Past Engagements

4 barsrest Review 11/4/05
Wormshead Brass
Band Stand Concert Millennium Centre Foyer, Cardiff
Sunday April 3rd

On Sunday afternoon, Wormshead Brass ensemble took to the stage to provide the ‘Band Stand' concert at the incredible Wales Millennium Centre. This concert constituted the official debut of Wormshead Brass and would be the first time the public could hear this new addition to the musical scene and brass playing fraternity of South Wales.

The Millennium Centre foyer is a large space surrounded by balconies that sport the exit doors from the auditorium. The stage is small and portable but raises the ensemble up sufficiently for the audience all around the foyer to be able to enjoy the performances that are put on. At one hour long the concerts have no prerequisite for an interval and this can prove quite challenging for a brass band or ensemble, and although no programmes are provided, Wormshead Brass distributed some postcard size business cards giving the sizable audience something to hold onto.

Surrounded by the bustle of the Millennium Centre foyer restaurants and shops, members Bob Ferriman, Laurence Davies, Nick Smith, Jonathan Pippen and Simon Howell launched themselves into the brass quintet favourite ‘Die Bankelsangerleider', a baroque classic, arranged by Robert King, which was followed immediately with the Overture to Purcell's Opera ‘Dido and Aneas', arranged by Andy Duncan. The opening of the Overture displayed tuba and trombone in octaves and the double dotted rhythms in the trumpets were flawless. Attention grasped, the allegro was underway and the calibre of the ensemble became clear. Ensemble and intonation were excellent, and perhaps helped and certainly not hindered by the acoustics of the Millennium Centre, whose acoustic seemed to suit a small ensemble. There was plenty of control, and none of the players ever stood out – the balance was very neatly portrayed, and it was obvious that we were listening to an ensemble of seasoned professionals.

Scott Joplin's music featured next in his ‘New Rag'. Alan Hathaway joined the ensemble on drum kit for this number which although delivered splendidly some how didn't come off the page like the overture. This was certainly not down the playing however as Bob Ferriman on trumpet was a classy performer indeed. Needless to say a completely clean performance by Bob helped to affirm the level of musicianship and competence the ensemble had.

A more classical genre in the form of the Holst ‘First Suite in F' arranged by David Sabourin followed. Jonathan Pippen picked up the euphonium for the first movement and was featured playing the extensive solo from the original. Some controversy for the purists here as Jonathan played without the use no vibrato, but in this genre, it suited the music so well. No points in a band contest perhaps, as it would have been described as a ‘bit cold' but here the orchestral euphonium sound was right at home.

Simon Howell and Jonathan Pippen then played tenor and bass tuba in octaves which give the audience a very powerful almost organ like quality to the bass line. The second movement ‘Song without Words' is a trombone feature, and the third ‘Blacksmiths Song' lets us hear Mr Hathaway on the Anvil (or was it a car wheel??).

Finished off with the most famous movement ‘Fantasia on the Dargason' the fourth movement, with a predominant horn part giving the melody, went without hitch, with the styles of quavers interlocking and mirroring each other all the way through. The Holst is quite a long work for a gig like this, but it was conveyed with conviction and obvious enjoyment.

An in house arrangement by Nick Smith of ‘Can't Take my Eyes of You' featured the silky flugel sound of Laurence Davies. Laurence had stepped in at the last minute to cover for Terry Lax who was ill, and delivered this number with the skill and conviction that we have come to expect from such a master of the trumpet. .

Another Nick Smith arrangement followed, this time of a Scarlatti ‘Sonata,' which returned us back to the classical quintet repertoire and style, which was excellently delivered. Wormshead Brass seem to have tapped a valuable resource in Nick Smith as his arrangements seemed to be well constructed, skilfully orchestrated and suited the players of this ensemble down to the ground.

‘My Heart Ever Faithful' by J.S Bach took the ensemble still further back in time to the Baroque with the horn and trombone in perfect balance but as always when playing with a French horn the trombone needed to be extra careful in the extremely quiet dynamics. Steven Roberts arrangement of ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square' featured every member of the ensemble. The melody switched between instruments and the guys obviously worked very hard to ensure togetherness at all times. More of a contrast with the ‘Toreador's Song' from Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ and this was quite obviously a trombone solo - although it would have been nice to see the soloist stand up. However this didn't detract from the music, although we detected perhaps a little discomfort in some if the semiquaver accompaniment.

An hour later, the last number was an arrangement of ‘Come Follow the Band' and the players proceeded to plug the ensemble's website and thank everyone for listening to the ensemble. ‘Come Follow the Band' was a fitting ending to an entertaining hour of music from this ensemble that is perhaps already is one of the leading ensembles in the Principality. A brass ensemble made up of players of this standard, who are not tied down to full time orchestral or teaching jobs is something very rare and may give Wormshead Brass the edge they need to rise above the rest in their field. This was a fine concert delivered by professional musicians who were obviously enjoying the job they were doing. An eclectic mixture of experience and youth has lead to a musical presence that sounds interesting and exciting while remaining completely controlled and professional. We will watch these guys with interest in the future.

Mike Hughes

4 bars rest Review 27/7/05
REVIEWS: Published: 5-Aug-2005
Wormshead Top Brass
All Saints' Church Oystermouth
Wednesday 27th July

All Saints' Church Oystermouth was the venue for a lunch time concert by Wormshead Top Brass, the first appearance of the group in the Swansea area. This recently formed Brass Quintet, with percussionist Alan Hathaway, presented a richly varied programme of works ranging from Bach and Scarlatti through to Gershwin and Hoddinott.

Inevitably most of the pieces performed were transcriptions, several of them cleverly arranged by Nick Smith, the group's French horn player. Rather than move chronologically the programme juxtaposed old and new in a seemingly random way. Thus Bach stood next to Gershwin; music by Holst was followed by Jack Simpson's 'On the Track'; while a transcription of a keyboard sonata by Scarlatti was followed by Alun Hoddinott's 'Quodlibet on Welsh Nursery Rhymes'. Yet far from lying uncomfortably together each work seemed to assume a heightened sense of character by being heard alongside works from very different musical periods and in very different styles.

Throughout the hour long recital the playing of the quintet was assured with each of the players showing individual skill and, occasionally, considerable virtuosity; even the tuba playing of Wilfrid Driscoll was no less delicate or fleet of foot than the well articulated utterances of the higher instruments.

The playing of the ensemble, undemonstratively directed by Robert Ferriman, was excellent throughout. It captured the imagination of the hugely appreciative audience who would gladly have remained in their seats for another hour or more to listen to playing of such high calibre.

John Hugh-Thomas OBE

4 bars rest article 7/2/06
Wormshead meet Prudence

Jonathan Pippen and his Wormshead Brass recently took to the stage to perform for the pleasure of old Prudence Chancellor Gordon Brown and his friends in London.

Wormshead Top Brass continues to expand their portfolio with their first foray into the world of corporate entertainment.

On January 31st Wormshead Top Brass performed at “The London Party”, the most senior networking event of the year for the London business pressure group, London First.

Wormshead Top Brass, led by trumpeters Bob Ferriman and Terry Lax, performed three sets of light music classics and hits from the shows such as ‘You Make Me Feel So Young’ and ‘A Chorus Line Medley’.

These were interspersed by speeches from leading members of the business community including special guest speaker, The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown. The event took place in Cardinal Place, a major new office and retail development in Victoria Street, London.

Wormshead Top Brass, featuring horn player Nick Smith and trombonist Jonathan Pippen and backed by regular guest percussionist Alan Hathaway on kit, were sited in front of a massive glass wall through which the spectacular vista of Westminster Cathedral formed a dramatic back drop.

Wormshead Top Brass was joined for this performance by top London freelance tuba player David Powell. There is no truth in the rumour that the indisposition of the quintet’s regular tuba player, Wilf Driscoll, was met with relief from the caterers. Wormshead Top Brass has a busy schedule ahead with recitals, charity events, wedding entertainment and education projects. Now they can also offer corporate entertainment and what better way to celebrate British business than with great British brass playing