Chris Helme
John Ambrose Greenwood - known to his friends as Johnnie Greenwood. Born in 1876 in Cheshire - cornet player, conductor, band trainer, adjudicator, composer and arranger. He also had a way with words: 'When this elderly white haired gentleman came to the band room Derek Mitchell, the former conductor of the City of Chester Band recalls the day coming face to face with Mr Greenwood. Having been asked to conduct the band in the late 40’s – The day Mr Greenwood was at the rehearsal. Derek recalls in particular when he asked the back row cornets to play their parts (Eric Ball’s test piece ‘Divertimento’) – after a few moments of listening to their efforts and after some careful thought. He looked at Derek, the 2nd cornet player, then aged 11 and said to him - ” Is that cornet insured lad”, not knowing what to say, Derek sat open mouthed, just staring at him. Mr Greenwood then said “If it is insured lad – chuck it under a bus and get yourself a new one”. The great man had spoken...
This week our photograph is the composer Peter Graham - you are assured of a quality piece of music whether it a contest test piece or something for the concert repertoire when ever you see his name at the top right hand side of your part.... and the two tracks on this show are testament to just how good his music is for both the audience and players alike.... Enjoy
Jack Mackintosh was born in Sunderland on 22.Sept 1891. He was a more or less self-taught cornet player from the age of six years picking up a cornet fortuitously left lying around the house. His first professional engagement at the age of 15 was at the Hamilton Picture House where he played to the silent films twice nightly and a matinee performance for 35 shillings a week. He caught rheumatic fever in 1907, which took one year of discipline and exercise to overcome. Jack joined Hetton Colliery at the Crystal Palace in 1912 and joined the front-row cornet section of St. Hilda's lead by Arthur Laycock in 1913. Jack joined Harton Colliery after they won at Belle Vue in 1919 and was their solo cornetist through to 1930. In the same year he was invited to join the BBC Symphony Orchestra and on retirement in 1952 his son Ian Mackintosh took his place in the trumpet section leaving Jack time to concentrate on teaching at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall. He died in 1979.
This week's photograph shows a young lad standing at the front who went on to be one of the best ever cornet players - He was the principal cornet at Black Dyke Mills Band between 1956 - 1961. He was the principal trumpet at the London Symphony Orchestra from 1977 to 2007......... On this show he is playing Herbert Lincoln Clarke's cornet solo The Debutante where he is accompanied by the Black Dyke Mills Band...... He is Maurice Murphy.....
This week's photograph is Louis Allison who was the end chair cornet player at Black Dyke Mills Band before the First World War.
On behalf of everyone at Sunday Bandstand we wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to your company listening to our show each week.....
This week's photograph is Cornishman Fred Roberts who was the principal cornet at Brighouse and Rastrick for 17 years and gave cornet lessons to a young lad called Derek Garside... Fred was invited to be the bandmaster at the newly formed CWS (Manchester) Band in 1947 (working with the band's new professional conductor Eric Ball) where he was joined by his protege Derek Garside. Fred eventually returned to Cornwall where he conducted a number of prominent bands in the area.
This week's photograph is Stanley Smith-Masters who was born in London on the 9 May 1903 and died in Maidenhead on the 19 December 1984 - I doubt whether there is a brass band anywhere that has not got a composition or arrangement of his in its band music library.... You may know him better as Edrich Siebert his pen name.
Eric Pinkerton - The Mirrlees Works Band from Hazelgrove, Stockport was formed in August 1949 they ceased to function in 1980. Like many a band secretary who have been loyal servants, Eric Pinkerton was Mr Mirrlees who 'made it happen'.
Talks Available
All the presentations are timed to last up to an hour except where shown - questions are gladly taken after the presentation. All have been presented to male, female and mixed audiences of varying age groups.
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A Postcard from the Past
The Sunny Vale Pleasure Gardens, Halifax - Yorkshire’s Alton Towers of the…
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All in a Days Work
Reminiscences from 30 years in the Police Service – (humorous lecture presentation)…
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Legends from the world of Brass Bands
(Info-tainment – digital slides & music) – 1 hour presentation.
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A Week in May
A story based on the Murder of Lord Frederick Cavendish (of the…
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Memories of Christmas Past
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The Road to Publication
In 1979 I was asked to assist in presenting a series of…
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Holiday Memories from the Past
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How we used to live
We have all seen and experienced changes in our lives. Bring back…
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Other Folks Rubbish (Not suited to a Zoom presentation)
With a local history theme… – (thought provoking humorous lecture presentation) –…
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So you want to be a Pirate ? - The life of a Pirate was not all that it seemed
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Superstitions, New Year Resolutions and the Origins of St Valentine's Day
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Brighouse at Work
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Sorry but I am not able to accept any more face to face talk bookings at the present time ONLY ZOOM TALKS
