Flowers give banding debut at Three Choirs Festival
The Flowers Band recently made banding history by being the first brass band to appear at the prestigious Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester. The band was one of the select group of featured ensembles invited by Artistic Director Alexis Patterson, taking part in the opening procession and service, playing a short slot at Kyneburgh Tower before then leading to Gloucester Cathedral. A small ensemble from the band also performed with the festival choir in the opening service conducted by Adrian Partington, before the whole band gave a short family friendly concert in the local bandstand to conclude the day.
The following day was also action packed with Flowers appearing in a 'Magic & Mischief' concert in Cheltenham alongside artist and storyteller James Mayhew. Under guest conductor Jayne Murrill, they provided the musical accompaniment of 'Scheherazade', 'Baba Yaga' and 'The Great Gate of Kiev', 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' and 'The Firebird Suite', as James produced artwork live as the band played.
For the band’s final instalment at the Festival Flowers chose a demanding programme, which delighted the capacity filled Gloucester Cathedral, this time led by guest conductor Michael Fowles. Works included 'Cloudcatcher Fells' by John McCabe, as well 'Fanfares & Love Songs' by Forest of Dean composer Gavin Higgins and Liz Lane's 'Tide and Time'.
Vaughan Williams' 'English Folk Songs Suite' was balanced by Jan van der Roost's 'Canterbury Chorale', 'Nimrod' from Elgar's 'Enigma Variations' and his 'Pomp and Circumstance No 1'. A spokesperson for the band commented, "Our involvement was a major artistic undertaking and our thanks go to our guest conductors Jayne Murrill and Michael Fowles for their direction and leadership."
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