Leigh News
Wingates treat for brass fans at Atherton
9:00am Saturday 18th February 2012
THE audience thoroughly enjoyed being treated to something completely different when Wingates Band were in concert on Sunday at the Formby Hall, Atherton.
Conductor Andy Berryman who had returned from Norway earlier in the day got events off to a start with a selection of hymns which included ‘Whitburn’ and ‘Innocence’ and a couple chosen by the audience. Then followed an Alan Withington arrangement of Carl Orff’s ‘Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi’.
Wingates own player/composer Andrew Baker had a number featured entitled ‘Short Ride in a Brass Machine’. This was a piece Andrew had written as an entry into a competition organised by Brighouse & Rastrick Band to celebrate its 125th anniversary.
The first half concluded with a suite from ‘Hymn of the Highlands’ by Philip Sparke which included ‘Ardross Castle’, ‘Alladale’ and 'Dundonald’.
The second half began with the Band playing Philip Sparkes arrangement of Neal Hefti’s ‘Cute’ as they walked on to the stage and settled into their allocated places only to find that principal cornet player Andy MacDonald had a most unusual blockage to contend with which was all part of the act. This was followed by something of a world musical tour beginning in Russia with P.Kitson's arrangement of Shostakovich’s ‘Festive Overture’. Next came a flavour of Mexico/Spain in the form of Simon Kerwins ‘Flamenco’ featuring soloist Andy MacDonald on trumpet and then on to Norway for a rendition of Torstein Aagard-Neilsons ‘Viae Lux’ which featured flugel horn player Kirsten Broadhurst.
Andy Berryman, on solo bagpipes accompanied by Matt Sale conducting, played his own arrangements of ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘Leaving Loch Maddy’ and ‘Highland Cathedral’ all of which received a rapturous applause.
To complete this ‘completely different’ concert the audience witnessed Wingates playing Andy Duncan’s ‘Money makes the World go Round’ during which a session of whistling, singing and general mayhem occurred in great style and certainly entertaining.
The next concert on Sunday, (February 19) at Formby Hall (7-30pm) features Old Pemberton ‘B’ Band.
Wingates Band returns on Sunday, April 29at 2-00pm to perform ‘Matinee – Matinee’.