British Army Band Catterick
The Band
British Army Band Catterick, based in Catterick Garrison, is one of two Regular Army Brass Bands.
The band was formed in 2019, bringing together musicians from the bands of The Royal Armoured Corps, The King’s Division and The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
British Army Band Catterick provides a variety of musical ensembles in addition to its marching band capability, including brass quintets and a contemporary rock band.
RCAM 30 Legacy Recordings
A Moorside Suite Movement III. March – Gustav Holst
Gustav Holst was commissioned to write A Moorside Suite for the 1928 National Championships of Great Britain, it is his only work for brass band. Holst’s contribution to military band music proved to be the instigator of new works by composers such as Gordon Jacob and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Therefore, British Army Band Catterick’s performance of the March from A Moorside Suite is in homage to Gustav Holst, who made a significant contribution to the future and longevity of military band music.
Water of Tyne – Philip Harper
A traditional folk song, usually sung by a female voice, from the North-East of England. The words describe how she cannot get to her true love with the water of the Tyne being a barrier between them. With British Army Band Catterick being based in the North of England, and consequently having many connections in the area and local communities, this work is a fitting tribute to these links and important relationships.
Horizons – Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Paul Lovatt-Cooper is arguably one of the most highly regarded modern composers for brass band concert and contest repertoire. British Army Band Catterick wanted to include one of his works to represent his significance as a composer for the genre. Horizons encapsulates many of his trademark features that conclude in an energetic drive towards a triumphant finale.
Christmas 2024 Recordings
The Spirit of Christmas – Peter Graham
The Spirit of Christmas is a lively composition is based on the Sussex Carol, a Christmas carol popular in Britain, sometimes referred to by its first line “On Christmas night all Christians sing”. Its words were first published by Luke Wadding, a late 17th-century poet and bishop of the Catholic Church in Ireland, in a work called Small Garland of Pious and Godly Songs (1684). Peter Graham is synonymous with brass band music and this is another fine example of an original brass band work by one of brass banding’s most famous composers.
In The Bleak Midwinter – arr Jonathan Bates
“In the bleak midwinter” is an English poem published in 1872 by Christina Rossetti. In 1906, Gustav Holst set the poem to the hymn tune “Cranham” and this became one of the most well-known Christmas carols. This modern arrangement was written by Jonathan Bates and is played here by tenor horn soloist Musician Andy Thompson.
Gaudete! – Kevin Norbury
Gaudete! by Kevin Norbury is a Christmas mini-overture featuring three medieval carols: Coventry Carol; Gaudete; and Unto us a boy is born. The writing is extremely technical and demands a virtuosic approach by every player in the ensemble. Nonetheless, it is as fun to play as it is to listen to!
A Christmas Finale – Paul Lovatt-Cooper
As the title suggests, A Christmas Finale provides an ideal close to any Christmas concert. Paul Lovatt-Cooper has taken a collection of popular works associated with Christmas and expertly crafted this wonderful piece to provide both the listener and performer with an exciting Christmas musical experience. A note from the composer: “I love the magic of Christmas. I find the whole experience exciting…it is the music I love the most, from Christmas carols to Christmas number ones, it all adds to the unique atmosphere and sense of joviality associated with this wonderful time of year.”