Many weeks of practice were worth it as Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass celebrated their 50th anniversary in front of a packed audience at the Gladstone Theatre on Sunday 24th September. There is nothing better for a brass band than to perform in front of the community it serves.
The compere Jane Grimes, a longstanding singer with the Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, recounted the early days of the band which had sprung up from the Port Sunlight Boys Brigade back in 1973.
The concert opened dramatically with “Celebration Fanfare” written specially for the band’s 50th anniversary by Edward Gregson who has had a long and varied career as a composer, writing for film and stage as well as for orchestras and brass bands. A varied programme conducted by PSLB Musical Director Simon Hartharn-Evans followed, with the sublime “Highland Cathedral”, classical works including “Funiculi Funicula” and popular works such as “Ticket to Ride” written by local legends Paul McCartney and John Lennon and “Pirates of the Caribbean”, conducted by another young band member, Dominic Werne.
Special guest soloist Les Neish, himself a product of PSLB who has gone on to become an internationally renowned Tuba player, took to the stage with one of the younger band members, 18 year old Charlie Cresswell who has recently earned his place at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music. Together they played The Parting, a world premiere of a hauntingly beautiful Tuba duet written by Gareth Bowman and the 1st movement of a Tuba Concerto written by the aforementioned by Edward Gregson, conducted by the man himself. A cousin of Ralph Peters, one of the founder members and now secretary of the band, Mr Gregson spoke fondly of his summer visits to Port Sunlight, observing the quaintness of a village largely unchanged to this day. Les went on to play the exciting Czardas in his own inimitable style, followed by a 1 fingered solo performance of Hungarian folk tunes!
During the varied second half of the programme which included the sublime “I’ll Walk With God” and the ridiculous Muppet Show Theme, Ralph Peters was awarded life presidency of the band in recognition of his faithful and dedicated service throughout the 50 year journey.
A rousing finale of the energetic “Eye of the Tiger”, theme tune to Rocky IV, brought the programme to a close on what had been a thoroughly enjoyable celebration of this local brass band.
Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass Band would like to thank all who sponsored this event, the Gladstone Theatre for hosting and the Port Sunlight Village Trust for the opportunities provided to the band to bring their music to the local community. A great turnout on the day allowed the band to make a significant contribution to The Rotary Club and Les Neish asked us to make a donation to Cancer Blows, a charity close to his heart, in lieu of expenses which the band counted a privilege to do.
(with thanks to the Port Sunlight Gazette 2023)
