I think Jupiter was one of the planets that was visible in the clear mid-evening sky when I was gigging with the Charnwood Symphonic Wind Orchestra on Saturday evening. It is on my mind though because Jupiter, by Gustav Holst and arranged by William Owens, is also one of the pieces the Charnwood Concert Band is preparing for our concert in East Leake on 16 May.

Some of it is slow, beautiful and, certainly from the bass perspective, pretty easy. Other parts are in fast, syncopated 2/2 time and, it would be fair to say, challenging. We rehearsed it tonight and I’ve now got a couple of extra bits to write into my copy at the conductor’s request, supporting the trombones and other low brass… and to practise so the hard parts don’t feel too much more difficult than the ones I presently find easy.