Monday 8 December 2014

CHRISTMAS BRASS BAND CONCERT

A permanent wave of silver hair rippled across the auditorium on Friday marking the start of the Christmas season for us. It was the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama's annual brass band concert at St David's Hall. A very jolly programme included Santa Claus-Trophobia, by Sandy Smith, A Christmas Fantasy by Gordon Langford, and tunes by James Last, Leroy Anderson and others with audience participation singing the usual popular carols. 
     All the students dressed up, decorated their instruments with gold and red tinsel, some wore santa  hats and reindeer ears. There were outstanding solo performances by Megan Alexander, Matthew Fletcher and Grant Jameson, conducted by Dr Robert Childs, a leading figure in the world of brass music. It was a really fun hour of entertainment.  The band will be playing again at the RWCMD this Friday, 12 December at 1.15pm. If you want cheering up, don't miss it!

Monday 1 December 2014

REMEMBERING AUGUST

On Friday we saw the duo Remembering August at Acapela Studios in Pentyrch. Jesse Hallett (vox piano and Luke Searle (vox, acoustic guitar and mouth organ) are both 19 and met studying music at Bridgend College. Although they were the support group to singer-songwriter Louise Latham, their original sounds, genuine emotions and beautiful harmonies made the evening special for us. They were launching their first EP, 'Brother.'  On the cover they state,
      'This is a collection of songs that express our emotions and feelings over the past six months. From loss of friendship, love and our relationship with each other. Through these songs we hope you will understand us a little more.'
     We wish them good luck. Acapela has an instinct for promoting quality and I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot more from them in the future. Where's Jools Holland's scout?