After the European Premiere of `A Richer Dust' - Malene, the Band of the Irish Guards and myself '(Photos: Marius Skaerved)

After the European Premiere of `A Richer Dust’ – Malene, the Band of the Irish Guards and myself ‘(Photos: Marius Skaerved)

I would like to thank everyone involved in the `Remembrance Concert’ with the Band of the Irish Guards on 6th November in the Guards Chapel, London, and for giving the European Premiere of `A Richer Dust’ (Symphony No1) for Speaker and Wind Orchestra. In particular, I would like to thank Major Bruce Miller for his support in this event and WO1 Bandmaster Andrew Porter, whose energy, enthusiasm, vision and talent brought this large-scale project to fruition. Andrew’s reading of the text was moving indeed – The Band of the Irish Guards itself, gave every possible ounce of their musicianship and professionalism to make this 50 minute work come to life.

WO1 Bandmaster Andrew Porter before performing `A Richer Dust'

WO1 Bandmaster Andrew Porter before performing `A Richer Dust’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would also like to thank Peter Sheppard Skaerved who hosted the pre-concert talk, and of course the continued support of writer Malene Sheppard Skaerved whose text left us so much to think about – I must add that Malene was always a constant source of support throughout the rehearsal process. For me to conduct such musicians (and a band in which I once served) was more than a privilege, and will remain with me for ever, and I thank the band for that. Finally this work, would never of happened with out the commissioning vision of Dr Reed Thomas and the Middle Tennessee State University Wind Ensemble our musical partners across the pond who premiere the work earlier this year. (Photos: Marius Skaerved)