“A Concert to Remember” Concert: 23rd April, 2023

WARNERS BAY THEATRE

Brisbane Water Brass and Cardiff Northlakes Brass

The Concert opened with Brisbane Water Brass, conducted by E-Yang Lui, presenting the well-known march Glorious Victory. This was followed by TV March Themes, a medley of marches from TV Shows. The Great Escape Theme, from the 1963 Movie of the same name, starring Steve McQueen, was a popular inclusion. Nautical Air, a medley of old tunes about sea-going experiences, prompted some foot-tapping from the audience.

The 633 Squadron Theme from the 1964 war film of the same name, about the exploits of a fictional World War II British Bomber Squadron, provided a contrast in style.

Men of Harlech, the regimental march of the Welsh Guards, followed. The variety of music continued, with Bruce Woodley’s emotional composition, I am Australian, stirring patriotic feelings, Glenn Miller’s In the Mood, an ever popular big band number and that song What a Wonderful World, synonymous with that “Man of Jazz”, Louis Armstrong. An “Australian Flavour” was re-introduced with Australian Folk Song Medley No.2, which included the well-known Bound for South Australia, The Drover’s Song and With My Swag All On My Shoulder. The Band concluded its first-half performance with a traditional brass band march, Our Director and was well-rewarded with appreciative audience applause.

The audience was perhaps surprised that opening number from Cardiff Northlakes Brass Band was conducted by assistant musical director Meredith Wilson. Nightfall in Camp is a unique arrangement, in that the band played Lead Kindly Light as musical director Luke Bradbery played the Last Post as an over-riding melody. The audience responded with acclamation. The March 1914 followed, with its medley of tunes, Tipperary, Hello, Who’s Your Lady Friend and Take Me back To Blighty.

The music score for the 1998 epic war movie Saving Private Ryan was written by John Williams. Hymn to the Fallen comes from that Score. It drew a warm response from the audience. Another traditional march, Arthur Gullidge’s

Emblem of the Army, re-established the “marching beat”, but this quickly changed with the 1940’s Andrews Sisters hit, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

The Hymn, All Things Bright and Beautiful settled, the audience, but it was ‘up tempo’ again with a number made popular by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five Jazz Band in the twenties, Muskrat Ramble. This tempo continued with the Dorothy Yates arrangement of the famous John Phillip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever.

The powerful and inspiring Whitney Houston song, the “Anthem” of the 1998 Seoul Olympic Games, One Moment in Time, drew continuous applause, as did Beatles Gold, a medley of their No.1 hits. The encore number was a “special treat’. It was the very well-known Highland Cathedral with a difference. The arrangement played was by Luke, the musical director.

There were smiles all around as the audience exited the Theatre. It was a great afternoon of musical entertainment.

CNL Brass acknowledges and thanks Lake Macquarie City Council for providing financial sponsorship, which assisted both Bands in staging this Concert. The music of brass bands continues to enhance the musical culture of this City.

Allan Shaw
Life Member
CNL Brass