Let's trumpet a musical milestone (From Salisbury Journal)

Let's trumpet a musical milestone

8:34am Thursday 15th February 2007 in Journal Features

SALISBURY Symphony Orchestra has three reasons to celebrate 2007, for it was 90 years ago, in 1917, that Salisbury Cathedral organist Sir Walter Alcock founded the orchestra.

What's more, 2007 is also the 150th anniversary year of the birth of the orchestra's first president, Sir Edward Elgar.

The third reason is that it is 100 years since Elgar composed his Symphony No. 1 in A flat major.

This piece will be performed, alongside Haydn's Trumpet Concerto and Brahms' Variations on a Theme of Haydn (the St Anthony Chorale), by the orchestra in a 90th anniversary concert in March in Salisbury Cathedral.

Salisbury Symphony Orchestra was originally named Salisbury Orchestral Society, when founded by Sir Walter Alcock, and at first comprised only string players, who performed jointly with Salisbury Musical Society.

In 1931, a small wind section was added and the orchestra decided to go it alone, expanding into a full symphony orchestra in 1933. This was due in part to the work of Mr C P Merry, father of cellist Eileen Merry, the society's secretary for 50 years.

It was only in 2003 that the orchestra voted to change its name to Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, which was deemed to be a better reflection of the orchestra's true identity.

Salisbury Orchestral Society was certainly not the first orchestra to perform in the city.

In March 1894 Salisbury Philharmonic Society gave its inaugural concert, opening patriotically, in true Victorian style, with the national anthem.

However, this society comprised a chorus and orchestra of 120 performers, and was not solely instrumental.

There was also an orchestra in Salisbury between 1887 and 1889, conducted by cathedral organist Charles F South and, although Eileen Merry did research to try and find what became of it, she drew a blank.

On her death, Eileen Merry bequeathed in her will a sum of money to the orchestra which has become the Eileen Merry memorial fund and offers financial help to young musical people.

Today, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra is bursting with talent and enthusiasm from its amateur players. Flautist Graham Daniels celebrates his 51st year as member of the orchestra and for 38 years was chairman. He has fond memories of his early days with the orchestra.

"We used to rehearse in the big room on the first floor at Church House and performed in the Guildhall," he said.

"It meant we could never put on a piano concerto, we just didn't have the space."

And he remembers when he first joined the orchestra.

"The first flute was a retired brigadier, and didn't I know it. I was a humble lieutenant in the Royal Artillery and only a second flute," he laughs.

Asked what changes he has seen in the orchestra during the past 50 years, he replied: "There is a huge improvement in the number and quality of string players. The sheer size of the orchestra has grown, both in terms of people and quality. It means we have more choice for repertoire, although these days we have to work a lot harder because the works we perform are harder, but I get a total kick out of all of it."

One of the roles assigned to the chairman is having the guest soloists to stay.

"We have had some fantastic people, including my nephew, oboist Nicholas Daniel, who insists he will only stay if my wife bakes one of her Victoria sponges," says Graham humorously.

The orchestra performs two regular concerts a year in the City Hall, usually in March and November, as well as joint collaborations with Salisbury Musical Society. Among its core repertoire are works for full symphony orchestra from the Romantic era to the 20th century. Above all, the orchestra continually aspires to the highest level of musical performance, aided by conductor David Halls, music director at Salisbury Cathedral.

Conductors of the orchestra have always been one of the cathedral's organists.

Rosamund Bromley became the orchestra's leader in 2004. A professional musician, she now teaches violin at Salisbury Cathedral School and has recently taken up painting, particularly portraits of musicians. Her first one-day exhibition was held at Salisbury Arts Centre recently. One of her paintings depicts Crispian Steele-Perkins, who is among the world's most respected virtuoso trumpeters, and who will be the guest soloist in March for Haydn's Trumpet Concerto.

Salisbury Symphony Orchestra's concert is on Saturday, March 17, and tickets are available from the City Hall box office.

Bowing to best in the business
LEADER Rosamund Bromley plays on a rather special violin. Dated 1787, it was made by Salisbury violin-maker Benjamin Banks.

Banks ran a thriving business for more 40 years making violins, cellos and violas at 17 Catherine Street (now opticians Dolland & Aitchison) from 1747.

Among his customers was the Earl of Pembroke, who commissioned a cello to be made from a fallen cedar of Lebanon from the grounds of Wilton House.

Some of the finest violins ever made in England were produced in Benjamin Banks' shop and, today, they are collectors' items. A quartet of his historic instruments can be seen, together with a representation of the violin shop, in the costume gallery at Salisbury and South Wiltshire museum, in the Cathedral Close.

Banks died in 1795. He is buried with his wife Ann in St Thomas' churchyard in the city. The tombstone is marked with a fitting epitaph: "In memory of the most eminent English maker of stringed musical instruments."

Although the violin is owned by Salisbury district council, it is on loan to the leader of Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, who gets to play this beautiful instrument.

Loadsa brass for long service
Tuba player Jonathan Hodgetts is justifiably proud of his brand new E-flat rotary valve tuba. For it has been handmade in Germany to Jonathan's specifications in gold brass (the very best quality brass). He bought it courtesy of a long-service award for 25 years working with the Performing Rights Society, which represents composers and music publishers.

Incidentally, the engraving on Jonathan's tuba says: "Melton Spezial 2040/5 Mr Tuba".