Still wind in their sails after 20 super years; Having given 18 world premieres, Birmingham Symphonic Winds show no sign of letting up. Christopher Morley speaks to a loyal band. (2024)

Byline: Christopher Morley

Pre-concert drink, free programme, postconcert reception...Birmingham Symphonic Winds are really pushing the boat out for their20th anniversary concert on Saturday evening at the CBSO Centre.

It's all a world away from a cold November night in HalesowenCollege in 1992, when the ensemble held its first rehearsal, as founderand music director Keith Allen explains.

"Back in December 1991, the BBC, then at Pebble Mill, hadinvited me to record a number of pieces for wind orchestra by GuyWoolfenden (then Head of Music for the Royal Shakespeare Company). Basedon some current and many ex-players from Birmingham Schools WindOrchestra, whom I conducted at that time, we undertook a two dayrecording session of Gallimaufrey, S.P.Q.R., Deo Gracias and many more -all recently composed by Guy.

"The general feeling was that a more permanent ensemble shouldbe established to play at the highest standard possible, so on a coldnight in November 1992, with the assistance of an ex-colleague FredDeveraux and with as many ex-players from BSWO as we could contact,Birmingham Symphonic Winds met for the first time in a classroom inHalesowen."

Founder member Simon Purkess, still going strong with BSW,continues the story: "Having been in Birmingham Schools' WindOrchestra, and for a time received clarinet tuition from Keith, I jumpedat the opportunity to turn up for the fledgling rehearsal one wet andfoggy Thursday November evening at Halesowen College.

"At the time, I was a couple of years out of university, anewly qualified accountant with no playing opportunities, and I was sobusy at work that there was a real chance that my playing days would beover.

"Which would have been a real waste as I'd been playingclarinet since the age of 10, done all the grades and was principalclarinet with BSWO in my final school year. As it is, I would say thatmy playing has improved immeasurably, as has my musicianship."

Simon goes on to explain why he has stuck with BSW.

"I enjoy it too much! In fact, my fellow partners at KPMG might suggest I prioritise BSW over work. My ex-wife certainly would!It's very challenging, keeping up the high standard with limitedrehearsal and practice time, but it's very sociable and each CBSOCentre concert is a rush."

Birmingham Symphonic Winds rehearse monthly at Greswold PrimarySchool in Solihull, where "we work in partnership with the school,supporting each other's activities," says Keith.

"We first performed in joint concerts at Sutton Coldfield TownHall and the George Cadbury Hall in Bournville, and also in the NationalConcert Band Festival with great success.

"Our repertoire was firmly based on original compositions forwind orchestra by British composers - David Bedford, Philip Sparke,Gustav Holst, Philip Wilby, Guy Woolfenden and others in the firstinstance and to this day we still advance that intention.

"Since 1997, BSW have given 18 world premieres - 11 of whichwe have commissioned and it is that circle of commissioning, performing,publishing, more performing, which we believe is essential to theendorsem*nt of this medium.

"There's not another wind orchestra in the UK that hasachieved as much in this sphere as Birmingham Symphonic Winds."

Keith goes on to describe how enlightened sponsorship enabled BSWto make the CBSO Centre, just across Broad Street from Symphony Hall,its performing base. "Back in October 2001, through a contact fromthe Birmingham Symphonic Winds president Sir William Lawrence, we werefortunate to obtain sponsorship from Hortons' Estate Limited, amost enlightened development company based in central Birmingham.

"We are delighted that over the years, Hortons' havemaintained that support and have recently re-affirmed their intention tocontinue that relationship. It has enabled BSW to mount their annualseries of concerts at the CBSO Centre with soloists of internationalrepute - Alison Balsom, David Childs, Craig Ogden, Simone Rebello, andSarah Williamson among others."

Simon Purkess is keen to pay tribute to the lasting social aspectsof Birmingham Symphonic Winds.

"Absolutely. I've known Philippa (co-principal clarinet)for the whole 20 years and we are very close. And a small group,including Keith, came and played an impromptu jazz band/soul backingband for my 40th birthday party "And my girlfriend plays clarinetand sax with BSW - that's how we met. We are very close as a group,particularly after our trips - we've been to Schladming (Austria),Strasbourg, Chicago, Killarney, and last year the Lincoln Center in NewYork."

He adds a hard-nosed financial insight. "I've been BSWtreasurer for most of those 20 years, and have always run the financespretty tightly. Chicago in 2003 was tough, because it cost us aboutPS15,000. But the highlight is the time leading up to Easter 2011 when Ilooked after a fund raising effort that got us to New York. With no ArtsCouncil or Birmingham City Council funding, we managed to pull it offeven though the trip (excluding band member contributions) cost us aboutPS45,000 I still don't know quite how we managed it!

"The only other thing I'd like to add is the hugecontribution of Keith to the last 20 years.

"He would say that the four of us (Keith, his wife Jayne,Philippa and I) are the heart of BSW... but in more respects than one,he's the one that makes that heart beat".

And Simon neatly sums up the loyalty Birmingham Symphonic Windsinspires, apologising that he doesn't have to travel far forrehearsals and performances.

"Not really, I'm Birmingham based. My girlfriend lives inExeter though..."

Birmingham Symphonic Winds gives its 20th Anniversary Concert(conductors Keith Allen, John Rutter and Guy Woolfenden) at the CBSOCentre, Berkley Street on Saturday November 10 (7.30pm). Details on 0121780 3333.

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Dedicated... BSW founder and music director Keith Allen