Internationally recognised wind orchestra Northamptonshire Orchestral Winds (NOW) joined forces with word-renowned composer Adam Gorb to launch the first composer festival of its kind.

The debut event place on 14-15^th April, at Wellingborough School, Wellingborough. It was a two-day marathon of full-rehearsals, personal practice and other enhancing workshops focussing exclusively on Gorb’s challenging and contemporary works.

Adam Gorb, who is the Head of Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, personally coached the band in approaching a selections of his very challenging  pieces. The composer also introduced each of his pieces to guests at the concert which drew the weekend to a celebratory close.

Highlights of the concert were the bands’ fiery performances of two UK premieres, the fascinating and atmospheric Towards Nirvana (representing the life of the  Buddha); from sin and vice to a perfect state of peace and tranquillity, with its tuned gongs,  temple bell, off-stage Tibetan Pipes, woodwind doubling recorders and monastic humming: and Adrenaline City a fast rhythmic excursion through a colourful city with sleazy night-life. Both of these pieces are due to be performed by the group in a Showcase concert at the BASBWE International Wind Band Festival in Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow on 1^st July 2007.

The concert closed with Adam’s extraordinary, witty and fun Dances from Crete, with its drunken trumpet players rolling in late from the pub, and smashing plates as they do in partyies on the Greek islands.

Smooth-running and well-organised with lunches and tea breaks provided, the event was a chance for musicians to meet and mingle. Musical Director of the band Andrew Bassey said, ‘It was a very successful and enjoyable weekend - the first of many to come. The band improved enormously in such a short space of time. We are very grateful to Adam for his guidance and hope he will join us again in a couple of years; perhaps with some more premieres.’

Serving, educating and entertaining the community is part of NOW’s project. NOW place high importance on promoting modern day composers and offered the concert for free with wine and cheese for the guests. Donations were gratefully received and contributed towards NOW’s trip to Carnegie Hall, New York in March 2008.

To find out about NOW’s up-and-coming events visit the website www.now4band.co.uk. If you are interested in donating towards the band’s trip to Carnegie Hall, join a group, or start a band instrument you can call freephone number 08000 79 149 or email info@now4band.co.uk for more details.

Jo Burge

Adam Gorb Festival Concert Programme

Sunday 15th April 6.15pm Senior School Hall

Wellingborough School, Wellingborough, Northants

All works introduced by Adam Gorb and conducted by Andrew Bassey

Adrenaline City     UK Premiere

Over Hill, Over Dale

Towards Nirvana     UK Premiere

Bermuda Triangle    Northampton Commission

Dances From Crete