Rushen Silver Band will be premiering their new commissioned work by renowned composer/arranger Alan Fernie at their concert at Rushen Primary School, Port Erin on Sunday 13 July.
The work was commissioned by the Band for the Island’s Year of Culture 2014, and has been kindly supported by the Gough Ritchie Charitable Trust. Alan will actually be conducting the piece in public at this concert for the first time which will also involve the Band's training band, Ballafesson Brass.
The work has three movements, all of which are based around the railways of the Island. ‘Rattle down from the North’ details the composers ride on the MER from Ramsey to Douglas when he visited the Island last year. The second movement, ‘The Seven Kingdoms’ refers to the Snaefell Mountain Railway ride from Laxey to Snaefell, whilst the final movement, ‘Steaming to the South’ of course relates to the Steam Railway journey from Douglas to Port Erin.
Tom Sinden, Chairman, Rushen Silver Band: “Following on from recording our second CD last year, playing at our first off-Island Band Contest in the Borders Region in 2012, and playing with Leyland Band in 2011, the Band Committee wanted something different again which would be a good focus for the band this year and another opportunity to continue to develop as a group.
Special thanks must go to the Band’s Musical Director, John Kinley, for all his hard work in getting the music in front of the band members to practice, and, of course, to the composer of the work, Alan Fernie, for taking on the project and delivering a strong composition for the band members to put all their efforts into”.
“We are again most appreciative of the help of the Gough Ritchie Charitable Trust who have covered virtually all the costs for the commissioned work which will help the Band, a registered charity, continue its invaluable community work. We are also very appreciative of the support of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company who have assisted the band in the sea travel for Alan and his family for this visit”.
Tickets are available from the Band Secretary on tel. no. 493193 or via secretary@rushensilverband.org.im and are priced at ?6 (?3 for under 18).
