XBY gets national gold at Gateshead

Posted 10th April 2007

XBY reconfirmed their status as one of the top wind bands in the UK, by winning another Gold Award at the National Concert Band Festival finals, at the Sage in Gateshead, on Saturday, March 31 2007.

The aujudicators awards top grades to every single catagory in the awards criteria, and described their perfomance of Music of the Spheres (Philip Sparke) as impressive, exciting and fantastic.

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XBY's golden ticket to Gateshead

Posted 28th November 2006

After a 15 month break from competing, XBY swung back into action on Sunday 26th November, winning a gold award at the Midlands regional heat of the National Concert Band Festival, in Northampton.

Their passionate performance of Philip Sparke's Sunrise at Angel's Gate and 2nd Movement of Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F, featuring soloist Michael Dolovich, was described by adjudicator, Keith Allen, as 'simply sublime'.

The band is now looking forward to building on this success at the national final in Gateshead in March.

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XBY's Recording of Philip Sparke's Harlequin CD is released

Posted 6th September 2006

Last March, XBY was privileged to record the Harlequin CD with Philip Sparke and euphonium soloist, David Childs.

The CD has been released this month, and XBY's conductor, Dennis Mycroft is very pleased with the result. "This recording takes the band to a new level and represents a unique moment of achievement for the band."

The band is being promoted worldwide as part of the promotional material for this launch. More information on Philip Sparke's website.

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XBY Sellout at St. John's Smith Square

Posted September 2006

The XBY Concert Band performed in front of a sell-out audience at St John's, Smith Square, in Westminster on July 16th. They were delighted to have the composer, Philip Sparke, among the 500-strong crowd who turned up to hear their joint 'American Connections' concert with the Kew Wind Orchestra.

Both bands received rapturous applause throughout this exciting programme. Especially well received was the dynamic performance of Gershwin's Concerto in F - the London Premiere of a new arrangement for piano and wind band by Herman S Gersten, for which XBY were honoured to have as their piano soloist Michael Dolovich.

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XBY records Philip Sparke's new works

Posted 24th April 2006

Following XBY's outstanding success at the 2005 World Music Competition in achieving a gold award with the European premiere of Philip Sparke's "Music of the Spheres", XBY have just completed recording Philip Sparke's new works for wind band. This included the "Harlequin" concerto for euphonium & wind band which XBY were honoured to record with David Childs.

The CD is due for release by Anglo Music in summer 2006 - check back here soon!