Nottingham Playday

14 May 2011

Heading the day"s vibrant programme was a new work by British composer Philip Sparke. ‘A Nottingham Festival’ has been commissioned by Nottingham Concert Band to mark its anniversary, thanks to funding from Flint Bishop Solicitors.

Held in Wollaton’s Kingswood Methodist Church, the Playday was steered by Robert Parker, supported by a team of instrumental specialists. Annette Negus worked with the flutes and oboes, Chris McDouall with the clarinets and bassoons, Colin Smith with the brass section and Ashley Parnell with the percussionists, whilst Robert himself ran sectionals for the horn and saxophone players.

The day closed with a celebratory tea party and an informal performance for band friends, families and the local community. The audience were treated to some exclusive "bites’ from ‘A Nottingham Festival’, supported by extracts from Finzi’s ‘Lyric Suite’, ‘New York’ by Nigel Hess, the Wasson arrangement of Badelt’s themes from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, and ‘Goldilocks’ - a fairy tale with a twist featuring guest narrator David Machell.