Kenneth Downie
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Downie is a composer of brass band
music.
He was born in Glasgow
and educated at Greenock High School, the Royal Manchester College of Music and Durham University
. He then became a specialist music teacher in schools before leaving his position as Head of Music at Poole Grammar School to go into the jewellery business in 1976.
of The Salvation Army and the Swiss and Norwegian National Brass Band Championships. In 1998 and 2000 his 'Purcell Variations' and ';Music for the Common Man' were chosen as section one regional test pieces for the National Brass Band Championships. 'Music for the Common Man' was also the test piece for the first section in the National Mineworkers' Contest in 2007
In April 1998 he was appointed to the post of Composer in Residence to the Yorkshire Building Society Band, and thus began a fruitful relationship involving concerts, broadcasts and recordings.
In November 1999 his contribution to Salvation Army
music was recognised by the New York Staff Band when he was invited to be the guest at their annual Profile Night.
In July 2001 Kenneth was appointed as 'creative consultant' to the Salvation Army's Music Ministries department in London with special responsibility for the nurture of promising young composers.
In September 2001 a tribute CD from Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band
was released on the Egon label. Using music drawn from Salvation Army
and contesting band repertoire, the CD is conducted by David Hirst and Stephen Cobb.
In June 2003 a choral work for mixed voices `Veni Emmanuel` was premiered by the International Staff Songsters of the Salvation Army at the Royal Albert Hall London.
Kenneth Downie was selected to write the test piece for the Championship Section of the European Brass Band Championships, which was be held in Glasgow in April 2004. The work is called St Magnus and is a set of variations on that tune. St Magnus was also selected in 2008 as the North American Brass Band Championships test piece.
In April 2006, a further tribute CD from The International Staff Band of The Salvation Army
was released, this time on the SP&S label. The CD, called St Magnus, includes the first studio recording of that music which was the test piece for the Championship Section of the 2004 European Brass Band Championships.
In April 2007, Kenneth was able to spend the weekend with the Leeds Central Salvation Army Band leading them in a musical and spiritual retreat. This was very good for the band and they were able to play some of his latest pieces including Praise Tribute, African Trio and an older piece called Sacrament.
In May 2007, it was announced that Kenneth Downie had been commissioned and had written the test piece for the 2007 British Open Brass Band Championship. 'Visions of Gerontius' is based on the hymn tune
Gerontius of John Bacchus Dykes
.
He was commissioned to write a new piece for the Elite Section in the Swedish Brass Band Festival of 2008. The piece is called 'Swedish Festival Music' and will get its premiere performance at SBBF in November. As he is the "guest of honour" at the festival, all the other sections will use his works as well.
He lives in Winchester
with his wife Patricia, who is also a musician, teaching pianoforte and singing. They are both active lay-Salvationists.
Kantaramusik is his own publishing company which concerns itself only with his own compositions. Kantaramusik publications are distributed exclusively by Salvationist Publishing & Supplies through the trading brand World of Brass.
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
music.
He was born in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and educated at Greenock High School, the Royal Manchester College of Music and Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
. He then became a specialist music teacher in schools before leaving his position as Head of Music at Poole Grammar School to go into the jewellery business in 1976.
Music
His published compositions, now numbering over 50, span a period of 30 years and are mainly for brass band or choir. Recent commissions include music for the Hampshire County Youth Band, City of Winchester Brass, International Staff BandInternational Staff Band
The International Staff Band is the premier brass band of The Salvation Army.-History:The Salvation Army history generally acknowledges 7 October 1891, the date on which Commissioner Bramwell Booth brought the 'International Headquarters Staff Band' into being, as the official starting point for...
of The Salvation Army and the Swiss and Norwegian National Brass Band Championships. In 1998 and 2000 his 'Purcell Variations' and ';Music for the Common Man' were chosen as section one regional test pieces for the National Brass Band Championships. 'Music for the Common Man' was also the test piece for the first section in the National Mineworkers' Contest in 2007
In April 1998 he was appointed to the post of Composer in Residence to the Yorkshire Building Society Band, and thus began a fruitful relationship involving concerts, broadcasts and recordings.
In November 1999 his contribution to Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
music was recognised by the New York Staff Band when he was invited to be the guest at their annual Profile Night.
In July 2001 Kenneth was appointed as 'creative consultant' to the Salvation Army's Music Ministries department in London with special responsibility for the nurture of promising young composers.
In September 2001 a tribute CD from Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band
Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band
The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band was formed in 1881. It is based in Brighouse, in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.-History:The Brighouse and Rastrick Band is regarded by many as the best and most consistent ‘public subscription band’ in the world...
was released on the Egon label. Using music drawn from Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
and contesting band repertoire, the CD is conducted by David Hirst and Stephen Cobb.
In June 2003 a choral work for mixed voices `Veni Emmanuel` was premiered by the International Staff Songsters of the Salvation Army at the Royal Albert Hall London.
Kenneth Downie was selected to write the test piece for the Championship Section of the European Brass Band Championships, which was be held in Glasgow in April 2004. The work is called St Magnus and is a set of variations on that tune. St Magnus was also selected in 2008 as the North American Brass Band Championships test piece.
In April 2006, a further tribute CD from The International Staff Band of The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
was released, this time on the SP&S label. The CD, called St Magnus, includes the first studio recording of that music which was the test piece for the Championship Section of the 2004 European Brass Band Championships.
In April 2007, Kenneth was able to spend the weekend with the Leeds Central Salvation Army Band leading them in a musical and spiritual retreat. This was very good for the band and they were able to play some of his latest pieces including Praise Tribute, African Trio and an older piece called Sacrament.
In May 2007, it was announced that Kenneth Downie had been commissioned and had written the test piece for the 2007 British Open Brass Band Championship. 'Visions of Gerontius' is based on the hymn tune
Hymn tune
A hymn tune is the melody of a musical composition to which a hymn text is sung. Musically speaking, a hymn is generally understood to have four-part harmony, a fast harmonic rhythm , and no refrain or chorus....
Gerontius of John Bacchus Dykes
John Bacchus Dykes
John Bacchus Dykes was an English clergyman and hymnist.-Biography:...
.
He was commissioned to write a new piece for the Elite Section in the Swedish Brass Band Festival of 2008. The piece is called 'Swedish Festival Music' and will get its premiere performance at SBBF in November. As he is the "guest of honour" at the festival, all the other sections will use his works as well.
He lives in Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
with his wife Patricia, who is also a musician, teaching pianoforte and singing. They are both active lay-Salvationists.
Kantaramusik is his own publishing company which concerns itself only with his own compositions. Kantaramusik publications are distributed exclusively by Salvationist Publishing & Supplies through the trading brand World of Brass.