40th Anniversary

A Concert 40 Years In The Making!

Music has an unparalleled ability to cross borders. Regardless of upbringing or environment, feet start tapping and hearts beat faster whenever there’s a good tune being played. Maghull Wind Orchestra can be guaranteed to provide exactly that as they celebrate their 40th anniversary with this special concert. With MWO, the magic of music embraces the whole band. This is a truly inclusive community set-up which welcomes musicians of any age and any ability. No subscriptions are charged meaning membership is open to everyone and there are no auditions – if you have an instrument and the ability to read music, you’re in!

On 17th June at the Philharmonic Hall, under musical director Phil Shotton, MWO will play a range of music old and new, including a number of pieces being premiered at this anniversary event.Joining MWO will be the NHS Choir and children from Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School in Southport, making this a joyful afternoon that only the magic of music can create.

Visit the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall's website for tickets.

The concert will feature world premiere performances of three new compositions, all commissioned by BASBWE (British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles). The first of these is a bass clarinet concerto composed by Bill Connor, featuring soloist Andrew Roberts.

Bill Connor has made his living as a composer since the 1970's working across many genres and media from rock and jazz to the symphony orchestra. He has written music for over 300 film and television projects and spent 6 years as composer-in-residence for Granada Television in Manchester UK.

Alongside a solo career that has included performances of many of the most taxing clarinet concertos throughout Europe, Andrew Roberts has developed his work as a specialist in clarinet design and customisation, working with many top professional players throughout the UK. For 35 years Andrew has been in demand & performing regularly with many of the major orchestra in the UK, playing everything from Soloist to Contra-Bass and the E flat clarinet.

The second commission is a work by MWO's Bass Trombonist; Adam Dutch. Adam is Head of Music at Maghull High School and is known as one of the most versatile trombonists, bass players and musical directors on the local scene.

The third is a new work by Tom Harrold. Tom (b.1991) is a Glasgow-born composer whose award-winning music has received performances worldwide by a multitude of performing groups and artists. Tom’s recent projects include Darkened Dreams (a Proms commission that was broadcast live simultaneously on BBC Radios 3 and 4), Nightfires, a BBC SSO commission that was described as "among the most exciting pieces by a Scottish composer in the last 25 years" [The Herald], and Raze, which opened the last night of the 2016 BBC Proms.

These works will be showcased alongside a varied programme, including music from film composing legend Ennio Morricone, music from the stage and screen; 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Oliver!' and even music from the Beatles! It would be great for you to come and celebrate with us if you can!