Recording 2007     

During the weekend of the 16th and 17th July, the Band once again headed to the music suite at Ackworth School to record their latest CD. The main piece to be recorded was the Band's commission from Philip Wilby - Reformers - in preparation for the premiere performance of the piece later this year. Part of the Band's contribution in achieving the funding for this piece from Kingston Upon Hull City Council, was to record the piece, prior to it's premiere. After looking at several companies, the Band engaged Doyen Recordings Limited to record and produce this CD, and would like to thank the team of Keith Farrington, Richard Scott, and Shaun Trotter, for their help over the weekend. The Band would also like to thank Rhiannon Davies for the use of her music suite.

Whilst the Band settle in and warm up, Richard Scott works on the positioning of the microphones.

As preparations continue, we should point out the Euphonium sections colour coordinated shirts. (Friday night - green, Saturday - yellow, and Sunday - Pink).

Erin, John, Andy, and Neil.

Neil runs his solo through prior to recording, under the watchful eye of producer Keith.

Relaxed? No, just look at the concentration on his face as a technical hitch is sorted out.

It's up there, somewhere.....

And then, under no pressure, but under the watchful eyes of the whole of the production team, Neil continues his test run.

 Lunch time arrived, and the local chippy did a roaring trade.

Who needs computer imagery? Take two twigs and a little imagination, and you have a yellow reindeer behind you.

Oswald Mosley may have had his black shirts, but we have a growing band (That pun wasn't intended.................much) of yellow shirts. Steve Gibson models the original, joined by Andy and Joshua.

After the picnic, time for a quick fashion chat - are stripes in or out this year?

Watch out Steve, they're creeping up behind you.

And then it was time to settle down for the afternoon - Julia was obviously very determined to get into the picture.

The back row - the calm before the storm.

And speaking of storms - here is the shed department.

And now the posed version - Jonathon (Principal Percussionist), Shaun (Grinning idiot and Trainee Shed-builder) and James (Junior Sink fitter).

The view from behind the back row, as the Band prepares for the next take.

 You play that bit, and I'll have a rest, and then I'll do this part......

All sorted, and almost the end of the first day.

With impeccable timing, we stopped recording and for the umpteenth time this weekend, the heavens opened again. Fortunately, there was a hostelry nearby in which we could seek shelter.

 Nice to see that your reflective safety stripes work.

Quick smile, there's a camera out. Vicki - don't stand like that, you look like one of the two Ron's.

 That's better, but next time try smiling, and standing still at the same time!

Not sure if this is the post mortem table, but Mel looks suspiciously like she is doing an impression of Jim.

Saturday night came and went, many of the Band went for a curry and then settled down to watch Tiswas Reunited. 

The very next morning........

There is either a technical problem, or Keith is praying that the cornets start using conventional fingerings, instead of continental ones.

Steve said the wrong thing, and was sent out to sit in the corridor.

The Reformers actually calls for an off stage cornettist, and this was the best way to record that effect.

To try and prove that our percussionists are 'proper' musicians, James performed a theme and variations on 'Sunshine Mountain', whilst Jonathon thought just placing his head on the piano would count.

And in a reversal of roles here some of the see how the percussionists cope with their vast toy selection. Note the two pink shirted Euphonium players.

And all of a sudden, everything was recorded, and it was time to pack up, and find some lunch. The Band would also like to thank our sponsors - The East Yorkshire Motor Services Group - for the use of their van to transport the percussion equipment.

The CD will be released on Tuesday 30th October, to coincide with the premiere of the Reformers, at the City Hall, Hull. As well as the Reformers the following pieces were recorded.

1) The Mask of Zorro - James Horner arr. Sandy Smith

2) Concert Piece For Trombone – Alexandre Guilmant arr. Ray Steadman-Allen (Soloist - Mark Unsworth)

3) Symphonic Suite From Walt Disney Pictures’ Pirates Of The Caibbean:Dead Man’s Chest (Jack Sparrow, The Kraken, Davy Jones, I’ve Got My Eye On You, Wheel Of Fortune) Hans Zimmer arr. Jay Bocock Scored for brass band by John Blanken

4) Caravan – Music by Duke Ellington/Juan Tizol, Words by Irving Mills arr. Steve Sykes

5) Benedictus from The Armed Man – Karl Jenkins arr. Tony Small (Soloist - Neil Johnson) 

6) Carnival of Venice – James Benedict/Harry James arr Mark Freeh (Soloist - Steve Rudhall)

7) Ol’ Man River – Music by Jerome Kern, Words by Oscar Hammerstein II arr. Mark Freeh

8) Reformers – Philip Wilby

1)     The Clapham Marches

2)     Sermon on John Newton’s Hymn “Amazing Grace”

3)     Cadenza and Reprise 

9) Winter – Antonio Vivaldi arr Howard Snell

10) Everybody Needs Somebody – Jerry Wexler/Bert Berns/Solomon Burke arr Thijs Oud

11) Singin’ In The Rain – Nacio Herb Brown, arr Alan Fernie

12) A Time For Peace – Peter Graham (Soloist - Kathy Newiss)

13) Fanfare And Flourishes for a festive occasion – James Curnow

14) Malaguena - Ernesto Lecuona arr. Mark Freeh

The Band for the recording was:-

The Band would also like to thank the guest players that helped on this recording, on Soprano - Geoff Hawley, on BBb Bass - Shaun Roache, and on Flugel for the first session - Mick Kennedy.

Pictures by Mark Unsworth

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