Read through my most recent articles:

• A year of Progress
• Review: Nottingham Symphonic Winds, Lakeside Arts Centre

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Charity Concert

Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra
Albert Hall, Nottingham
Sunday 10th October 2010
6:00pm

Americana

Phoenix Concert Band
Yeadon Methodist Church, Leeds
Saturday 16th October 2010
7:30pm

See more upcoming events.

Learn about the ensembles I've had involvement in:

• Harlequin Brass Ensemble
• Leeds College of Music Wind Ensemble
• National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain
• Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra
• Phoenix Concert Band
• Yorkshire Wind Orchestra

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Yes, it is time to get the Christmas Programmes out again and with three of my groups performing concerts there will be a lot of music. NSWO are welcoming Santa in a shopping mall in Nottingham and although that type of performance fills me with trepidation, it is important that they get the most from the day. There could be a lot of people there and you never know who is listening. Once I was in a city centre venue with Harlequin Brass and they impressed a local artist who booked them for an event with a four figure fee. At Nottingham there will be radio, TV and local business people. The orchestra is clearly very good and if they are allowed to impress, they will. I like the music to be played well, I like it to be well rehearsed and interesting to listen to but even I have to push myself to play some of it; which is quite ironic when you consider the general repertoire of City Lights which earned me a living for twenty years.

Saying that, there are some excellent seasonal pieces around. Neil Richardson has done a wonderfully BBC type medley with challenges in all sections. Many of the selections from shows are excellent arrangements by top arrangers. There is a lot that musicians can gain from playing this music well and I have to get on with it and make sure that the groups get the opportunity to entertain as well as develop. There is already an article on this site which maps out a strategy for getting it right at Christmas. I think I may have to go back and read it!