Mission Hill Brass blows its horns and trumpets

British style brass bands are back in vogue. As it enters its 10th season, no one is more keenly aware of the rejuvenation than Mission Hill Brass Band.

“Everybody is excited. It’s quite a milestone. To keep a group together past the second, third, fourth and fifth year, you have to develop a strong core of players. We’re constantly adding new players and we’re very fortunate to still have two capable founders that are very good musicians – Dr. Gordon Russell (horn) and Dan Skepple (conductor),” said Dale Somerville, president of the Mission Hill Brass Society and second cornet.

The 26-piece brass band gets its landmark year underway with Autumn Brass, a concert that reflects the changing colours of past and present. The two-hour concert takes place at St. Albert United Church on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Although British ears are predisposed toward brass band music, it’s been a tougher haul in North America where many listeners equate it with stirrings of patriotism.

Since New Orleans’ ensembles such as Hot 8 Brass and Wisconsin’s Young Blood Brass Band created hot dance floor charts, the brass bands’ reputation has developed a rowdier vibe that reflects 21st century sensibilities.

Skepple and Mission Hill’s music committee have combined forces to introduce a British-styled program of renewed discovery.

“It’s an opportunity to play more challenging music and we play a nice mix of what I call traditional march music and popular music. It’s a great variety and many pieces are fast paced with lots of key changes and dynamics,” Somerville said.

One of the concert’s showpieces is Highland Cathedral, a tune released in 1982 and performed by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guard. Somerville noted that an idea was floated to replace Scotland’s two anthems, Scotland the Brave and The Flower of Scotland, with Highland Cathedral. But like the Scottish independence vote, the substitution did not occur.

“It has a great beat and beautiful solos and we will have a piper joining us. For those of us with Scottish roots, it’s very exciting.”

Juxtaposed against the lushness of Highland Cathedral is a medley of timeless Glen Miller charts that embrace American Patrol and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

“The tunes are very catchy and the band has to listen and be aware of other sections. There’s lots of dialogue between sections.”

For traditional brass band aficionados two marches, Minneapolis IV and Exeter Temple, radiate with a steady beat and excitement.

Soprano cornet Cam Martin, formerly a top-tier musician with Royal Canadian Artillery Band, was transferred to Cold Lake. Still a valued member of Mission Hill, Martin returns to perform a solo in Piper O Dundee, a romantic ballad.

“We’re very fortunate to have him for this concert. I’ve heard it’s very difficult to hit the right keys. But Cam is able to hit those high notes with full clarity.”

Balancing the program is Alleluia Sing to Jesus, a spiritual made famous by the 159-year-old Black Dyke Hymn Book, the most famous brass band in the United Kingdom.

And for fans of movie soundtracks, Skepple has added a catchy number from Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.

Somerville closes by saying, “It’s going to be an enjoyable afternoon of exciting music and varied brass band music. So let’s support live music in St. Albert and the Edmonton area.”