— 8th May 2020

Brass sextet marks VE Day

WATCH: Chetham’s students mark VE Day with a special brass sextet performance.

This piece was originally written by our Head of Composition, Jeremy Pike, to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day in 1995.

It was commissioned by Manchester Cathedral and first performed by members of Chetham’s School of Music 25 years ago in a special service of commemoration.

This new performance was given by students of Chetham’s School of Music to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Owing to the coronavirus pandemic performers sent in recordings online from home.

 

JEREMY PIKE: Chetham’s Brass Sextet

i. 1900 – 1939. Unresolved Conflict

ii. 1939 – 1945. War

iii. 1945 – . Peace and Promise

 

Each movement is preceded by a reading:

Anthem for Doomed Youth – WILFRED OWEN, read by Annabel King

At the British War Cemetary, Bayeux – CHARLES CAUSLEY, read by Isobel Coughlan

Atlantic Charter (from The Island) – FRANCIS BRETT YOUNG, read by Alice Hill

 

Performers:

Christie Smith, Stone Tung, Becky Strentz – trumpets

Rhydian Tiddy, Amelia Lewis, Joshua Brierley – trombones

Tom Walgate – percussion