Innovation 216

Lane, Liz

Abstract

‘Innovation 216’ for brass band, training bands and choir, was commissioned in 2016 by Bristol Cultural Development Partnership in collaboration with St George’s Bristol ‘Art of Flight’ series. The work was first performed on 27 November 2016 by 270+ musicians, with Lydbrook Band, City of Bristol Learners Band, Lydbrook Training Band and Lydney Training Band, Gurt Lush Choir, Bristol Man Chorus and member of UWE Singers, conducted by Ian Holmes. It is thought to be the most number of performers at St George’s, with a surround sound effect created by around 100 brass players on stage and 170 singers on the balcony. Two further performances took place in 2018 by invitation.

‘Innovation 216’ traces Bristol’s aerospace history from the earliest Bristol Boxkite Biplane through to Concorde; sounds of the aeroplanes and features such as the Doppler effect are represented within brass and percussion. Musical motifs are based around B, A, and C (Bristol Aeroplane Company, Bristol Aero Collection and Aerospace Bristol); also the numbers ‘216’. The title celebrates the innovation of Bristol’s aerospace industry and relates to Concorde 216, the last Concorde built, the final one assembled and flown at Filton, and the last ever to fly, returning to Filton from Heathrow Airport on 26 November 2003. The music also marks the 150th anniversary of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Members past and present from Bristol’s aerospace industry, including Dr Chris Toomer from UWE, assisted with historical and contextual research, and provided quotes reflecting on the future of aviation, some of which are sung in the final section. The creation of Innovation 216 has enabled many young performers to have the opportunity to perform with more experienced players. It is planned that a performance will be given in 2019 under the wings of Concorde at Aerospace Bristol.

• Other Type: Composition
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Keywords: brass band, choir, aerospace
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/906755