The Abbots House, Abbots Langley

North Wind took a Journey to Russia - musically speaking - in their 7th visit to the Abbots House. The journey began in England with Elgar's Chanson de Matin, travelling then to France and Ibert's Trois Piece Breve. Weill's songs from the Threepenny Opera provided the German stage of the journey, followed by
Early Hungarian Dances by Ferenc Farkas. After the interval Harriet gave an informative account of Shostakovich - his life and music, including the background to the writing of the String Quartet no. 8, Opus 110, which had been arranged for wind quintet by Mark Popkin. A very moving end to the concert was felt by all, to be lightened by The Ashgrove, a speedy return to England's green and pleasant land.

St Lawrence Church, Warkworth

In aid of the church funds to replace stolen lead from the roof we received warm appreciation from the audience at St Lawrence. Programme: Arnold, Three Shanties. Kreisler, Liebesfreud and Liebesleid. Ravel, Piece en forme de Habanera. Hallam, Dance Suite. Debussy, Suite no. 1. Hobbs, Five Northumbrian Songs. Parker, Mississippi Five.

The Abbots House, Abbots Langley

On one of the hottest October days on record we performed at the Abbots House. An English/American theme was chosen for this the 6th year with our special hosts.
The concert opened with Sullivan's Iolanthe overture followed by Holst Wind Quintet in Ab and ending the first half with a new arrangement by Newbiggin composer Derek Hobbs - Five Northumbrian Songs.
Samuel Barber's Summer Music appropriately began the second half, followed by Belle Epoque en Sud America - a set of 3 South American dances by Medaglio. Gershwin's Promenade brought the concert to a close, with time for an encore of I Got Rhythm. A most appreciative audience enjoyed the music and beautiful surroundings of the venue, and over £800 was raised for Amnesty International.

St James UR Church, Newcastle

The quintet's long ambition of playing the Spohr Nonet for wind quintet and strings was fulfilled. Violin, viola and double bass players from Newcastle University, with Geoff Wright from Orchestra North East joined us in the second half. The concert opened with Danzi's Quintet in G minor, followed by 2 short pieces by Fritz Kreisler and Paul Patterson's Westerley Winds based on 4 west country folk tunes. This concert was part of the 'Yellow Door Music series to be held at the church - www.yellowdoormusic.co.uk.
Proceeds of the concert were donated to Amnesty International.

St George's URC, Morpeth

St George's URC, Morpeth, was the venue for our lunchtime concert as a woodwind quartet, with Robin playing organ. The programme began with a Goepfart quartet in D minor, Dave played an Arioso by Fiocco accompanied by Robin, followed by a Telemann Trio Sonata in F major. Malcolm Arnold's Divertimento for Wind Trio was an energetic wake up call followed by Jonathan playing the Larghetto from Mozart's Clarinet Quintet. A rousing arrangement of The Pirates of Penzance ended our performance - one of several in this successful Autumn series of lunchtime concerts held at the church.

The Abbots House, Abbots Langley

A most appreciative audience enjoyed our new programme of pieces at Abbots Langley. The first half opened with 4 movements from Walton's Facade Suite, followed by Telemann Trio Sonata in F major for oboe and recorder. The Mozart quintet in C minor ended the first half.
Malcolm Arnold's Divertimento for flute oboe and clarinet gave a rousing start after the interval, followed by the more dulcit tones of Handel's Trio Sonata in F major, played on 2 recorders and spinet. Our first performance of Paul Patterson's Westerly Winds ended the concert 'with gusto', only to encore with Les Animaux from Mississippi Five.

The Church of Saint Ann, Newcastle

The fine Church of Saint Ann provided the perfect venue for a concert in aid of the Congo Children Trust.
Clifford Lantaff (pictured), principal harpist with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, delighted the audience with Hindemith Sonata for Harp, Faure's Impromptu opus 86 and the Britten Suite for Harpe, opus 83.
North Wind performed three pieces from Walton's Facade (with Robin playing woodblock in the Popular Song), Reicha Quintet in Eb and Jim Parker's Mississippi Five.

The Abbots House, Abbots Langley

Another warm welcome - our 4th visit, to The Abbots House. In our quest not to repeat previously performed pieces, we played Weber's Invitation to the Dance, the Nielson Quintet, Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin and Mississippi Five (Jim Parker).The evening ended with an encore of Hallam's Charleston.

The Singers Anniversary Concert

All Saints Church, Quayside, Newcastle

Our second joint concert with The Singers, conductor Donald Halliday. (www.singers.org.uk)
They performed music from the 16th century of Batten and Victoria up to the the 21st century of Stuart Murray, Harris and Macmillan.
North Wind played Ibert Trois Piece Breve and the Malcolm Arnold Sea Shanties.

Pink Fizz Ball

The Hilton Hotel, Gateshead, was the venue for a Charity Ball, raising funds for the Newcastle Maggie's Centre and the Healthcare at Home Cancer Fund.
We played at the drinks reception - our first performance of Weber's Invitation to the Dance, Mozart's Turkey Rock, Faure's Berceuse and the Tea for Two cha cha by Shostokovitch, as well as Agay's Five dances and the Pink Panther.

Photo on the evening by Ken Macmillan (www.kenmacmillanstudios.co.uk)