This recording and sleeve notes kindly provided by Chris Trevena at Sounds Like Cornwall.
Side One:
1. STAGE CENTRE
2. SWEET NIGHTINGALE
3. FLYING FINGERS
4. THE AERONAUTS
Side Two:
5. TRAILBLAZE
6. FOLKS WHO LIVE ON THE HILL
7. THE JAGUAR
8. MAY DANCE
9. SONGS OF THE QUAY
Photo Alan Joyce
BAND PERSONNEL:
Conductor Albert Chappell L.R.A.M.
Soprano Comet: Trevor Rowland
Principal Cornet: Stephen Smith
Tutti Comets: Fred Angove Marl David Brian Richards Paul Richards Chris Matthews
Repiano Cornet: Dennis Carslake
2nd Comets: Rick Reeder Edward Collins Colin Bonney
3rd Comets: Michael Webber Phillip Neville
Flugel Horm: John Capp
Solo Horn: Ian Sutton
1st Horn: Nigel Cox
2nd Horn: Nicholas Hitchens
1st Baritone: John Roberts
2nd Baritone: Vivian Hawkey
Solo Trombone: Trevor Hargraves
2nd Trombone: Michael Davis
Bass Trombone: Trevor Hitchens
Solo Euphonium: Kevin Ackford
2nd Euphonium: Andrew Kemp
E flat Bass: Clive Fewins Gary Hooper
B flat Bass Ian Hitchens Phil Harris
Percussion: Terry O’Brien Johnathan Hooper David Cox
ABOUT THE BAND:
The history of banding in St. Austell is unclear. The earliest mention we can find is in the ‘West Briton’ dated 20th April 1838. It reports that a recently formed band at St. Austell joined up with the St. Blaney Amateur Bra. Band who met at St. Austell, and “… United in playing several popular and favourite airs in different parts of the town.” Other documents mention the ‘St. Austell Volunteer Band (Infantry)’ which was formed in the early 1900’s, and the formation in 1919, of a brass band more as we know it today. From this period the band survived with varied success until the emergencies of the second world war forced disbandment in 1940. In 1943 the band was reformed with many players new to the area This band achieved a high standard, broadcasting on many occasions, and, in 1946, won the West of England Regional Final in the Championship section. At the end of the second world war, as many of these players returned to their own bands, the St. Austell band deteriorated financially and in playing strength, and gradually slipped out of the lime-light. The St. Austell Band’s return to prominence was marked in 1972 when they were placed 2nd in the W.D. & H.O. Wills Contest at the Royal Albert Hall followed, in 1973, by 5th place in the finals of the National Bra. Band Championships and, in 1974, when they became Cornish Champions for the first time, They have won the South-West Bands’ Association Contest on nine occasions over the last sixteen years. 1981 was their most successful year to date, winning the Yeovil Entertainment Contest in February and, in November, became the first Cornish Championship Section Band to win a major competition — the Pontin’s Bra. Band Championships. The St Austell Band is, indeed, fortunate to own what must be the finest Bra. Band premises in the country, for which they must be most thankful to the continuous hard work put in by the band committee. Their other great fortune came when Albert Chappell, after a long and distinguished career in brass banding, decided to ‘retire’ to Cornwall. His appointment as Conductor brought the band years of experience in band training and leadership. The fruits of his labours are now in evidence on this record and he, in turn, is justifiably proud of this thriving organization.
ABOUT THE MUSIC:
This programme portrays the many styles of Goff Richards’ writing. From STAGE CENTRE, an ideal opener with all the verve and bustle associated with the few moments before the curtain rises, through to THE AERONAUTS a recent contest test-piece. An inevitable choice was for a trombone solo (Goff was once a trombone-playing member of the Cornwall Youth Band) and his arrangement of the Cornish melody SWEET NIGHTINGALE is ably played by Trevor Hargraves. The other featured solo is John Capp on Hugel hom with a beautiful arrangement of THE FOLKS WHO LIVE ON THE HILL. Each item marks a milestone for the composer. FLYING FINGERS was written for the National Finals Concert 1980; SONGS OF THE QUAY, the Rothmans Brass In Concert test-piece 1980; THE JAGUAR for the RAF Central Band. TRAILBLAZE greatly assisted St. Austell in winning the Yeovil Contest and what finer, to follow in the footsteps of the Floral Dance, than MAY DANCE another fine folk-song from Padstow to set your feet tapping.
ABOUT GOFF RICHARDS:
Goff Richards was born in St Minver, Cornwall, of a musical family. His father, W. T. Richards, was the local bandmaster, his mother, Charlotte, Church organist and sister, Joyce, Chorister and pianist. Needless to say, he was soon playing in the St Minver Silver Band and singing in the church choir! On leaving Bodmin Grammar School he went to the Royal College of Music, London (where he studied trombone and composition) and then to Reading University. Following university, he returned to Cornwall to take up a teaching post at Fowey School, and it is interesting to note that two of his ex-pupils are in the present St Austell band! He was greatly encouraged with his early compositions by Malcolm Arnold, who was living in Cornwall at the time, and he arranged for Goff s early work to be published. Keen to pursue a career as a performer, he formed the Goff Richards’ Band and commenced a successful period with engagements at luxury venues throughout the world. His appointment, in 1976, as a lecturer in music at the Salford College of Technology brought him back into closer contact with bands and led to his revival in interest in writing for this form. His fine compositions and arrangements for brass bands are now finding their way into the library of every forward-looking band. His musical talents stretch in every direction — arranger for the BBC Northern Radio Orchestra — arranging and composing for the internationally famous King’s Singers —appearing regularly for the BBC as a Conductor, etc. In 1976 Goff Richards was honoured by being made a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd and took the title Gwas Mynver. Goff looks forward to the future with a very busy schedule of commissions and assignments — an exciting one being to write the test piece for the 1984, Diamond Jubilee, West of England Championships. This will certainly have a Cornish Flavour! The St. Austell Band are proud to be associated with, and take this opportunity to mark the success of, the Cornish-born composer-arranger Goff Richards.
Recorded at Engineer. St Austell September 1981
Michael Moor Mixed at Art Direction: Samara Productions Ltd.
Hilary Scudder Producer.
Sleeve printed and Stan Kitchen made in England by Senol Printing Ltd.