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"THE sign on the poster at the Howden Park Centre advertised West Lothian Schools Brass Band, but no marks to the people in town who chose to ignore the promised concert because they missed an evening of sheer top-class enjoyment.
This was provided by a quintette of Fine Arts Brass and a programme of musical choice guaranteed to suit everyone from the classical school to the most upbeat Dixieland jazz aficionado, with a touch of Bernstein and Gershwin thrown in for good measure. For a change, the West Lothian Schools Brass Band – once again under the baton of Maestro Nigel Boddice MBE – provided the backing in some of the numbers and then shone with their customary brilliance when playing on their own a piece called Sirocco. This required brilliant drumming and a brave soul breaking some plates Greek-style as a dazzling finale where the quintette proved they could jam. We, the audience, were invited to join in the famous Tiger Rag and all we had to do was clap on the off beats and sing "hold that tiger", but my, this was music to our ears and drew a roar of approval. An impeccably chosen programme, most of which features on their new CD now on sale (and we cannot think of a finer Christmas present). Proving once again how versatile brass band musicians can be when you feature the crème de la crème of West Lothian talent and, in their now modest way, no programme. It is almost impossible to list performers by name, so go to the top of the class these guys and gals. You know who you are and knowledgeable Simon Lenton who imparted copious introductions before each piece and then proceeded to blow us into trumpet seventh heaven with his co-trumpeter Angela Whelan who almost made them talk to each other." - West Lothian Herald & Post
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