Washington Post, adopted by the masses as lively two-step, opened the programme in the Performing Arts Centre at Avondale College.
Waitakere gives each concert its own identity and this time the spirit of the dance took centre stage. Images of Spanish gypsies, Russian sailors, rattling sabres, Fred Astaire and even Michael Jackson were captured in a vivacious programme.
Guest artists The Poyema Dance Company took the stage to partner soprano cornet and trumpet virtuoso Fendall Hill playing his self-composed trumpet concerto. A work in three movements that combined Fendall's trumpet mastery with sympathetic brass ensemble playing to produce the perfect accompaniment for a stunning dance work specially choreographed for the occasion.
The dancers returned in the bouncy YMCA, which featured the audience, led by compere Billy Middleton.
Billy’s contribution to the evening was not just ‘being a tuba player’ but at the microphone, where he gave very enlightened renditions of the operatic origins of pieces such as Dance of the Russian Sailors (Gliere) and Sabre Dance (Khachaturian).
Poyema’s director and choreographer, Jennifer De Leon, brought a graceful delicacy to the evening in her solo performance to Over the Rainbow (Arlen arr Morrison), which featured the current New Zealand tenor horn champion, Andy Williams.
The finale, Riverdance (Whelan arr Farr), brought the dancers back on stage and gave every section of the band a claim to being best on the night. However, the piece wouldn't work without a top percussion section and Waitakere was lucky to have James Carson and Robert Parker on hand to drive the band along.
Steven Booth has set a high standard for his players this year, and from Saturday’s performance the players have got the message.
For further information:
Tracey Ashton
Marketing Manager
‘Trusts’ Waitakere Brass Band
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Ph: +64 210 221 6092 (mobile)
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