University of Dundee/ University of Strathclyde Concert Bands

Caird Hall, Dundee March 15

THIS WEEKEND, the combined forces of the University of Dundee Concert Band and its Strathclyde University counterpart will be taking to the stage; first of all in Glasgow, at St Andrew’s in the Square tonight and tomorrow in the Caird Hall in Dundee.

Bringing the two together was the brainchild of former Strathclyde graduate and current fourth year medical student at Dundee, Myles Gilpin. Alongside his studies, Myles, a keen trumpeter, is convener of the University of Dundee Concert Band and president of the university’s Musical Society.

“It was a crazy idea to bring the two bands together in the two cities,” he explained.

“Last year, I sat down with Dundee University’s director of music Graeme Stevenson and conductor Susan Sneddon to see if we could do it.

“They were very keen and when we got in touch with Strathclyde, they were very positive about the idea.

“Practically, it’s a complicated business but then Graeme went ahead and booked the Caird Hall so we had to make it work.

“I’m delighted that it has actually come together this week – I can’t quite believe it!”

The massed forces of the two bands should bring over 100 musicians to the two stages and for tomorrow’s Caird Hall concert, the impressive finale with all the players involved will be Leonard Bernstein’s Mambo from West Side Story and a performance of Instant Concert by Harold Walters, who combined motifs and tunes from over 30 wellknown pieces into a two and a half minute riot of sound, guaranteed to end the proceedings with a musical flourish.

Other items on the bill include Vaughan Williams’ Folk Song Suite, Robert Sheldon’s Tales of Dundee and the theme from Schindler’s List.

Dundee University academic and pianist David Mowles is soloist for Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, in a newly commissioned version for band and piano harking back to the original score created by the composer.

Tickets: £12, £8, £5 from the Central Box Office