The GUS Band have just returned from an enjoyable and very successful weekend in Gateshead. After a hugely busy couple of weeks of rehearsals and preparation, the band travelled up to Newcastle ready to take part in the Brass in Concert Championships at the Glasshouse on the 15th November. Once again, GUS had been invited to compete in this prestigious competition and after a rehearsal on the day at the venue, the band walked on stage to present “Love Beyond the Rose”, an original set devised and composed by the band’s musical director, Christopher Bond. The theme was based on the 18th century French fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast” and the half-hour stage show included solos from James Screaton and Jack Wilson, plus a horn and baritone duet arrangement of “Hymne A L’Amour” from Rob Fleming and Sarah Lenton. James, dressed as Belle’s father, Maurice, gave a sublime performance of a beautiful new arrangement for cornet by Chris of “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose”. Jack, attired as Gaston, the boastful villager, amazed the audience with a new piece for soprano cornet called “Mirror, Mirror, I’m the Star”. Rhys Cave, the band’s flugel player, was the character Lumiere, the cursed maitre d’ and together with George Bruce, the band’s principal euphonium, portraying Cogsworth, the Beast’s butler, played solos in a further new arrangement of “Be Our Guest” from the film Beauty and the Beast.
The whole show was held together by the actor David Gilbrook who narrated and brought the story to life. The audience loved it and so did the adjudicators who placed us 4th overall. If you would like to see the performance, the band’s performance can be viewed on the WobPlay website. However, even better, the GUS Band will be reprising their performance again this Sunday, (23rd November) at the Royal and Derngate Theatre in Northampton, as part of their live performance of the animation film the Snowman.