Greetings

For concert bookings and other special projects please contact nigel@boddice.fsnet.co.uk

STOP PRESS

Pride and place goes to the class of 07 at West Lothian for their wonderful performance in Perth, where they claimed a hat trick of Scottish Championship gold awards and winning titles. Music included folk songs from Britain and Europe, South American dance and film themes.

Fine working trips to Denmark, England , Germany and Norway were all enjoyed this Autumn. It was indeed a pleasurable insight to learn more about Norwegian folk music, including the first ever manuscript to be found and recorded form the eleventh century. All of that was brought to the fore by the composer Idar Torskangerpoll and played brilliantly by Molde Brass .

Great concerts were enjoyed from the special ensemble, the Royal Norwegian Navy Band, a band for whom I have great affection. There is a simply a great rapport both with the orchestra and the audience at their Last Night of the Proms concerts.

It now seems a long time ago, but the summer ended with fine concerts from the West of Scotland winds this year. Superb progress throughout the summer from all. Many thanks.

Finally, I was pleased to receive the new wind orchestra CD from the National Youth Wind band of Wales called Cloudburst with great music from Scotland, a new percussion concerto from Gareth Wood and the Martin Ellerby spiritual Dona Nobis Pacem all recorded live in concert.

All good wishes

Nigel