One Final Sandpaper Duet
On Saturday the 15th of May the band played their annual concert at St. Dunstan’s Church in Cranbrook. Starting with “Pastime with Good Company” the band and audience enjoyed music of many different genres. Soon however it was time for the second half and something a little different !
Sharon's Swan Song
For Sharon McCallum one of the bands solo cornets and former “Principal Cornet” this was to be her swan song and thus presented us with an opportunity to give a final performance of the Sandpaper Ballet, a piece which had become a regular contest between Sharon and fellow band member Colin Batt over recent years.
Before the piece, chairman David Newsom demanded health and safety precautions were followed to the letter and the two soloists were made to wear protective masks and goggles before being allowed to take their “instruments of choice” for the piece – Sandpaper blocks.
In an ever increasing effort to better the other, each player took up a larger block as the piece progressed. As the pictures no doubt show, its all a bit of fun and gave the audience a giggle.
Sharon, who left the band to move to Wales shortly after the concert had been a member for 16 years and is renowned for her work repairing brass instruments as well as her fine playing. She will be sorely missed but will no doubt be calling in at the SCABA contests in future where we hope to catch up on her latest escapades.
Recording
We didn’t quite manage to record Sharon’s last solo performance with the band but we do already have a clip of the Sandpaper Ballet on-line. A YouTube clip of Sharon and Colin performing at the Queens Hall in 2007 can be seen below.
Gallery
Programme
The Complete Programme from the Concert
Make Me a Channel of your Peace
High on a Hill (Cornet Solo)
Chanson D’Amour
Demelza (Tenor Horn Solo)
Grandfather’s Clock (Euphonium Solo)
A Gaelic Blessing
Hollywood
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Army of the Nile
Sandpaper Ballet (DIY Solo !)
Bass in the Ballroom (Bass Solo)
Und Ein Bier (Trombone Solo)
Mongolian Folk Tune
Saying Goodbye
Mack the Knife
Music
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The Hustle (Encore)
Sandpaper Ballet
Sandpaper Ballet by Leroy Anderson
Composed for orchestra, Sandpaper Ballet was written during 5 days before recording on June 25, 1954, in analog mono sound, which was the first performance. It is 3 minutes and 10 seconds long. It was re-recorded in analog stereo sound by the composer on May 28, 1959.
Composer quote: “Many years ago while the soft shoe dance was still popular in vaudeville, sometimes dancers would sprinkle sand on the stage to create a crackling sound while performing. The drummers imitated this sound by attaching sandpaper on wooden blocks which they rubbed rhythmically against each other. This was the background for my piece “Sandpaper Ballet.” The sandpaper covered blocks are in this case imitated by two drummers. They use sand-paper in three different strengths, coarse, medium and fine, to create different effects.”