30th Bithday Concert

July 12th 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restormel Concert Band

 

 

 

 

 

 

CORNISH GUARDIAN JULY 2nd 2008

Range of Musical Tastes

St John's Methodist Church review by Kirstie Newton

An evening with Restormel Concert Band certainly keeps the audience on its toes. Covering a wide variety of styles, from popular to classical, jazz to gospel, there really is something to appeal to all tastes. At St John's Mehtodist Church in St Austell, we were transported to the movies, via a jolly arrangement of the theme to The Flintstones, and a swinging selection from The Jungle Book. We were offered more orchestral numbers, from La Calinda by Delibes to Elgar's Nimrod. We flew around the world, from Lara's Granada to Russia thanks to Khatachurian's Sabre Dance.

The concert was punctuated by solo performances - an accomplished rendition of Mozart's Andante in C Major by Kate Whetter, who skillfully revisited the Flintstones theme into her cadenza; a slick vibraphone number from Alastair Hendry; a rib tickling, pitch-perfect Joyce Grenfell take-off by Heather Vaughan.

 

Under the baton of David Hendry, the band delivered a polished, enjoyable and varied evening of entertainment. They were joined by the White River Gospel Choir who, under the direction of Philip Walker, gave an astonishingly confident performance on their debut outing, just six rehearsals after forming. Their soulful numbers were enhanced by some plucky young soloists; only the hardest of hearts could have remained unmoved.

 

 

 

 

  

RESTORMEL BAND BRINGS FESTIVE CHEER 

 

CORNISH GUARDIAN DEC.20th 2006

CORNISH GUARDIAN DEC.20TH. 2006

 Sarah Carey

 

Christmas  cheer was in the air at St. Columb Minor Church as Restormel Concert band struck up a tune.Delighting audiences aged 8 to 98, who all left with a spring in their step, the varied repertoire really did have something for everyone.

Host, the rev. Chris McQuillen Wright, said: 'The light trills of the flutes and piccolos lifted the spirits of the audience.'Beginning with an arrangement of Christmas favourites by Andersen, the band set out their stall to entertain.'From there the band changed tack, drifting from the melodic Alfie to Pavanne by Faure, followed by rousing and powerful renditions of Gershwin's I got rhythm.The Rev. McQuillen Wright said, ' We also had Sinatra's Christmas and a Big Band Spectacular which lifted the roof off.'

'And within it all a shining beacon of Christmas reflection with the gentle Bleak Midwinter with its delicate use of clarinets, brought a tear to the eye..'

With Saturday night TV viewing being dominated by Strictly Come Dancing, the band also treated the audience to a Bruce Forsythe tribute with El Relicario by Padilla.Alongside the beautiful Deep River the evening left the audience with a feel-good factor for which the band received a standing ovation.Hidden behind a Christmas tree, Win Wright led the sing-along with Winter Wonderland and I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas.She was supported by Heather Vaughn with a Joyce Grenfel treat and members of the village who performed hand-bell ringing a la Les Dawson.

The Rev. McQuillen Wright said: 'This was a typical concert by the band who have as their hallmark the inclusion of guest artists and audience participation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Band offers a range of full-bodied music at Keay

 

CORNISH GUARDIAN JULY 6th 2006

A thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent in the company of Restormel Concert Band at Keay Theatre, St Austell, writes Carolyn Thomas

Presenting an ‘Evening of Midsummer Music’, the 40-strong, talented community band delighted the audience with its range of music – everything from classical and big band pieces to film music and even disco.

Under the leadership of David Hendry the full-bodied sound filled the cozy theatre beautifully. Particular highlights were the spirited Virtuosity which show-cased trumpeter Brent Smith; the Big Band Spectacular and a medley from Saturday Night Fever in which brass instruments seemed to melt together. Many of the pieces were performed in public for the first time by the band whose members come from Truro , St Austell, Newquay and surrounding areas.

Mr. Hendry said they were lucky to have new percussion instruments, including a large bass drum and xylophone played by a young trio of boys; Alastair Hendry, aged 14; Hans Wehmeyer, age 13 and Sam Williams, aged 14, led by the percussion ‘Akela’ Heather Vaughan.

And they proved they were rhythm-perfect in Gershwin's I’ve got Rhythm. Simon Evans swapped his clarinet for a microphone, crooning along to the concert band’s ‘little big band’ Beyond the Sea. Classical offerings included Franz Von Suppe’s Poet and Peasant Overture and the Tartarian Dances  by Elena Roussanova Lucas. Special guests for the night – adding some inevitable sparkle – were the Champagne Cornwall Ladies Chorus with a whole host of songs, wowing the audience with their tantalizing harmonies. Youngest members Lauren Bailey, aged 10, and Roisin McHaykhines, aged eight, received a huge round of applause when they performed with the sextet Spritzer.

A star for the night was 19-year-old Aaron Kitts, with his passionate renditions of Empty Chairs and Empty tables from Les Miserables (enough to give you goose-bumps) and the Anthem from Chess.

He has a voice which is surely destined for the West End stage- but Aaron could apparently do with some much deserved sponsorship to go to drama school first.

Early in the evening David Hendry said ‘Aren’t we lucky to have so much talent in Cornwall .’ We most certainly are.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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