Manukau Concert Band and West City Concert Band present ANGELS’ ASCENT.
Thursday, 3 April 2025
7:30 pm
Auckland Town Hall
West City Concert Band and Manukau Concert Band are staging a dazzling celebration of wind music in the Auckland Town Hall.
These award-winning and nationally recognised symphonic bands from Tamaki Makaurau will come together to create a musical performance of epic proportions.
Presenting music by:
- James Barnes
- Philip Sparke
- Frank Ticheli
- Ralph Vaughan-Williams
- Franco Cesarini
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West City Concert Band will open with Symphonic Overture by James Barnes, a joyous and Romantic-style trip around all sections of the band, with elements of Italian opera and Broadway. Next up: Philip Sparke’s Clarinet Concerto (mvt 2) which intersperses sweeping, warm themes with the soloist’s intricate and jazzy descant melody. Frank Ticheli’s Angels in the Architecture is an evocative 21st century work which incorporates themes of light and dark in a constant and dramatic struggle, interwoven with three hymns and songs of peace and hope.
Manukau Concert Band will begin their set with a brief nautical interlude: the famous Sea Songs by Ralph Vaughan-Williams. Finally, we present Franco Cesarini’s symphonic masterpiece: Symphony No. 1 – The Archangels. This vast work in four movements, each representing a different archangel, takes thematic material from old Gregorian chants and weaves them into dramatic soundscapes. Manukau will be taking this programme to Melbourne to compete in the Australian Band Championships at the end of April. Come along to support them in their quest for Trans-Tasman gold.
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Auckland community wind band, consisting of volunteers who practice together weekly and perform at various events throughout Auckland. The band is made up of people of all ages, and has encouraged many people to renew their love of music and performing.
scale band programs, West City has worked with the community to fill this gap and provide a concert band program for West Auckland youth. Our youth band comprises students from various West Auckland high schools and practices weekly during the school term.