We’re off to the National Finals!
After just over two months under the baton of new conductor, Craig Patterson, MK Brass has qualified for the finals of the National Finals of the National Brass Band Championships (First Section) in Cheltenham at the end of the Summer, by securing second place at the London & Southern Counties Area contest at Stevenage on the 18th March.
Craig crafted a performance from the band of test piece ‘Mountain Views‘ – by Swiss composer Bertrand Moren, which the adjudicator David Lancaster described as “consistent and very reliable”, noting additionally that both qualifying bands had produced particularly good performances. ’4barsrest’, the respected Brass Band internet site said the band’s performance was “an impressive reading, full or subtlety and clarity”, and went on to praise the band’s soloists, particularly principal cornet, Matt Ball.
It was a particularly successful weekend for Craig, as on the previous day he lead Hitchin Band to victory in the Third Section of the same competition – winning them a qualification to the National Finals too.
MK Brass’ Development Band performed in the 4th Section, also on Saturday. Despite a disappointing 17th place MD Dave Johnston expressed himself really pleased with the band’s performance on a difficult work – Vaughn Williams’ English Folksong Suite – and in particular with the cornet section, half of whom were attending their first contest.
Concert with visiting US Choir in City Church announced
A date for the diaries of all those interested in choral music is Thursday, May 3rd, when the Faith Lutheran Choir from Spicer, Minnesota, USA, visits Milton Keynes as part of the choir’s singing tour of English Cathedrals and Churches.
The concert at MK City Church starts at 7:30pm, and will include items from MK Brass, as well as sacred and secular works from the choir’s repertoire, and some joint items.
The choir is based in Spicer, Minnesota – a picturesque corner of the State on the shores of the beautiful Green Lake, and was formed in 1963.
Contact band secretary Jayne Scott for tickets (details on our contact us page) or purchase at the door.
