Talk Subjects
Chris Helme
Chrislyn Hamilton found a national audience at the age of 17 when she appeared in the 2008 series of Australian Idol where she placed 5th overall, becoming the last woman standing in the series
In 2012, Chrislyn reached new heights when she became a semi finalist on Australia's Got Talent. During her time in the competition, Hamilton won praise from judges Kyle Sandilands, Danni Minogue and Brian McFadden for her powerful stage presence, and spine tingling performances
It was also in 2012 that Chrislyn went on to win the annual Voice of McDonalds Global Singing Competition, a competition which aims to recognise and reward the most talented singers among over 1.7 million McDonalds employees. The prize would mean the trip of a lifetime over to the US to work with record producers, the chance to attend the American Idol Finale and the opportunity to be featured in a national advertising campaign for McDonalds
2014 was another significant year for this now 26-year old performer. It was after an appearance at Creative Generation (State School's Onstage) that she sparked the interest of Australian Music legend James Morrison, who invited the talented songstress to appear and perform at the G20 Cultural Celebrations that year, to support his band
In addition to her personal career highlights, Chrislyn has developed a remarkable portfolio of corporate clients and continues to lend her name and perform for various companies and events around the country.
Chrislyn is featured on this show with the Brisbane Excelsior Band conducted by Howard Taylor in our James Bond celebration section... Enjoy the show.
"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn published in 1779 with words written in 1772 by English Anglican clergyman John Newton (1725–1807). It is a very popular hymn where it is used for both religious and secular purposes. He wrote the words from personal experience. He grew up with no particular religious conviction, but his life's path was formed by a variety of twists and coincidences. He was pressed into service with the Royal Navy, and after leaving the service, he became involved in the Atlantic slave trade.
In 1748, a violent storm battered his vessel off the coast of County Donegal, Ireland, so severely that he called out to God for mercy. While this moment marked his spiritual conversion, he continued slave trading until 1754 or 1755, when he ended his seafaring altogether. Newton began studying Christian theology and later became an abolitionist.
This year is the 250th anniversary of "Amazing Grace" and we share that celebration with it being performed on this show.
This week the show is paying a musical tribute to the legendary cornet player James Shepherd who passed away on June 22, aged 86. This two-hour show can only scratch the surface of his wonderful career in the brass band world. From his first tentative steps of being taught to play by his father at the age of 13,
James went to be the principal cornet at the Black Dyke Mills Band in 1963. It was 10 glorious years. The band went through a real purple patch on the contesting scene and high profile concerts and his many solo performances.
In 1973 he and a number of other high profile brass band players surprised the banding world by all leaving their respective bands. This saw the formation of what was to become a household name in the brass band world, the James Shepherd Versatile Brass. The ensemble went on to perform concerts across the world that captivated their almost worldwide audiences.
Gentleman Jim as he was often called was a brass bander through and through.
It was announced late this week that the legendary cornet play James Shepherd had sadly passed away, aged 86.
The man who conceived the idea of forming the James Shepherd Versatile Brass in 1972 needs little introduction. Through his tremendously successful period with Black Dyke Mills Band prior to 1972 and his even more illustrious years as leader of the Versatile Brass since then, he is known to thousands of music lovers at home and overseas.
Sunday Bandstand sends condolences to James's family and his close friends. There will be a tribute show next week to this true legend of the brass band world.
There is one track on this week where James is the featured soloist with Black Dyke Mills Band in 1972.
Ralph E. Pearce was born the son of Salvation Army Officer parents in Glasgow. His earliest musical education was in the SA and was featured at an early age at first as a Vocalist and then as a Trombonist. He studied Music at the University of Glasgow and Composition at the University of Wales. Whilst in Wales he was responsible for the SA Corps Band and other Divisional musical groups.
In May of 1990 in Arizona, he became Divisional Director of Music for the SAs Southwest Division. (This encompasses El Paso, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Las Vegas). He has over 60 compositions published and a number of have been recorded. The Divisional Youth Band, under Mr. Pearce's tutelage and direction has toured England and Wales as well as the New York City metropolitan area.
He was the musical director of the Salt River Brass for a decade and under his direction, become one of the premier Brass Bands in the U.S.A.
On this week's show we are featuring his composition 'The Cry of the Warriors' played by the New York Staff Band BM: Ron Waiksnoris.
Thanks everyone - It is only Thursday and another three days of speaking engagements completed... Monday it was a morning introducing the 50 members of the Morley Monday Club to the world of brass bands and then off on Tuesday to Shadwell in Leeds to the Sweet Memories Group. This was a really nice group of 'mature citizens...' they all enjoyed taking a nostalgic look back at the holidays of the 1950s.
Wednesday a trip out to the Wharfedale Ladies Luncheon Club at Ben Rhydding near Ilkley. This was held at the Audley Clevedon Retirement Village what a fabulous place this is.
Now it is time to prepare Sunday's weekly brass band radio show...
PS Unlike this speaker keep your audience engaged....
Henri Kling was born in Paris in 1842 to Claudette and Ludwig Kling, who hailed from the southwest German Grand Duchy of Baden. The family visit to Paris failed to find adequate employment for Ludwig in the military band.
In 1844 they left Paris for Germany, where Ludwig found employment in the military wind bands Soon after the move, Henri’s mother died. Ludwig remarried, but he was turned out to be a difficult time for Henri.
He blossomed as a young musician, applying himself to violin, piano, organ and later the horn.
He left Germany in 1861, and settled in Geneva where he soon won the solo horn post in the Geneva Theatre Orchestra.
He composed more than 550 pieces and were published throughout Europe and the US. After two decades as the solo horn in Geneva, he resigned to concentrate on composition, writing, and teaching. Teaching at the Geneva Conservatoire was his primary responsibility.
He taught Conservatoire for 50 years; he died in Geneva aged 76 in 1918.
'Cornerstones Vol 2 - Variations' is the latest CD produced by the Cory Band. This is the second instalment in the band's Cornerstones series, the aim of which is to present some of the most cherished and celebrated pieces in the brass band repertoire . The first in the series was Landscapes and the music drew its inspiration from the physical world in which we live.
As with the first Cornerstones CD there is playing of the very highest standard, which is nothing less you would expect and have grown accustomed to with Cory's and it conductor Philip Harper. This next album is entitled Variations and every piece takes this musical structure as its starting point. Theme and Variations is an architecture which has been used by composers since the 16th century with seminal examples by Bach, Beethoven, Rachmaninov, and Schoenberg, amongst countless others. In imaginative hands the form can be infinitely fascinating and, with all musical material stemming from the same source, a rigorous set of variations has inbuilt tight-knit musical integrity.
On this show we are featuring an Eric Ball classic from 1961 British Open contest. I am sure for many listeners this will bring back memories from their own playing days
Having been in touch with Dec Cluskey over the last few months I am helping him promote his monthly 'Sounds on Sunday'... Here is a chance to look into Dec's show. There are many performances that highlights Dec with his late brother Con.
'Sounds of Sunday' .... this Sunday 4th June. An hour of spectacular fun, videos, interaction .... live from Stanton Prior in Eastbourne, UK. Fully interactive and fully International.
ZOOM ID: 736-7801-5504 passcode: 2d6tmd ... 2 for 2.30pm GMT [UK time
Sorry, no new concert today the conductor is ill...Normal service will resume next week...
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
