If (Gates, arr. Ashmore) - Helen Varley (Tenor horn)

A beautiful solo called simply 'If', originally made famous by David Gates with the band Bread, and performed here in the brass band arrangement by Derek Ashmore. This performance with the British Army Band Catterick was a special one as my good friend Major Brenden Wheeler was conducting, as part of Saxhorn Fest 2020 (just weeks before lockdown!).
The lyrics to this song are incredibly poignant:
If a picture paints a thousand words
Then why can't I paint you?
The words will never show the you I've come to know
If a face could launch a thousand ships
Then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you
You're all that's left me to
And when my love for life is running dry
You come and pour yourself on me
If a man could be two places at one time
I'd be with you
Tomorrow and today, beside you all the way
If the world should stop revolving spinning slowly down to die
I'd spend the end with you
And when the world was through
Then one by one the stars would all go out
Then you and I would simply fly away
You can buy the music for If here: hallamshiremus...

[@roystone9932]

OMG , Gorgeous sound ..........well played everyone .

[@turnitback]

When I hear a soloist play like this, I get mixed feelings. Apart from the sheer enjoyment from hearing virtuosity, I wonder whether as a player I should try harder, or give it up and find a new interest. 😊

[@roystone9932]

Keep playing , this soloist has taken years to get to this standard through sheer hard work as well as having the natural ability to produce such a beautiful sound . I play Euph/Bari but due to a case of Bells Palsy nearly 2 years ago i have reached as far as my disability will allow me on those instruments . I'm now having a go at the Eb Bass as the much larger mouthpiece gives the weak side of my lip better support and having played with the smaller mouthpieces my range is way higher/lower . I shall keep going i love playing more than any bum notes i make SO keep playing and enjoy it .