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Belgian Meechan Festival

As part of this final exam at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent – Belgium’s Brass Band Buizingen principal euphonium player choose to feature his beloved band and Pete Meechan’s music during a concert next Saturday at his home town – Beerse.

Although not that old (!) to receive a complete brass band programme of its own music Pete Meechan is regarded as one of the most original voices in contemporary brass band music.

The concert will open with B of the Bang commissioned by Brass Band Buizingen and their conductor Luc Vertommen in 2005 and already receiving word wide performances in either the brass band or the later composed wind band version.  B of the Band refers to the famous quote by the British Olympic Gold medal winning sprinter, Linford Christie who always used to say that he left his blocks ‘on the B of the Bang’.

Next in the programme will be two established solo works, the first written for David Thornton and based on Paganini’s theme – Devil’s Duel, and the beautiful Elegie for trombone.

The final piece, and the ‘tour de force’ of the evening, will be the 20 minute concerto for soprano sax and band. 

This piece in three movements was composed between 2001 and 2002, and was premiered in April 2002, performed by the Rob Buckland and the RNCM Symphony Orchestra - conducted by Clark Rundell.

The version for soprano saxophone and brass band was made by Brass Band Buizingen’s conductor Luc Vertommen especially for the occasion and was made in close cooperation with the composer.  This huge work asks for four percussion players, electric guitar, bass guitar and piano – besides of the difficult accompaniment work for the band.

Guest soloist in this unique combination for soprano saxophone and band will be Björn Verschoore.