After a great days banding at the icon Brangwyn Hall in Swansea, Crwbin claimed 3rd place in a highly competitive field. This result should see the band promoted to the 2nd division once more. Congratulations to all the players and thank you for letting me work with you on this contest - here's to many more!
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Once again it will be my privilege to lead Crwbin to this annual competition this weekend performing Bulla's Chroale and Toccata. The band have worked exceptionally hard since September on this work and it's in great shape ahead of what will no doubt be a stern test against some fantastic bands. Best of luck to all competing at the Brangwyn.
Much has been going on musically since the beginning of the year. A brief rundown follows;
I have had a new work published, a concert opener for brass band called Take to the Skies A commission completed for the Band of the Prince of Wales, to be performed in Brecon later this year Another commission completed for Slough Brass Band, a concert opener entitled Colours High My first engagement as Musical Director of the South Wales Police Band at a medal Ceremony at Margam Park and most humbling of all, my confirmation as Director of Music of the National Police Memorial Service from 2024 onwards. This post will give me the privilege of arranging the music to accompany this annual service, a service which is vital for the recognition and remembrance of those who have passed defending our society and keeping us safe. Following the death of our beloved sovereign Queen Elizabeth II I felt compelled to mark the occasion with a musical tribute of my own. Elizabethan Lament, published by Larch Music was composer rather like a stream of consciousness, sitting at the piano and allowing the music to form as I reflected on Her incredible life. The final section is a reworking of the British National Anthem, taking its rhythms and reimagining the melody to be more reflective, the harmony more poignant. The final plagal cadence underlines our late Queen's faith and services to remind us that though she has gone, there is much to remember and be grateful for. Thank you Ma'am.
I'm delighted and honoured to announce that I have been given the rights to create both a Brass Band and Wind Band arrangement of this classic, anthemic song just in time to help celebrate Wales' forthcoming appearance at the Football World Cup!
While the result may not have been what we wanted I'm still incredibly proud of the performance Crwbin gave on stage. Onwards and upwards to the Regionals and Bulla's Chroale & Toccata Thanks to Larch Music for having my music on the stands including a newly published work - My Little Welsh Home, which is a theme and variations on this hauntingly beautiful Welsh melody
Delighted to say may latest work is published. Far From Home tells the story of the welsh who went to fight in the Falklands. From their departure to a fitting conclusion marrying welsh melodies with the Last Post the work tell of their prayers, hope and valour.
Available for Brass Band and Wind Band I am deeply honoured to have been commissioned to write and arrange a number of pieces for this year's National Police Memorial Day.
The event, which moves around the home nations of the UK will take place in Belfast this year and I have been commissioned to arrange the hymns, a harmonised last post and to compose original music for before the service. In addition, I have been asked to pen a fanfare to be played to announce the arrival of HRH The Prince of Wales. It will be a privilege to provide music for such an important event. https://www.nationalpolicememorialday.org/index.html Am delighted that Kiddlington Concert Brass have accepted my commission - Scramble. Written to commemorate RAF Kiddlington's contribution to WWII this work, for Solo cornet and brass band, depicts a young pilot being roused from troubled sleep to take to the skies.
The band will be premiering the work in the Autumn. Y Barcud Coch (The Red Kite) will be played by Crwbin during their entertainment programme at the National Eisteddfod at the end of July. The work, inspired by the beauty of these magnificent birds takes the listener on a musical jouurny through the air; gliding, wheeling, swooping and chasing while also referencing their fragility and continued persecution from those who see them as a pest.
The work will feature in a programme also containing music by John Williams, Mozart and Alan Fernie. |
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April 2024
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