The members and conductor of Brassband Rijnmond enjoyed participating in the Premier Brass music spectacle.

Prior to the concert, the Amsterdam Staff Band and Brassband Rijnmond rehearsed in the afternoon with the British tuba virtuoso Les Neish. This internationally known soloist, a master of his instrument, made a great impression on the musicians present with his virtuoso playing.

After completing their work, the band was treated by host Salvation Army to a delicious Indian buffet provided by Rumah Munsel.

The concert was opened by the Amsterdam Staff Band led by guest conductor Carl Saunders, bandmaster of the Household Troops Band of the Salvation Army. The band presented a beautiful program with recognizable Salvation Army themes such as “A Fantasy of Joy” and “The Candle of The Lord”. Together with soloist Les Neish, the challenging tuba solo “Quicksilver” by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, written especially for solo tuba player Perry Hoogendijk, was played. The performance ended with the impressive “Rhapsody on St. Francis” by Andrew Wainwright, in which the band showed how beautiful a brass band can sound.

Brassband Rijnmond has the honor of continuing the program under the direction of conductor Luc Vertommen and accompanying soloist Les Neish in, among other things, the “Tuba Concerto” by Martin Ellerby. This was followed by the beautiful duet “The Prayer” with Les Neish on tuba and our own Danieke Faber on euphonium, as if Céline Dion and Andrea Bocelli themselves were on stage. To enjoy! Brassband Rijnmond's program including “Riding to Olwen”, “Prelude on Lavenham” and “Nordic Polska” was well received by the audience. To reinforce the new status as Dutch champion, the program ended with the march “The Champions” by Maj. G.H. Willcocks, of course with the cup prominently on stage!

Premier Brass traditionally concluded with a joint 'massed bands' performance including “Kerygma” by Steven Ponsford”, “Hora Staccato” in a version specially arranged for Les Neish and the well-known Salvation Army march “In The Firing Line”.

Brassband Rijnmond would like to thank the Amsterdam Staff Band, Tuba Artist Les Neish and the Salvation Army Vlaardingen for the invitation to the beautiful Premier Brass event and the warm welcome and perfect organization!

Foto's gemaakt door: Paola Klepke