Programme Notes KING EDWARD VI COLLEGE CLARINET QUARTET, STOURBRIDGE Musical Director: John Criswold Age range of performers: 16-18 years Caprice for Clarinets Clare Crundman Scherzetto, Pavane Cordon Jacob and Gopak King Edward is a sixth-form college, taking students from the Metropolitan Borough ol Dudley as well as other neighbouring authorities. Music plays an important part in the life of the college with ten concerts a year given by the students as well as occasional recitals by visiting musicians. The main activities are the orchestra, string orchestra, wind band and choir and a number of chamber groups or&anised by tlle students themselves. Two other important ensembles are the Sinfonia and Collegiate Wind Orche tra, both of which include former as well as present students. The clarinet quartet is one of four chamber group from lfle college invited to play in the National Festival of Music for Youth last July. The college has now had over fifty groups perfoIDling at the Festival, stretching back over seventeen years. Caprice for Clarinets Clare Crundman This is one of many works written for wind ensemble by the American composer, Clare Grundman. Altbough the first player dominates particularly in the slower middle section, all the parts are of interest in thislively little piece. Scherzetto, Pavane and Gopak Cordon Jacob The English composer Gordon Jacob is also well known for his compositions and arrangenltmt for wind. OrigiIlally written as 'Three Short Pieces for Four Clarinets', the Scherzetto, Pavane and Gopak are full of good tunes, interesting harmonies and are fun to play.
LADY MANNERS SCHOOL SENIOR WIND BAND, BAKEWELL Musical Director: Sonja Smith Age range of performers: 12-18 years Swiss Festival Overture Philip Sparke Lady Manners, in spite of its name, is a large mixed comprehensive school situated in Bakewell, in the centre of the Peak District. It takes pupils from a wide rural area. Besides the Senior Wind Band, the Music Department runs two other bands, an orchestra, string groups, two large choirs involving over 300 pupils and a variety of chamber groups. The Senior Wind Band consists of approximately sixty players, ranging in age from 11 to 18. They provide music for the local community as well as for the usual school activities. Thev are not too proud to perform anywhere, and 'venues have ranged from Chatsworth and Haddon Hall to car boot sales and the Square in Bakewell when they are short of money! Swiss Festival Overture Pililip Spark!' This overture by Philip Sparke was composed in 1989 for the Canton Music Festival in Langenthal. It starts majestically with answering fanfares for trumpets and trombones and a cadenza for euphonium. This is followed by the main vivo section in which two very contra ting themes, one syncopated and lively, the otller legato and flowing, are introduced and later developed. The mu ic finishe with a brief presto section in which the whole band builds up to a loud climax.
LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY & L1HE BIG BAND Musical Director: Sieve Cook Soloists: Lallra Rossi, Chloe Mullet, Bryan Corbelt, Cathy Crossfield, and Sieve Saville Age range of performers: 17-21 years Alexander's Big Time Band Tom Kubis Orange Coloured Sky OeLlIgg alld Stern, arr. Roger Holmes One Man Band Bob Mi111zer TIlere has been a student big band in Liverpool for the past fifteen years. The present band, as you see and hear it tod"y, was established five years ago by Musica.! Director, Steve Cook. Members are aged from 17 to 21 years and are drawn from the various Higher Educational establishments in the city, performing regularly arolUld the Merseyside area. The band has recently embarked upon a 'Jazz in Education' initiative. This venture enables the band to give younger musicians the opportunity to experience this type of music via workshops and concerts in their schools. The band also eI,courages members to compose and arrange their 0111'11 music, and develop their own improvisatory skiUs. Alexander's Big Time Band Tom Kllbis Thi exciting and dynamic chart is based I . e1y on TIving Berlin's 'Alexander's Ragtime Band . It has some challenging ensemble work for all, a well as the opportunity to reature a oloist or two. A real 'swinger' that will set your feet tapping! Orange Coloured Sky OcLlIgg alld Stern, arr. Roger Holmes This jazz standard really lets their vocalist shine, in an arrangement recently recorded by Natalie Cole. With a catchy tune, light-hearted lyrics and driving ensemble section, this number is a real show-stopper. One Man Band Bob Minlzer A olid funk charl that really grooves along, composed by one of the leading contemporary big band writers. It features an unusual bass trombone and bass guitar duel, complex ensemble work and a great rip,roaring tenor sax solo.
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