In The Moment

For the Barnet Band, 130 Years 2019.

The Barnet band is 130 years old in 2019. Unusually, they started as just brass and added woodwind later to become a wind band. The piece reflects this, beginning with a solo trumpet and then full brass section. The woodwind enter in score order and in inversion of the opening interval. New themes are added until they all play together leading to a reflective melody indicating togetherness and mindfulness. The piece is named to encourage playing for the moment and enjoying the band as it is in the present day.

Keiron Anderson studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Philip Jones OBE at a time when the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble was established as a real force in brass chamber music. He was fascinated by the methods used by Philip Jones to achieve the unique and sophisticated blend of the instruments and players and how to apply the techniques to other same-family instrumental groups. At the RNCM, Keiron experienced a wide range of musical styles including founding the college Big Band and Light Orchestra which involved arranging film music and jazz classics. After graduating, Keiron worked as a freelance trumpet player with many orchestras around the UK including the soon to be disbanded BBC Northern Radio Orchestra. He then spent several years with his own group as a Musical Director for Cunard Line before returning to the UK to compose, conduct and teach music. He now conducts the acclaimed Harlequin Brass Ensemble, Yorkshire Wind Orchestra, Nottingham Symphonic Winds, Phoenix Concert Band and works with many ensembles around the country. He has written music in a vast array of styles for Wind Orchestra, Brass Band, Clarinet Choir, Flute Ensemble, Brass Dectet, Saxophone Groups and String Orchestra as well as several musicals and vocal works.

‍