On Saturday, February 24, Trinity Concert Band held their annual workshop day in Earley.
These rehearsal days are an opportunity for the band to work intensively on a selection of both new and existing band repertoire under the baton of a guest conductor, with an informal performance at the end of the day.
This year the band were delighted to welcome Nigel Hess, award-winning British composer and conductor of music for TV, film and theatre, to take the baton! Hess’ scores for TV and film include Maigret, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, Wycliffe, Dangerfield, Ladies in Lavender, and many more. His Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (also Classical Brit-nominated) was commissioned by HRH The Prince of Wales in memory of his grandmother, and premiered and recorded by Lang Lang.
TCB have been great fans of Hess’ works for a long time, most recently performing his Lochnagar Suite at the NCBF finals, and his Christmas Overture at their 2018 Christmas concert.
A spokesperson for the band said: “After many years of playing the music of Nigel Hess, we were really privileged to welcome the man himself to conduct this year’s TCB workshop day. During this intensive day of music making we worked on his fantastic East Coast Picture’, and Shakespeare Pictures, performing both to an appreciative audience at the end of the day.
“We love these workshop days, where we get the opportunity to focus on the finer details of our music and enjoy some socialising, but this year really was extra special, and a day we’ll remember for a long time to come.”
And Nigel enjoyed his visit.
He said: “This was such a fun day. My East Coast Pictures and Shakespeare Pictures completely nailed by a brilliant band, not to mention a spectacular last minute sight-read of Scramble.”
A full video recording of TCB’s performance can be found on their YouTube channel.
Trinity Concert Band are really excited to be performing Shakespeare Pictures again at their Spring Concert at All Saints Church in Wokingham on March 16, complete with full cathedral organ and harp; you definitely don’t want to miss that.
For details, visit www.trinityband.co.uk.
Joanne Neale
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