Newcraighall 2 Star 3

Scottish Cup, 1st Round


Newcraighall Brass Band 2 Watt Star Symphony Orchestra 3


The musicians lined up like so:


At the very back of the hall, on percussion:
Hughey Hewitt


Brass section:
Aitchy (tuba), Doc (trombone) Robbo (Moothy - exceptionally)


Woodwind:
Jason (clarinet), Stevie (picollo), Mikey (Jew's harp), Craig (flute), Graham (pan pipes)


Strings:
Pistol (first violin), Paul (double bass/single fish)


In the wings:
Niall (triangle), Sean (baby grand piano), Garry (feathers), Colin (guitar)


Roadies: Fulton and Berwick Ltd (very)
"No job too small, no pants too big"


Although the pitch was fine, it was far from "perfect" and this concert started with a bang as the conductor, resplendent in a red tunic blew his tin whistle and immediately the Newcraighall band attacked the music score with gusto (Opus No. 7) and with the WSSO on the back foot, it was clear they had not had enough time to tune up.
NBB's new uniforms were given their first "airing" but had to contend not onlywith the brightness of the Brasilian colours from Riccarton, but also the samba beat of their opponents.
Allegro (quickly) was the tempo from the NBB, whereas the visiting musicians could only play at somewhere approaching lento (slowly) - and although they were playing the correct notes, they were not necessarily in the right order.
And 16 minutes into the performance, a solo note from NBB (opus No 3) found it's way into the music book and this fellow was delighted with his "score" as his sharpness contrasted with the flatness of the visitors. Fortunately the WSSO didn't "fret" - just re-tuned and started again.
The Woodwind section was being made to blow its instruments hard under constant changes of pace from the "stars from the sticks" and although they held firm, a change of emphasis was needed to avoid the concert being loaded with too much brass..
So, with the overture barely completed, the WSSO roadies made a couple of changes and moved a pan-piper into the brass section with the clarinet and flute changing music stands. Moothy switched sides, and it's fairly obvious that he's not only right footed, but right moothied as well.
A different tune was now being played as the double bass/single fish celebrated his new strings by blasting a perfectly pitched note into the Newcraighall cleff, following some intricate footering (opposite of fingering - keep it clean eh?) from the first violin who trilled his appreciation like a big girl.
The celebrations were reminiscent of the 1998 last night of the Proms as one roadie and one toadie were swamped by delicious - sorry delirious - participants.
The visitors (next stop Vienna) now dominated the concert, although their new percussionist, Hughey had to have quick hands to thwart a couple of hard hitting, well placed notes along the way and he showed just why his transfer from Red Albert Hall was rushed through. . .
Doc was in control of the high notes, as the Big Aitch caressed the lower ones, although he had to be alert to avoid their little crochets from breaking through in an attempt to spoil the underdogs' rhythm.
The two smallest musicians - moothy and pan pipes - also defended their quavers (cheesy) with virtuoso performances and produced a creation to match Rossini's William Tell Overture, which, while not of precisely the same quality now seems somehow, less well crafted.
Clarinet and flute were playing from the same sheet during this spell while the picollo and Jew's harp both resounded in total harmony to add to the depth of penetration.
First violin and double bass/single fish ignored the "score" as they tried to change it at every opporchancity then a great spot (not acne) by big Aitchy found the first violin right on the money and he played Ace Ventura impeccably, skillfully using his gelled locks to place the note over the opposition's drummer for the second movement. A superb piece of orchestration with the World Cup theme being blasted out by Aitchy's (on tuba) mighty right boot for a grand piano finish.
Strangely the piccollo and Jew's harp were pulling the strings at this point in proceedings, which means I have totally mixed up my metaphors and a puppeteer has no place here. Apologies.
Another fine passage of play found the Double Bass/single fish in space down the right corridor, but he elected to go "solo" instead of perhaps forming a duet with the first violin and the moment was gone. A fine solo note from the veteran Jew's harp had the opposing percusionist beating the note away as it looked destined to make itself a new home in the opposing tune's hoose.
The intermission came with the WSSO reluctant to rest as they had by now, satisfied the travelling groupies that this gig was going to be one of their best and had got right into the rhythm. The pre-concert-ordered beverages were not wholly appreciated by the musicians and a roadie had to down 5 extra ones, although this stood him in good stead as the night wore on - apparently (he has no recollection of anything after 7pm).
Opus No 2 was similar to the first with the WSSO building up to a crescendo and although the NBB rehearse twice a week, they were shown to be lacking a little in the wind department by opponents who seemed to have bellows for lungs.
Some legato (smooth) passages (great for constipation) now ensued from the visitors, and only tired lungs were going to spoil the tone and the picollo found his wind was out of tune with his legs as he made way for the baby grand, who was instructed to depart from his usual Morris Dance routine for a more energetic performance.
And the visiting maestros were not finished yet, as the double bass/single fish was invited to up his tempo as he broke away on his own, but as he reached the limit of his range (high P), the accuracy was gone, as were his legs - nearly.
First violin still had a couple of bars in his repertoire and he fairly speeded up before the opposing drummer stole his bow from under him right in centre stage and the conductor aimed his baton at the spot. It's a matter of conjecture as to whether or not the drummer should have had his sticks confiscated but the conductor saw fit to let him see out the rest of the concert from the stage rather than the gallery.
Double bass/single fish gained his just reward for a performance full of energy and belligerence as he dispatched the pen with a plum (five a day - that's the healthy way).
His celebration looked like one of relief as well as delight and he's now only 5 beats away from First Violin in the contest for young musician of the year - but he's running out of concerts (only 30ish left).
The WSSO now only had to consolidate their position in the performance, but decided to let the opposition back in the stage door when a lack of concentration led to a wrong note being played in the brass section and the NBB first violin played a last, plaintive note into the WSSO's ears.
Another lost cause was chased by the Double bass/single fish and he performed a minor miracle to set up a tune, which should have been completed in the corner of the concert hall, but it broke down, as did he when his strings finally snapped.
He was replaced by the triangle, but there was little or no more melody to come and the concert ended in harmony for the visitors, but dischord for the hosts.
A decent result and performance given that the NBB had reached the last 16 of the national trophy only last season.
Hopefully we will see and hear the performers do an encore this Saturday when North Berwick Ragtime Band try to progress in the same trophy at the expense of the Watt Star Symphony Orchestra.
D