Derwent Brass - Open Rehearsal [On 'Diversions']

Name: Derwent Brass - Open Rehearsal [On 'Diversions']
Start: 2025-03-06T19:45:00+00:00
End: 2025-03-06T21:45:00+00:00
Location: Allestree Woodlands School

Schedule

Thu Mar 06 2025 at 07:45 pm to 09:45 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

Allestree Woodlands School | Derby, EN

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹
Experience what a typical 2 hour rehearsal is like for Derwent Brass under the baton of MD Jack Capstaff as the band prepares for its appearance at the Midlands Regional Brass Band Championships.
Entry is completely free of charge!
The band will be rehearsing and performing 'Diversions', a work for brass band by the English composer Derek Bourgeois. The work was commissioned in 1985 by Skellerup Brass Band of Christchurch, New Zealand and is split into three movements:
1. Allegro Vivace
2. Andante Con Moto Molto Expressivo
3. Allegro Vivace

𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Derek Bourgeois wrote Diversions in the summer of 1985 to a commission from the Skellerup Brass Band.
Bourgeois previous test piece, Blitz, was aggressive and forceful, therefore the composer decided to write a work of a completely different character, which although technically very demanding, is light-hearted in style, and easy on the ear, as the title suggests.
The first and third movements share the same tempo, but are rather different in character. The first movement is a sonata allegro contrasting two main themes. The first is bold and jaunty and is heavily scored, the second announced by the solo horn is more lyrical in character. The development section and recapitulation are merged into a continuous interplay of the two themes.
The second movement is an expressive andante in free rondo form. It is lightly scored for the most part with a lot of solo passages that make demands on the musicianship of the players and conductor alike. The very simplicity of its textures and the breadth of its melodic writing demand firm control of vibrato, phrasing and rubato.
The brief finale is nothing short of a romp. Its ternary structure is highly rhythmic in character and only rarely do the performers enjoy the luxury of two consecutive bars in the same time signature!

𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲
Allestree Woodlands Theatre
Allestree Woodlands School
Blenheim Drive
Allestree
Derby
DE22 2LW

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲
19:45 - 21:45