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The Latest News from Music House Productions
Last updated 4th March 2010
"Remembrance" MHP1709
In an extremely busy start to the year we have returned from our second visit to Colchester having completed the recording aspects of two CDs which we are producing for The Band of The Parachute Regiment based at Merville Barracks in the garrison town.
The final items which have now been completed include a song written by Classic FM presenter John Brunning, entitled "When Poppies Fall". This CD will be available for the traditional Remembrance events later this year.
The second CD features the music from the individual units who form the 16 Air Assault Brigade. Amongst others there are regiments from the Army Air Corps, the Parachute Regiment, Household Cavalry in addition to units from both Scotland and Ireland. This CD will be available in early May.
Full details of the Band can be found on the Parachute Regiment website.
In association with Richard Scott at RAS we spent the first of two days recording with the Ashton-on Mersey Showband based in the north west. The band was formed thirty five years ago by Ernie Waites and initially based at Ashton-on-Mersey School in Sale, Cheshire where his son was a pupil.
The band is entirely self-funding and has given over £500K to UK charities and they specialise in playing their own arrangements many from the former band leader and latterly by Ivan Lewis.
The current recording will be the sixth to be completed by the band and you can learn more about them by visiting Ashton on Mersey Showband
"The Millennium Chapel Gospel Choir"
In collaboration with RAS Audio Services we have started work on a second recording with the Millennium Chapel Gospel Choir. The earlier project, "That The World May Know" was released in the summer of 2008.
The choir, conducted by Rob Wilding, is a community based organisation centred at the Canon Slade School in Bolton and the CD will be available in the early part of June.
To learn more about the choir please visit their website at MCGC
"Smile - Carol Jarvis"
In September last year we undertook a recording with the ladies from "Boobs and Brass" and flugel soloist John Lee with the entire proceeds from the sale of these CDs being donated to the cancer charity Breast Cancer Campaign. The success of that CD can only be described as remarkable.
Taking part in that recording was Carol Jarvis, an international trombonist, who has now launched her own solo CD "Smile". Carol was diagnosed in 2004 with Hodgkins Lymphoma but she continues her fight with the disease with pioneering treatment whilst maintaining her position as one of the finest instrumentalists.
The CD features a number of well known titles in addition to material written especially for the release, one additional highlight is the beautiful cover image, "Golden Girl" painted by the artist Rolf Harris in support of the project. Money raised from sales will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.
The CD is due for release on the 25th of February but it can be pre-ordered from Divine Art. After the release date it will also be available from Macmillan Cancer Support. and for download on iTunes and Amazon.
Should you have any difficulties please contact us here and to learn more about Carol Jarvis visit her website at caroljarvis.com
"Viva Musica" MHP1509
We have now completed the work with the Band of the Royal Corps of Signals.
The CD will be launched at a concert which will be held on Thursday 25th February 2010 at Milton Abbey in Blandford Dorset
You can learn more about the band at their website The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals.
"Over The Edge" MHP1609
The work with the Belgian euphonium player Nick Ost and the Fodens Band has now been completed and the CD will be available in early February.
The recording features works by Flemish composers including François Glorieux, Roger Derongé, Bart Picqueur and Bart Watté.
The details and availabilty of the CD can be found on the Nick Ost and Fodens Band websites.
"Scherzo Brass MHP1309"
We have had another complimentary review published on the brass band website 4barsrest.com, on this occasion the review of Scherzo Brass which was completed in August.
The review praises the repertoire and the playing but also adds:- With excellent post-production work (the recording ambience is sharp but intimate) and comprehensive sleeve notes, Scherzo has delivered a very fine debut release.
The full review can be found at 4barsrest.com.
"Over The Edge" MHP1609
We have spent the weekend recording the Belgian euphonium player Nick Ost in his latest solo CD where he has been accompanied by the Fodens Band.
The recording took place at Bedford High School in Leigh and the repertoire features entirely new works by Flemish composers including Bart Picqueur and Bart Watté. Both the composers came over and took an active part in the recording process, the latter writing the piece from which the project takes its title. The CD is scheduled for completion at the end of January 2010.
Full details can be found on the Fodens Band website.
"Viva Musica" MHP1509
We have just returned from Blandford in Dorset having recorded the Band of The Royal Corps of Signals.
The project was undertaken at the beautiful Milton Abbey School and the music consists of the traditional military repertoire with some fine solo and vocal contributions.
The CD will be launched in February with a concert in Milton Abbey and you can learn more about the band at their website The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals.
"Diamond Celebration MHP309"
A comprehensive review of the Rushen Silver Band and their CD "Diamond Celebration" has been published on the brass band website 4barsrest.com.
The pleasing review notes:- The post production quality is excellent too – from the ‘in house’ art work and music notes to the usual high standard of the recording itself from Music House Productions
The full review can be found at 4barsrest.com.
"St Paul-The Tatton Singers" MHP 1809
The work on the recording of the Tatton Singers singing the Mendelssohn oratorio St Paul has been completed and the double CD of the work will be available at the next choir concert, the Annual Christmas Concert, which is being held on Saturday 12th of December.
It is believed that this is the first recording of the entire work sung in English and further information about the recording, the choir and their concert schedule please visit their website at The Tatton Singers.
"Whatever it Takes" MHP 709
The launch concert for the solo CD of flugel soloist John Lee with the girls from "Boobs and Brass" was held at the Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering on Saturday 28th November 2009.
The event was sold out and appearing with the girls were the members of the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band.
The entire proceeds from the concert and the CD sales will be donated to the charity Breast Cancer Campaign and an excellent start was made during the evening with in excess of three hundred CD sales.
Learn more about the "Boobs and Brass" ladies at their website Boobs and Brass.
You can purchase the CD from here by sending a cheque for £11 (including post and packing) payable to "Boobs and Brass".
"The Tatton Singers" MHP 1809
We recorded the latest concert given by the Tatton Singers accompanied by the Tatton Sinfonia on Saturday 14th of November at St Johns Parish Church in Knutsford. The concert, conducted by John Powell, was a complete performance of Mendelssohns oratorio St. Paul.
The soloists for the evening were Eleanor Gregory (soprano), Richard Dowling (tenor) and Richard Strivens (bass) and a double CD of the entire concert will be available before Christmas
To learn more about the choir and their concert schedule please visit their website at The Tatton Singers.
"Remembrance" MHP 1709
We have started work on yet another project with the British Army spending three days recording The Band of the Parachute Regiment based at Merville Barracks in Colchester.
The music recorded will be included in two CDs which will be issued in the new year, one of which, Remembrance, contains a selection of the traditional music associated with Remembrance Services. The recording aspects of the project will be completed when a further visit is made to Colchester in early March 2010.
To learn more about the band and see the list of forthcoming engagements visit their website The Band of the Parachute Regiment.
"Whatever it takes" MHP 709
We have completed the work on the solo album of John Lee with the girls from "Boobs and Brass" which was recorded in Northamptonshire last month.
The CD contains some fifteen solo tracks and three from the girls. It includes some established flugel numbers in addition to new arrangements by Alan Fernie, particularly the beautiful "Right Here Waiting", better known as "Whatever it Takes" from which John has taken the CD title.
It will be launched at a promotional charity event at the Lighthouse Theatre Kettering on Saturday 28th of November with the Brighouse and Rastrick Band as guests. All the proceeds from the concert and the sale of the CDs will go to Breast Cancer Campaign.
Learn more about the "Boobs and Brass" ladies at their website Boobs and Brass. You can purchase the CD from their website or from here at the price of £10 (£11 including postage and packing)
"Whatever it takes" MHP 709
A tremendous weekend was spent in the beautiful village of Higham Ferrers in Northamptonshire recording a solo album with John Lee, the flugel horn player of Brighouse and Rastrick Band accompanied by the girls of "Boobs and Brass". The locally based all female brass band was formed three years ago with its principal aim being to raise money for the Breast Cancer Campaign. Since that time over £36,000 has already been raised.
The band was conducted by the renowned conductors, Richard Evans and Derek Renshaw, and on Sunday we were joined by international trombone star Carol Jarvis who wowed everybody with her rendition of the great trombone solo in the Cole Porter song "I’ve got you under my skin"
The project was the idea of the Brighouse soloist who has raised all the funding and the CD will be launched at a concert at the Lighthouse Theatre Kettering on Saturday 28th of November where the Brighouse and Rastrick Band will be the guests. All the proceeds from the concert and the sale of the CDs will go to the Breast Cancer Campaign.
To learn more about the "Boobs and Brass" ladies please have a look at their website Boobs and Brass.
It is also well worth learning more about Carol Jarvis and visiting her website at Carol Jarvis.
"Bolton Festival Choir and Orchestra" MHP 1409
We have finished the project recording the Anniversary Concert of the Bolton Festival Choir and Orchestra at Bolton Parish Church on Sunday 30th August and the double CD is now available.
Copies of the CD have been priced at £10 including the postage and packing and these can be obtained through the choir website Bolton Festival Choir or by contacting us here.
The next project involving an augmented choir comprising members from other Bolton based ensembles, is "Bolton at the Bridgewater" a concert at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on Sunday 1st November 2009.
The programme features the choir, Bolton Symphony Orchestra and international soloists in works by Parry, Bliss and Walton. Details of the concert can be found at Bolton at the Bridgewater
"Bolton Festival Choir and Orchestra" MHP 1409
We recorded the Anniversary Concert of the Bolton Festival Choir and Orchestra at Bolton Parish Church on Sunday 30th August. The event, conducted by John Powell, featured music in celebration of the anniversaries of Handel, Purcell, Haydn and Mendelssohn.
The highlight, for many, was a new composition by Martin Lessons entitled "Our Love Burns Still" and was commissioned by Elisabeth Tatman the chairman of the organisation to celebrate her and husband Michaels Golden Wedding.
The preparations for the concert were recorded and broadcast on Bolton FM radio and a double CD of the entire concert will be available shortly.
To learn more about the choir please visit their website at Bolton Festival Choir.
"Where Eagles Sing" MHP 809
Where Eagles Sing is the title of the new recording from the Band of The Army Air Corps which was recorded in May and is due for release at a launch concert to be held in Salisbury in the first week of October.
The music on the CD is a broad mix of both traditional and more contemporary music and features a number of solos from these talented instrumentalists. The title number is a fine arrangement of the music of one of the brightest new talents in brass band music today, Paul Lovatt-Cooper.
For more information about the music and their new CD please visit the website at The Band of the Army Air Corps.
"Scherzo Brass" MHP1309"
We have completed the work on the Scherzo Brass quartet project which was recorded in early June at the Royal Northern College of Music. The recording features music by John Golland, Peter Graham, Wilfred Heaton and Jan Kotsier
The CD will be released on the 5th of September at the Great Northern Brass Arts Festival at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
You can learn more about this talented group at Scherzo Brass
"Lurline"
We were greatly privileged to spend the weekend in the company of one of the finest operatic conductors in the world, Richard Bonynge. He was born in Australia, studied in London and has been married to the the great soprano, Dame Joan Sutherland, for over fifty years.
He was in Manchester to record the opera "Lurline" with an array of international soloists and the Victorian Opera Northwest. The company was formed in 2004 with the aim of providing recordings of forgotten operas of English composers.
The weekend was a great success and enjoyed by all those taking part; the recording will be available in the autumn.
More information about the company can be found at Victorian Opera Northwest.
"Apex"
Apex is the title of the new CD which was recorded in February and has now been completed for the Sellers International Youth Band
This group of young musicians is based in Huddersfield and conducted by Mark Bousie, the principal euphonium of The Fairey Band.
The band has been successful both at local and national competitions, but perhaps its greatest achievement is the tremendous amounts of money it raises for charity through concert performances.
You can learn more about the organisation by visiting the band's website Sellers International Youth Band.
Scherzo Brass
We have spent the weekend at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester recording Scherzo Brass, a female brass quartet formed in 2006 all of whom have completed their studies recently at the RNCM.
This successful group have performed throughout the north of England and, in addition to a number of prestigious titles they have been awarded, they spend time in educational projects giving masterclasses and working as part of various outreach projects.
The CD is due for release in early September and you can learn more about the group at Scherzo Brass
Diamond Celebration
Following our wonderful trip to the Isle of Man in late March we have finished the work with the Rushen Silver Band based in the south of the island.
The recording celebrates the 60th anniversary of the formation of the band and will be launched at the bands summer fayre which is being held at Rushen Primary School on the 11th of July.
Have a look at the band website at Rushen Silver Band , you may get an invitation!
Warrington Male Voice Choir and the Cavaille Coll Organ
We have completed the work with the recording in April of the Warrington Male Voice Choir.
The CD is due for release at a concert being held at the Parr Hall in Warrington on the 27th of June and it features a number of stirring melodies each accompanied by the wonderful Cavaille Coll organ.
To learn more about the choir's activities and details of the forthcoming concerts visit their website at Warrington Male Voice Choir.
"Latest Reviews"
Two further reviews of our work have been posted on the 4barsrest website.
The Wingates Band "Extremes" CD receives a very favourable review describing it as "a very enjoyable and risk taking glimpse of a different horizon from a band and MD with a real sense of musical adventure"
Journey Home by the Unison Kinneil Band is described as an enjoyable journey and concludes "Music House Productions enhance the recording with excellent post production work and with informative sleeve notes and a cracking picture of the band circa 1858 to remind everyone of their roots"
Details of the full reviews can be found at 4barsrest/reviews.The Band of the Army Air Corps
We have returned from our travels again having spent three enjoyable days with the Band of the Army Air Corps based at the School of Army Aviation in Middle Wallop Hampshire.
The music features a number of the band's fine soloists, film music and classical elements in addition to the traditional military fayre. It is anticipated that the CD will be released in the summer.
To find out more about the band please visit their website at The Band of the Army Air Corps.
"Homecoming Brass"
We have rounded off the week with the completion of the Newtongrange Silver Band's "Homecoming Brass" recording, timed to coincide with the launch of Homecoming Scotland 2009, the events programme celebrating Scotland's great contributions to the world and the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth.
The programme features traditional Scottish music, individual soloists and singing by a local school choir and further information can be found on the band's website Newtongrange Silver Band.
"Crown Imperial"
Another release this week features The Band of the Adjutant General's Corps with their 'Crown Imperial' recording.
William Walton's brilliant march, which gives its title to this release, was originally composed for the coronation of George VI in 1937 and other music included on this recording features a number of traditional marches, film music and the Corps' Big Band.
Details about the band can be found on the British Army Website at AGC Band
"Spirit of the Valleys"
You may remember that as long ago as November last year we recorded the Tredegar Town Band in South Wales.
We are delighted to report that the work on the CD has finally been completed and will be launched in time for the band's visit to Ostende at the end of this month to compete in the European Brass Band Championships.
We wish the band great success and you may learn more about them and their European exploits by visiting their website www.tredegartownband.org/
Warrington Male Voice Choir
We spent a very enjoyable weekend at the Parr Hall in Warrington recording one of the oldest choirs in the United Kingdom, the Warrington Male Voice Choir whose origins date back to 1898.
The recording celebrates the choir's great success and also seeks to highlight the plight of the Hall's famous Cavaillé-Coll organ which is currently under threat of removal from the Parr Hall. Such has been the interest locally, and indeed nationally, that an e-petition has been set up with the government.
If you want to learn more about the choir's activities visit their website at Warrington Male Voice Choir.
If you would like to join the petition to save the historic organ please visit Petition to save the Cavaillé-Coll organ.
"Patrons' Choice No.2" reviewed
The review has been published on the brass band website 4barsrest.com about the latest recording by the Fodens' Band which was recorded in January and released to coincide with the band's annual 'Patrons' Concert'.
We are very pleased with Iwan Fox's critique which talks of "the band has teamed up with Keith Farrington’s Music House Productions and the result is an excellent release, full of top class playing backed by high quality production values."
He sums up his review by finally saying "All packaged together very neatly in post production"
Details of the full review can be found at 4barsrest.."Journey Home"
The work on the Unison Kinneil Band project 'Journey Home' has been completed and the CD will be launched on the 17th of April. Considering the recording took place less than four weeks ago we are delighted with the rapid progress made, due in no small part to the enthusiasm of the band.
The CD forms part of the celebrations being held to mark the band's 150th anniversary and more information about the band and the recording can be found on their website Unison Kinneil Band.
"Rushen Silver Band"
We have been travelling again this weekend, on this occasion to the beautiful Isle of Man to record the Rushen Silver Band based at Port Erin in the south of the island.
The recording forms part of the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the band and will be released in early June.
To learn more about this thriving band please vist their website at www.rushensilverband.org.im/ and should you be lucky enough to visit them ensure you go for at least a week as their hospitality is magnificent!
"Unfailing Love"
We have just completed the re-release of Margaret Ferguson's "Unfailing Love", a collection of twelve songs by the West African born soprano.
Margaret studied opera at the Royal Northern College of Music and has since appeared in opera, oratorio and musicals singing jazz, spirituals and gospel music throughout the UK, Europe, Africa and the USA.
Further information about all her work and recordings can be found on the website Africansoprano.com
"Marching into the Millennium"
Wingates Band has been extremely busy lately. Following the release of their innovative CD 'Extremes' they have re-released two of their most popular albums, 'Milestones' and 'Marching into the Millennium'.
Marching into the Millennium was initiated by Charlie Southern, a true legend of brass banding, who served the band for over 45 years and always wanted a recording of his favourite 'street marches'. The album was originally recorded at the turn of the millennium and has proved to be the most popular CD ever recorded by the band. This latest release has undergone a substantial facelift with updated programme notes by the band's president, David Kaye and a new front cover.
More information about the recordings can be found on their website Wingates Band.
"Journey Home"
We experienced some more wonderful Scottish hospitality again this weekend when we travelled to Bo'ness on the south bank of the Firth of Forth. We were made very welcome by the Unison Kinneil Band and recorded material for their new CD 'Journey Home'.
The CD features a number of compositions and arrangements by the band's resident conductor Paul Drury and their professional conductor Andy Duncan. It is hoped the CD will be released as early as mid April.
More information about the band and the recording can be found on their website Unison Kinneil Band.
"Homecoming"
On our travels this weekend we toured the beautiful Borders region of Scotland and were warmly welcomed by the members of the Newtongrange Silver Band south east of Edinburgh. The present Band was founded in 1892 and for over 90 years was closely linked with the coal mining industry which was the sole reason for the existence of the village of Newtongrange.
The band's recording is set to coincide with Homecoming Scotland 2009, an events programme celebrating Scotland's great contributions to the world coinciding with the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth.
Further information can be found on the band's website Newtongrange Silver Band.
"Apex"
We have spent an enjoyable weekend with the Sellers International Youth Band recording their first CD, 'Apex'. The title of the CD is taken from one of the recorded pieces, a cornet solo written for the band by Peter Meechan.
The three day recording took place in the impressive Phipps Concert Hall in the new Creative Arts Building at the University of Huddersfield.
Further information can be found on the band's website Sellers International Youth Band.
"Extremes arrives!"
All the work with the Wingates Band's latest recording, 'Extremes' has been completed.
The idea of the project was to bring together the many contrasting genres and idioms in which brass bands play and to make each piece a direct 'extreme' to the next. We look forward to hearing views about this innovative project.
Further information can be found on the band's website Wingates Band
Following the recording of the Foden's Band three weeks ago we have completed the work in fairly rapid time to allow the launch to take place on Tuesday 17th February.
The project was delivered to the manufacturer yesterday in order to meet the timetable.
Full details can be found on the Fodens Band website.
We have just returned from a three day recording session with The Band of the Adjutant General's Corps at Worthy Down near Winchester.
The thirty five strong band undertake a wide variety of engagements throughout the year both in this country and abroad and have quite a selection of musical groups which vary from a Fanfare Team to a Pop Group.
Details about the band can be found on the British Army Website at AGC Band
"Patrons' Choice No.2"
Following the success of their first 'Patrons' Choice' CD which took place around the same time last year, we recorded the Fodens Band over the weekend of the 10th and 11th of January.
The band, through their website and Patrons' Newsletter, invite suggestions for the repertoire to be performed and launch the CD at their annual Patrons Concert..
This year's recording features five of the band's star soloists in a great selection of brass band music and the date for this year's concert is Tuesday 17th February at 7.30pm at Sandbach School in Cheshire
Full details of the event can be found on the re-vamped Fodens Band website.
