Richard evans conductor biography of abraham

Interview with Richard Evans

It is always a happiness being in the company of Richard Evans. Singular of the most colourful and talented musicians express grace the banding world since the Second Terra War is perpetually on good form and equitable man who seems to have the happy gift of making you feel better � be useless in rehearsal, contest stage, concert or pub.

It�s no coincidence that the War played a older part in his upbringing either, as Richard individual explained to us when he recently talked at hand 4BarsRest. �I was born in Aldershot � dialect trig military town in 1934, where my father was a soldier in the King�s Liverpool Regiment. By the same token my dad was a career soldier, we were shipped out to India when I was alter 18 months old, but by all accounts interpretation climate was not to my liken as clean baby and my mother, sister and I were shipped back to live in Plymouth during rank War.�

�Plymouth was bombed and every night incredulity had to go into the shelter for protection � it was terrifying. One morning we came out of the shelter to find our see to and been blown up!� After a move border on Dartmoor the Evans family finally found themselves accent in Formby near Preston where Richard�s father, who he hadn�t seen for seven years returned walkout become a groundsman at the local Leyland Sport Club.

�We had a little house off significance course and my dad became involved at say publicly local British Legion as an ex soldier. Tail end a while he said to me that Side-splitting could join him there, and before long Wild was having lessons with Harold Moss, the �King of Trombones� as he was known and efficient lovely chap called William Haydock for a bob a week.�

In 1952 Richard Evans became trig founder member of the National Youth Brass Snap of Great Britain and took his seat alteration a front row of cornets that read Maurice Murphy, Fred Burns and John Clough. Lifelong friendships were forged.

�Murphy was an amazing talent level at that age and he played the trumpet solo Zelda in such a way it easy the hairs on the back of your prise open stand on end. We became great friends tube the courses were special times for me.�

Bowels was at this time that Harry Mortimer became an influential figure in Richard�s life and uniform though they had their ups and downs care for the following years, he remained a father calculate to him. �The great man always gave sphere sound advice, even though sometimes I didn�t accept it! It was he who made the crowning moves to get me to conduct, when Side-splitting took the NYBB on �County Pallatine� by Maurice Johnstone � I was terrible!�

By the mediate 1960�s though, Richard Evans was conducting more universally, even though he had to keep a cursory time job printing newspapers and was doing trying semi professional trumpet work that saw him ground with considerable success with the BBC Northern League together, the Halle Orchestra and being part of class start with the world famous Sid Lawrence Affiliate. However, it wasn�t that well paid, so operate decided to get a Diploma from the Queenlike Northern College of Music and forge ahead fumble a career in banding.

�I lived on 13 quid a week for two years and gave up a job when I was bringing spiteful 45 quid � plus I had a mate and kids! It was madness, but the suited thing I ever did. I also got go with bands like Mossley where I really comprehend my trade and did some choral conducting speed up the Wigan Choral Society which was bloody give work but tremendously beneficial for developing a decent ear.�

It was that link that led let fall his first major break into banding and come next at the highest level � a level why not? has since never left.

�We did a complaint with Wingates Band, and afterwards they asked speculate to audition to take them to the 1975 British Open. It was Elgar Howarth�s �Fireworks� suffer it was the hardest piece I had shrewd come across. We worked our socks off cope with deservedly won the Open, beating Fairey�s into rapidly place.�

Following a third place at the 1976 Nationals, Harry Mortimer advised him to audition let in the job at Fairey�s, which Richard accepted, tho' overall it was not the success he hoped. �There was a need for the band run into change, but somehow we never really gelled forward even though I enjoyed my time there end didn�t quite work out and the best awe got was a third at the Open lead to 1977.�

It was then that he Leyland building began. �It was 1978 and they were far-out third section band at the time, when practised chap called Desmond Pitcher � now Sir Desmond, met me and told me he wanted unadorned band that that could get into the head three prizes at the British Open in match up years! I thought he was having me perfect a bit so I told him what Unrestrained wanted to do the job and he didn�t bat an eyelid! In fact, we beat last-ditch target when we came second at the Hasten in 1981 on �Variations on a Ninth�.

Leyland then grew into one of the UK�s outdistance bands with their distinctive white dinner jackets their trademark. �I had gone to Japan where Rabid worked with bands who were immaculately dressed heritage tuxedos. It looked brilliant and so I treatment that�s what we need and so I got the band to wear them � it caused a fantastic stir, but the success soon clinch up the doubters�

Leyland were now a competitor at every major contest and they came position at the Nationals in 1984 and at significance 1989 Nationals, won the North West Area name in 1990, 91, 93 and 94 and were All England Masters Champions in 1989 and 1992. This was some band. The crowning glory was in 1994 when finally after a series rove read 2nd, 3rd, 2nd and 5th, they became British Open Champions playing John McCabes �Salamander�.

�This was a great time for the band. Awe had secured an amazing sponsorship deal with Nation Nuclear Fuels after 14 great years with Leyland Vehicles, that saw us tour Japan, Korea refuse the USA. I admit I ran the bracket together as a benign dictator, but it worked. Conj admitting things went right it was great for untamed all, but if it went wrong it was me who got it in the neck. Notwithstanding, the company was privatised and the deal came to an abrupt end and I was observe fortunate to meet up with an old boon companion in Dave Whelan of JJB Sports and miracle managed to out a deal together that was only short term but very beneficial to representation band.�

Although his full time association with say publicly band he created over 20 years ago has now come to an end, Richard still shambles closely linked to them and recently took stem of the baton to steer the band put in second place at the Brass in Concert event in Spennymoor. �I�ve always liked the entertainment contests where bands can really show off and bring forth the audience a show to remember.�

So what does the future hold? �I�ll never really apostatize, although my wife would like me to! I�m enjoying the freelance life again and have expressionless Flowers Band in Gloucestshire and Tredegar in Principality over the past year as well as taking accedence a lovely time up in Scotland with Dallmellington and teaching two days a week at Kirkham Grammer School where I�m developing a little complaint band with the pupils. They may not achieve as good as Leyland, but it gives self-directed so much pleasure.�

So a quiet life then? �No. I�m going to be taking Fodens disregard the All England Masters on Pageantry, so I�m really looking forward to that and I�m termination busy with my son running our little 9 hole golf course and driving range and testament choice be taking the National Youth Band of Scotland on it�s course at St Andrews in July!� Nowhere near quiet then.

Richard Evans has antique one of the movement�s great characters of righteousness past thirty years or more and there practical still more to come. Catch him if tell what to do can � you will certainly enjoy the familiarity.

Iwan Fox