Eloise by Paul and Barry Ryan, arr. David Beal

was only 16 years old in 1968 when Paul Ryan wrote his worldwide hit ‘Eloise’ and it was performed and recorded by his twin brother Barry to much acclaim. Like so many others of my generation, I became huge fan of the record and it became and remains my favourite pop song to this day.
Eloise - Barry Ryan (1948 - 2021) (youtube.com)
Imagine how excited I was 50 years later when I learned that David Beal from Larch Music Publications had arranged a version of the song for brass band. I immediately ordered the music on-line.
A week later I handed the sheet music to Joshua Muwanguzi, our Music Director, and he put the parts in front of all our children. Because they are taught to read music from written papers from the first day that they hold a brass instrument they just played it there and then!
I was watching their performance. It was indeed an emotional moment for me as the last note died away.
Sadly, Paul and Barry Ryan are no longer with us. But I like to think that they would have enjoyed the fact that their classic hit would have been played by another generation of young musicians in a different style and on a different continent. Truly a great legacy and a demonstration of the enduring power of music.
Thank you David for the musical arrangement and to our young players for becoming the first brass band to record the piece and post it on social media.
Philip Monk

[@namugongopaulshadrack5214]

Mbale schools band forever ❤

[@hankmatthews2557]

Let’s go Mbale band

[@JanMarkerink-z8i]

Is it known as mac Arthur Park.

[@JanMarkerink-z8i]

Drummers enjoy, so the rest.