wonderful bass tuba solo, The Happy Hippo - who would ever have thought so many things could be stored in a tuba?

One of the real strengths of the band is its ability to move fluidly between styles and this was seen in the mixture on offer, with a soulful cornet solo in Georgia On My Mind, a rousing tribute to the RAF with a march from The Battle of Britain and haunting Erin’s Shorte capturing the poignancy of exile.

This was a concert for all and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present.

- Gill O’Donnell