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The Wessex Brass Quintet

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News and Reviews


Friday 24 March 2000
All Saints’ Church, Fawley
Brass Ablaze 2000
“Continuing their education programme WBQ were again guests at this concert which also featured young musicians from schools and colleges from the South Hampshire Area. The superb ancient Norman Church of All Saints, Fawley was a fitting setting to the evening’s music making. Soloists, brass ensembles, bands and orchestras met together for this annual event. A big thank you to the Vicar, Church Wardens, PCC and music staff of the Church for all their support and encouragement.”


Wednesday 24 May 2000
The Chapel, Main Campus, King Alfred’s College, Winchester
10th Anniversary Concert
“A concert for organ and brass with Philip Scriven, Assistant Master of Music from Winchester Cathedral. Although a very wet and windy evening, the Chapel was two thirds full. The newly restored Victorian organ was superbly played – music by Charpentier, Stanley, Bach, Handel and Mendelssohn. ‘Saxon Twilight’ written by Professor J. Boyce-Tillman was heard for the first time – music for brass quintet and featuring the Winchester Moot Horn (a twelfth century mediaeval signalling instrument.”


Sunday 16 July 2000
St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Lyndhurst
“The glorious summer sunshine shone through the opened West Door flooding the Victorian Gothic building with a warm glow. WBQ played a varied programme as part of the Summer series of concerts. A large audience enjoyed the resplendent sounds of the quintet. Music by David Hill, J.S. Bach, J. Boyce-Tillman, G. Faure, Elgar Howarth, Handel and Henry VIII with music from Broadway Favourites by Steven Sondheim, Frederick Loewe, George Sherwin Don Gillis and arrangements by Steven Roberts and Tim Norris."


Monday 31 July 2000
Romsey Abbey
A Right Royal Rufus Celebration
“Rufus 2000 events in aid of local charities – it is 900 years since the most famous event in The New Forest – the killing of King William Rufus. It happened allegedly at the spot now marked by the Rufus Stone in Minstead.” The WBQ were joined by members of the Romsey Abbey Choir directed by Jeffrey Williams and The Woodside Choir conducted by Robert Osbourne. The concert offered a sample of 900 years of music with Royal connections, travelling from the time of King William II until the present day. 900 years ago King William was taking a more earthly interest in Romsey Abbey, and in particular on e teenage Scottish Princess called Edith who was attending The Royal School run by the nuns at the Abbey. Music by David Hill, Henry VIII, Giles Farnaby, Henry Purcell, Jeremiah Clarke, Jean-Joseph Mouret, G.F. Handel, William Walton and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Charities that benefitted from proceeds included Minstead Training Project, The Bramshaw Group of Riding for the Disabled, The Fortune Centre and The Ocean Youth Trust (South).


Saturday 30 September 2000
Crossfield Hall, Romsey
Wellow Owls Proms Concert
“The WBQ were joined by The Solent Male Voice Choir and members of The West Wellow Owls WI Choir in a concert in aid of the Romsey Hospital Appeal and Naomi House Children’s Hospice. A varied programmme from all taking part with a theme of Last Night of The Proms (plenty of balloons, streamers, poppers and lots of hearty singing). WBQ were joined by Adam McMahon on percussion drum kit for music by Mozart, Fats Waller, George Gershwin and Mouret. The venue was packed and much fun was had by all.”


Wednesday 18 October 2000
St Peter’s Church, Bournemouth
Lunchtime Recital
“The Mother Town Centre Church of St Peter’s, Bournemouth has always been a favourite recital venue for WBQ. The superb Victorian Gothic architecture lends itself well for the sounds of brass. Local shop and business workers came and relaxed with their packed lunches whilst WBQ played for 45 minutes. A large audience enjoyed a varied repertoire.”


Thursday 26 October 2000
King Alfred’s College, Winchester
Service and Recital for King Alfred’s Day Celebrations
“As Ensemble in Residence at KAC and in partnership with the Winchester Music School and Foundation Music at King Alfred’s the WBQ performed ‘Saxon Twilight’ composed by Prof. J. Boyce-Tillman as part of the day’s celebrations. WBQ was joined by The King Alfred Singers, the College Recorder Ensemble, Brass Ensemble and organists.”


Friday 17 November 2000
Dummer Village Hall, Dummer, nr Basingstoke
“Following the opening of the MRI Scanner by HRH The Duke Kent earlier in the year at Royal Hampshire County Hospital Winchester, WBQ were invited to perform in Dummer Village Hall by Brigadier B.A.M. Pielow as part of a fund raising event in aid of Makaepea Primary School, Botswana. The concert in the Village Hall was very well attended and the music played encompassed music Bach, Beethoven, Handel, Puccini, Rossini, Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, Artie Shaw and Nat King Cole, over £3500 was raised for the school in Botswana.”


Sunday 17 December 2000
The Chapel of St Cross, Winchester
“No Small Wonder” - Christmas Concert
“WBQ were privileged to join Southern Voices, under the direction of Philip Scriven, in the Chapel of the Hospital of St Cross, Winchester for this concert of Advent and Christmas music. The concert was in aid of the Hampshire Bobby Trust. Southern Voices, founded in 1984, has gained a reputation for performing challenging and original programmes to a high standard. Singing and playing to a capacity audience the seasons of Advent and Christmas, in such an ancient setting was very uplifting.”


Saturday 3 February 2001
Wimborne Minster, Wimborne, Dorset
Brass and Organ “Majestic Sounds…”
“WBQ was joined at this concert by guest soloist David Warwick, Director of Music, Canford School. The ancient Saxon Minster lent itself well to a programme of music by J. Stanley, J.S. Bach, Malcolm Arnold, Flor Peeters, Samuel Scheidt, Charpentier, Handel, Vierne, Verne Reynolds, Puccini and with arrangements for brass quintet and organ of ‘Nunc Danket’ by Siegfried Karg-Elert and ‘The War March of Priests’ by Felix Mendelssohn arranged by Tim Norris.

Thursday 22 March 2001 The Turner Sims Concert Hall, The University of Southampton “From Bach to Bernstein” “Sponsored by Norwich Union Healthcare in support of Wessex Heartbeat, the charity working with the Cardiac Unit Trust at Southampton General Hospital. WBQ were joined at the organ by Sarah Baldock, Assistant Organist, Winchester Cathedral at The Turner Sims Concert Hall for a programme of classical, baroque, romantic and contemporary works for brass quintet, organ with joint items. Sarah Baldock played J.S. Bach’s ‘Prelude and Fugue in A minor’ BWV 543, Mozart’s ‘Andante in F’ K616 and Boellmann’s ‘Introduction Chorale and Menuet Gothique’ from his ‘Siute Gothique’. Joint brass and organ items included Stanley’s ‘Trumpet Voluntary in D’ arranged by Sir David Willcox, J.S. Bach’s ‘My Spirit be Joyful Cantata’ BWV 146 arranged by Rolph Smedwig, Charpentier’s ‘Prelude to a Te Deum’ arranged by John Wallace and Steven Wright and Karg-Elert’s ‘Nunc Danket’ arranged by Tim Norris. _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________ Friday 30 March 2001 Abbotswood Junior School, Totton, Southampton Brass Ablaze 2001 “Young Musicians from Blackfield Junior School Windband, Abbotswood Junior School Brass Ensemble, Waterside Area Junior Windband, Hounsdown School Swing Band, Tauntons College Brass Quintet, King Alfred’s College, Winchester Brass Ensemble together with Matthew Arnold and Alex Druet-Lewis on trumpets and Daniel Philips on Bb baritone joined the WBQ for this year’s Brass Ablaze Festival. Held, by kind permission of Gary Heath the Headteacher, at Abbotswood Junior School, Totton, Southampton parents and friends enjoyed the evening’s music making. Bands and ensembles were directed by Tim Warren, Alison Carr, Jan Carter, Jane Higgins and Tim Norris. The evening culminated with the presentation of ‘The Michael Swatman Trophy’ by Mike Miller, Chairman of The New Forest Brass Band.” Monday 30 April 2001 St Saviour’s Church, Brockenhurst Brockenhurst Music Society Concert “WBQ had been invited earlier in the year to perform for the society but due to the severe inclement weather which had caused flooding in the New Forest, and especially Brockenhurst, the date had been postponed until now. Playing to a large appreciative audience WBQ was joined by music students from Brockenhurst College who played some superb string music at the beginning of the second half. WBQ played all their usual light jazz pieces, by Gershwin, Fats Waller, Gillis and John Philip Sousa at the end of their programme.” Monday 14 May 2001 The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu 007 James Bond’s Cars Promotion “Playing the music of John Barry, Monty Norman, Paul McCartney, Bill Conti, Lionel Bart, Bono and The Edge, George Martin, Marvin Hamlish, Cheryl Crow and Mitchell Froom, Duran Duran, Anthony Newly and David Arnold from numerous past and present 007 James Bond films WBQ entertained the crowds at the opening of this new collection of Classic Cars.” Sunday 17 June 2001 Dummer, Basingstoke Private Party “Strawberries and cream, sunshine and showers, Bishops and Brigadiers, children and chatter – all making a Sunday lunchtime such a special day for a special family on the occasion of grandfather’s 80th birthday.”

Thursday 28 June 2001 St Thomas’ Church, Lymington Music for a Summer Evening: Majestic Sounds The ancient stones of St. Thomas' Church resounded to the fine harmonies of the Wessex Brass Quintet, supported by Martin Penrose, organ, on a warm Thursday evening in June. Two trumpeters with trombone, horn, tuba and organ combined to convey a sense of joy, especially in J.S. Bach's Cantata BWV146 "Wie will lch mich Freuen", (How I will rejoice) and in Karg-Elert's "Nunc Danket" (Now thank we all our God), an exhortation with which the audience was only too ready to comply. Piccolo trumpets enhanced the high notes required in some of Bach's more florid passages; the trumpeters had three differently pitched instruments each, played with great virtuosity by Timothy Warren and Susan Williams. The evening began with a fine, authoritative performance of the eighteenth century blind organist John Stanley's Trumpet Voluntary in an arrangement by David Willcocks for brass quintet and organ. It was a veritable burst of exuberant sound. The earliest composer represented in the first half of the programme was Samuel Scheidt, born at the end of the sixteenth century, whose Canzon Bergamasque favoured less the rustic dance from Bergamo of the title, but rather all the sophistication of contemporary Venice. The quintet brought out the polyphony of this piece well, with its rippling semiquavers, bouncing triple rhythms, the horn, Fiona Brockhurst and tuba, Tim Norris, displaying amazing dexterity on these demanding instruments. There was some wonderfully subdued and sympathetic playing from the trombone, Kevin Morgan. As elsewhere in this programme, the dynamic contrasts were exemplary. In the second part of the concert we were treated to more early music with the Prelude to Charpentier's Te Deum, an impressive piece, often played at state ceremonial occasions. This was followed by an arrangement of G.F. Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks, which was performed with all the panache and sparkle of the eponymous pyrotechnics. La Paix, the movement which commemorates the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1749, was smoothly graceful with some very sweet tone from the horn. Martin Penrose, organist and choir director at St. Thomas' Church, played three solo pieces in all, the first a quasi-improvisation by Frank Bridge, followed by the enchanting Toccatina for Flute by Pietro Yon with dove-like flutterings on the 4-ft. flute stop, a survivor from the original 1831 Walker organ. Lastly, in the second half of the programme, we heard a Toccata by François Dubois, a contemporary of Charles Widor in Paris, whose more famous Toccata from the Symphony in F. it resembled noticeably both rhythmically and in terms of its demand for dexterity and control. Martin excelled in both and justly won a large round of applause for the wonderfully varied tone he coaxed from the full Brindley and Foster organ of 1911. The last part of the concert included items by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and an arrangement by Stephen Roberts of Sherwin's famous song of the forties, 'A Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square'. We had heard the group in sixteenth century Venetian mode and in that of the high Baroque. Now they moved forward into the mid-twentieth Big Band sound, with one backward glance at the century before with Debussy's Golliwog's Cake Walk from Children's Corner. The ghost of Glenn Miller stalked the aisles and many a foot in the audience caught the compulsion of the rhythm. Karg-Elert's 'Nunc Danket', arranged by tuba player Tim Norris, concluded this evening of contrasts, for, as he himself reminded us, we were in God's House and it was fitting that we should thank Him for his many gifts to us, but most especially for the miracle of music. The ensemble gave us Sousa's Washington Post March as an encore, adding the Military Band sound to their many facetted playing styles. Proceeds from this concert are to go to Wessex Heartbeat and to Music at St. Thomas'. Kate Richards. _______________________________________________________

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Tuesday 7 August 2001
Winchester Cathedral
Lunchtime Recital
“A large audience joined WBQ in Europe’s longest mediaeval Cathedral to enjoy a varied programme of music:
Canzon Bergamasque from Battle Suite – Samuel Scheidt/arr Jones
Overture: Cosi Fan Tutte – W. A. Mozart/arr Roberts
Prelude to A Te Deum – Charpentier/arr Norris
Brass Quintet – Malcolm Arnold
The Quintessential Gershwin – Gershwin/arr Bulla
The Golliwog’s Cakewalk – Claude Debussy
Selection from The Royal Fireworks – Handel/arr Norris
Timothy Warren (trumpet), Susan Williams (trumpet), Fiona Brockhurst (horn), Michael Davis (trombone), Tim Norris (tuba)


Thursday 25 October 2001
The Gregg School, Southampton
Masterclass, workshop, recital
“WBQ would like to thank the student’s and staff at the Gregg School for their continued support and encouragement. A special thank you to Mr Hart, Mr Rice and Mr Bradley. Parents and pupils enjoyed the following programme:
Trumpet Voluntary - J. Stanley/arr Willcox
Little Fugue in G minor - J. S. Bach/arr Romm
Overture “Cosi fan Tutte” - W. A. Mozart/arr Roberts
Saddana – Traditional/arr Wallace
Bach Wake Up - J. S. Bach /arr Norris
Canzon Bergamasque - S. Scheidt/arr Jones
Under The Double Eagle - J. F. Wagner/arr Norris
Prelude to a Te Deum - M. A. Charpentier/ arr Wallace & Wright
Music for the Royal Fireworks - G. F. Handel /arr C. Roberts
Golliwog’s Cakewalk - C. Debussy/arr Mayer
A Foggy Day - G. Gershwin/arr D Gillis
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square – Sherwin/ arr Roberts
Puttin’ on the Ritz - I. Berlin/arr Slatt
The Washington Post - J. P. Sousa/arr Roberts
Timothy Warren (trumpet), Susan Williams (trumpet), Peter Kane (horn), Eddie Harmer (trombone), Tim Norris (tuba)


Thursday 15 November 2001
Wilton Carpet Factory, near Salisbury
Seasonal Music for Christmas Shopping
“Dressed in Dickensian costume and joined by members of The Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, seasonal Christmas music was enjoyed by members of the public at this the annual Christmas Fayre held in the famous restored Victorian Carpet Factory Visitors Centre.
The weather was cold and frosty but copious amounts of mulled wine and mince pies kept us warm. Visiting and sampling the free selection of Scottish malt whiskys was also a bonus. A great start to the Festive Season.”
Timothy Warren (trumpet), Susan Williams (trumpet), Fiona Brockhurst (horn), Michael Davis (trombone), Tim Norris (tuba)


Saturday 15 December 2001
Winchester Cathedral
BBC Radio Solent Carol Concert
“WBQ joined Southern Voices, directed by Philip Scriven, and Elizabeth Burgess on organ for this celebration for Christmas. Broadcast and recorded for BBC Radio Solent’s 30th Birthday. Broadcast at 4pm on Christmas Eve, Radio listeners were joined by staff from Broadcasting House in Southampton in majestic Winchester Cathedral for a feast of readings and community music making. The concert reflected Christmas in a traditional and modern way. The congregation present together with the listeners enjoyed a mix of carols and readings selected for this celebration. Julian Clegg the Breakfast Show Presenter, Bruce Parker the BBC South Political Editor and Dorcas Henry The BBC South Weather Presenter all took part. The Dean of Winchester Cathedral, The Very Revd Michael Till, spoke to the listeners and WBQ, choirs and organist praised God in the beauty of Holiness at this season of goodwill.”

Thursday 21 February 2002
The Chapel, Clayesmore School, Iwerne Minster, Blandford
Recital and Masterclass
“Battling through wind and rain and travelling like competitors in an RAC rally WBQ drove cross country from Southampton to Clayesmore School, down in the wilds of Dorsetshire!
The Head of Music at the school welcomed us to the School Chapel and the usual pre-concert sound checks and rehearsal with organ began. After a lengthy trek through the school grounds, avoiding the building sites, mud and rain tea was served in the school Common Room. The concert began at 7.30pm and most of the school attended. Students were keen to show their appreciation of a varied programme of music. Whilst playing in front of the altar, at the east end of the chapel, joint items with organ and console situated in a gallery at the west end, were accoustically challenging. Students and staff certainly enjoyed the lighter side of WBQ’s repertoire – jazz, swing and novelty items.



Tuesday 2 April 2002
The Guildhall, The Broadway, Winchester
ISM Annual Conference - “Our Music: Our Values”
Presentation and Workshop
“On Tuesday 2 April as part of the ISM’s annual conference for 2002, which was held in Winchester at The Guildhall. Its theme of ‘Our Music: Our Values’ reflected the interest of the chairman, outgoing President John Stephens, in the artistic values we wish to see promoted in society, the influences which have confirmed the values recognised as being worthwhile today, the means by which we can give the next generation experiences through which they will recognise and understand worthwhile values, and what the past teaches us about planning for the future.….and then a presentation and workshop by The Wessex Brass Quintet, a team of local professionals led by ISM member Tim Norris. They showed us the kind of workshops they give in their role as community musicians, with a good deal of audience participation – hosepipes with mouthpieces, tiny bugles, a 13th century moot horn, and so forth. More seriously, they gave us some striking playing, which set the rafters of the hall buzzing: The Procession of the Nobles from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Mlada: a piece composed by former MES Warden June Boyce-Tillman for the opening of a scanner in a local hospital, entitled Powerful Hope; an arrangement of Rossini’s William Tell Overture; funeral music from New Orleans: and finally Sousa’s Washington Post March.
ISM Music Journal, June 2002


Thursday 25 April 2002
Tauntons College, Hill Lane, Southampton
Brass Ablaze 2002
“WBQ members Tim Warren, Sue Williams (trumpets), Fiona Brockhurst (horn), Mick Davis (trombone) and Tim Norris (bass tuba) were joined by young musicians from The Wildern School Jazz Band, Tauntons College Brass Ensemble, The University of Southampton Trumpet Ensemble, The Gregg School Brass Ensemble, The University of Southampton Brass Quintet and The Hounsdown School Swing Band. Soloists included Simon Dalton on euphonium (with hi-tech backing tracks) and Jamie Langridge on Bb cornet. Parents and friends together with local music retailers (Becketts Music, Notability Music, Probyns Music and Belgarum Music Publishers) all enjoyed the evening’s music making, by kind permission of the Principal and Governors, at Tauntons College. “Brass Ablaze….. almost an inferno!””


Saturday 11 May 2002
Avington Park Hotel, Avington Hampshire
Wedding Reception in grounds of Avington Park Hotel
“Christopher Bishop – French horn, currently studying a BA (Hons) degree in the Music Department at The University of Southampton together with Glenn Coleman - trumpet, from the orchestra of Welsh National Opera, joined Tim Warren – trumpet, Kevin Riley – trombone and Tim Norris – tuba for the music making at Avington Park Hotel (a superb Regency Stately Home to the north-east of Winchester). Champagne, canapes and confetti to the fore!”


Saturday 25 May 2002
United Church, Jewry Street, Winchester
“Musick for Her Majesty in a Spirit of Pageantry”
“As part of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in Winchester WBQ came together to perform with The Meridian Winds band, soloists from King Alfred’s College, Winchester directed by Prof. J. Boyce-Tillman (Victoria Winchcombe – clarinet, Joanna Watson – pianoforte, Sarah Parker – soprano), and guest soloist Kai Solheim – clarinet. In aid of Mayoral Charities an appreciative audience celebrated in style with the singing of Hubert Parry’s ‘Jerusalem’ and Sir Edward Elgar’s ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ from ‘Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1’. The WBQ was joined by Julian Whitehead – trombone and Peter Kane – horn. A great start to the Jubilee celebrations, certainly in a Spirit of Pageantry.”


Saturday 8 June 2002
Winchester Cathedral
“The State We’re In” – Readings and music for the Golden Jubilee
RSCM Winchester Area Festival
“The Annual Area Festival for Choirs affiliated to The Royal Schools of Church Music, in celebration of The Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II began precisely at 5.30pm as the choirs and clergy entered. This Act of Worship belongs to our national celebration of 50 years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. During all the change in this long time, our Queen has set an example in dedication to duty as a Christian Monarch upholding the highest traditions of her ancient throne, and it is specially appropriate that we gathered in celebration and thanksgiving in Winchester Cathedral. We recalled that this was the Capital and burial place of the early kings of Wessex and England and that standards, which have not been forgotten, were set by Alfred, Christian and King.
Parish choirs from the RSCM Winchester area had met during May at St Thomas Church – Lymington, St Michael’s Church – Southampton, Weeke Methodist Church – Winchester, St Peter’s Church – Bournemouth and St Michael’s Church – Basingstoke under the directions of Davis Beeby, Paul Isted, Martin Penrose, Gary Philbrick and Robin Walker respectively. David Hill directed this area Festival Service, for the last time, as Master of Music at Winchester Cathedral. The organ was played by Philip Scriven, Assistant Master of Music at Winchester Cathedral.
The WBQ accompanied the choirs in The Old 100th Psalm tune arrnged by Ralph Vaughan Williams and edited by Tim Norris, the hymn ‘City of God, how broad and far…’ set to the tune ‘Richmond’ with special descant composed by David Hill, the anthem ‘I was glad when they said unto me’ by Hubert Parry - orchestrated by Meacock and Dr Gordon Jacob’s arrangement edited by Angela Lewis of ‘The National Anthem’. Other music include William McKie’s introit ‘We wait for thy loving kindness O God’, John Rutter’s anthem ‘For the beauty of the earth’, Jodi Page Clark’s hymn ‘Look around you’, ‘The Beatitudes’ – set to chant, G.F. Handel’s anthem ‘The King shall rejoice’ – edited by Denys Darlow, Psalm 67 set to chant by Dom Gregory Murray, Gustav Holst’s hymn ‘I vow to thee my country’ (tune – Thaxted).
The service/liturgy was compiled by The Very Revd David Edwards, formerly Provost of Southwark Cathedral. The Very Revd Michael Till, Dean and The Revd Canon Charles Stewart, Precentor presided.”


Schools Workshops 13 June - 18 July 2002
The successful series of schools concerts and workshops were both exciting and invigorating with much energy being enjoyed by the children and staff alike. Please refer separate link for venues and photographs. The quintet haad fun not only performing but also finding and travelling to the schools.

Sunday 4 August 2002
Newbury Racecourse
Mr Alan Blair, Chief Executive of Wessex Heartbeat and Sarah Jane the events co-ordinator welcomed guests to this the first big fund raising event held at Newbury Racecourse. Celebrities included the footballers Mick Channon, Alan Ball, the racing commentator, Scott Brough and Willy Carson together with TV presenters Esther Ranzen and Fred Dineage who added a great sense of fun to the occasion. The quintet played a selection of popular music from stage, screen and television. At the start of the Heartbeat sweepstakes WBQ played in front of a crowd of some 8500 people (we were reminde however not to play as the horses approached - such a shame really as I know from military experience horses like the sound of music.)

Monday 10 February 2003
Turner Sims Concert Hall, University of Southampton
Lunchtime Recital
Playing to a mixed audience including many brass instrumental students the group started with an anonymous 13th century fanfare entitled Wintanceaster which featured Tim Warren and Sue Williams playing natural trumpets and Fiona Brockhurst and Mick Davis playing sackbutts. This was followed by the Philip Jones arrangement Galliard Battaglia written by Samuel Scheidt and which featured our two trumpet players "fighting amongst themselves". Ronald Romm's arrangement of J S Bach's Little Fugue in G minor allowed Tim and Sue to change instruments and play their D/Eb trumpets. Baroque music at its best. Changing to piccolo trumpets and moving to England for music by Henry Purcell in particular movements from his opera King Arthur. The sonerous sounds of an arragement by Mike Davis followed namely the Sarabande by G F Handel. The second half of the programme was dedicated to brass instruments in contemporary mode with traditional jazz music arranged by Don Gillis Just a Closer Walk to thee which featured a superb improvised trombone solo, kept the audiences toes tapping. Music from George Gershwin's show Girl Crazy circa 1933 followed with the ever popular melodies "A Foggy Day" and "Nice work if you can get it" played on flugel horns and muted brass. A new arrangement by Heinz Czadekr of the ever popular show West Side Story by Bernstein kept the high notes coming especially in the tempo huapango. The quintet ended their 50 minute lunchtime recital with music by the British composer Jim Parker, namely La Parade taken from The Golden collection.
WBQ returned after a short break to work with the students from The University of Southampton exploring breathing techniques, tonal development, embouchure strengthening and general ensemble techniques. The hours session culminated in a performance of Pastime with Good Company by Henry VIII arranged by Stephen Roberts.

Wednesday 12 February 2003
The Hampshire Rosebowl Sports Complex, Southampton
Supporting the work of Wessex Heartbeat, this private party for members of the legal profession was held in the corporate suite as part of the newly constructed sports complex. WBQ played as guests moved around the world in 80 minutes stopping at India, Australia, The Caribbean and The UK. Planning music for this event was a challeging, especially arranging brass quintet music taken from Indian melodies (but the guests did enjoy the theme music from the 1970's TV show It Aint Half Hot Mum).

Saturday 5 April 2003
Romsey Abbey
Entitled "Jubilate" (O be joyful) Wessex Brass were joined by David Warwick, diector of music at Canford School, Dorset. The magnificent setting of Romsey Abbey lent itself to music by Monteverdi (Cantate Domino), Scheidt (Galliard Battaglia), J S Bach (Fantasia in C minor for organ), Purcell (Suite from King Arthur), Handel (Sarabande), J S Bach (Wie will ich mich freuen from Cantata BWV 146 for brass and organ), Bernstein (West Side Story), Faure )Pie Jesu from the Requiem), Bizet (Aragonaise from Carmen), Franck (Piece Heroique for organ), Waller (Ain't Misbehavin'), Gershwin (A Foggy Day, Nice Work if you can get it) and Karg-Elert (Nunc Danket for brass and organ). An appreciative audience welcomed us and we were very impressed with the stage management team from Romsey Abbey. Our thanks to the Vicar and staff for all their assistance.