Windblowers in the Community

NSW Celebrate Silver Jubilee in Style! (17th November 2012)

Bands raised the roof in finale.
Nottingham Symphonic Winds
Albert Hall
William Ruff

The Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra joined forces with their sister band, the Nottingham Wind Ensemble, to celebrate their Silver Jubilee on Saturday night.
If at times and the effect was a tad over the top, then it just added to the sense that here was community music making at its best. Not only were sights set on fine musicianship, but also on raising money for good causes and quite simply on having fun.
Among the highlights of the NSW programme was 'Equus' by Eric Whitacre, a piece that vividly captures the spectacle of stampeding horses.
Alistair Parnell was the charismatic, highly virtuosic soloist in the 'Concerto for Alto Sax' by Ronald binge while, enshrinied at the more reflective core of the programme, came a new piece composed by conductor Keiron Anderson, 'Praeludium' dedicated to "Margaret and David", the bands' guiding lights and inspiration.
The Ensemble performed a stiring rendition of Howard Shore's 'Lord of the Rings Suite'.
When the two bands played together at the end, they raised the roof with suitably festive 'British Sea Songs' and Parry's 'Jerusalem'.