The band were proud to perform as part of the West Lothian Schools Spring Concert Series on Sunday 20th March 2005. The Spring Concert Series is West Lothian’s annual showcase which highlights the high standard of instrumental music tuition in their schools.
The band performed in a concert which also featured the much acclaimed West Lothian Schools Jazz Ensemble and the NYCoS West Lothian Girls Choir.
Once again led by Conductor Nigel Boddice, the band performed five pieces.
The first was ‘Tam O’Shanters Ride’ by Denis Wright, during which the band was joined Gerry Fitzpatrick who narrated the verse as the music progressed.
This was followed by the excellent ‘Symphonic Variations for Euphonium and Band’ by Edward Gregson, which featured the magnificent solo talents of the band’s principal Euphonium - Isla Cameron.
A world premiere of two movements from the ‘Bathgate Hills Trilogy’ by Andrew Duncan were next.
The band then gave us a preview of one of the pieces for the forthcoming Manchester Youth Brass Band Championships, ‘Renaissance’, by Peter Graham.
The band were then joined for a rousing finale by the NYCoS West Lothian Girls Choir, a harpist and bagpipes for Eric Spence’s ‘Alone With My Thoughts’, arranged by A. Duncan.
All in all, it was an excellent performance indicating a return to normal form for the band, which bodes well for the forthcoming championships in Manchester.
