THE Isle of Man Wind Orchestra will be playing at the Wind and Brass Weekend at the Royal Northern College of Music next month.
It is an acknowledgment by the organiser, the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles, of the high standard of the orchestra and its commitment to music-making in the Island.
The Isle of Man Wind Orchestra is considered to be one to the top community based groups in the British Isles and receives good reviews of its performances both on and off the Island.
Last year it won a silver medal in the National Concert Band Festival held in Cardiff.
Orchestra chairman Michael Morrison said: "The orchestra is overwhelmed to be invited to perform in Manchester and is looking forward to the weekend, including meeting some old friends and ex-members who now study or work in the UK.
"We hope many of them will join up with us for the event."
The weekend, on October 30 and 31, consists of performances by individual bands, workshops for different instruments and masterclasses led by college teaching staff.
There will be performances of specially commissioned works and the finale on the Sunday afternoon will involve all the musicians attending getting together to form a mass wind orchestra.
Musical director of the Isle of Man Wind Orchestra Paul Dunderdale said: "It will be a challenge for members of the orchestra to perform before their peers and one we are looking forward to."
The orchestra performs frequently in the Island and its next concert is at Castletown Methodist Church on Thursday, September 30 at 7.30pm.
The Orchestra has an exciting year ahead which will include a concert at the Villa Marina, Douglas, on Saturday, February 5 2011.
This will feature the premiere of a piece that is being specially written for it by Colin Touchin.
Mr Morrison added: "Colin has visited the Island to conduct the orchestra and to adjudicate at the Manx Music Festival and is looking forward to working with the orchestra in creating a new piece of music incorporating Manx themes.
"The orchestra always welcomes new members.
"There is no requirement to audition and its ranks comprise musicians of all ages. We are particularly keen to recruit brass players and percussionists and if you want to come along to a rehearsal, without any commitment, they take place every Thursday at 7.45pm at Marown School in Glen Vine."
Further information can be obtained from Michael Morrison on 437751, from the Orchestra’s website www.iomwo.com or by e-mail winds@wm.im
If anybody who is not a member of the orchestra wishes to travel with it to the Royal Northern College of Music they should contact the chairman.
