Milnrow Band St George's Concert

Although in advance of St George’s Day this concert, on Friday evening 20 April, attracted a capacity audience to Milnrow Cricket Club.

Milnrow Band treated those present to a well-chosen, well balanced and well played programme of patriotic and other musical gems.

As befitting the occasion, the band commenced its programme with a fanfare version of 'The Queen' followed by 'British Grenadiers' selection of British marches.

After extolling the merits of music from the James Bond movies, the musical director Mark Bentham introduced a new arrangement of well-known themes from that franchise which the band played with great finesse. The audience appreciated this new slant on these well-known items

Mick Morris (solo euphonium) stepped into the limelight for the first solo item of the evening, 'The Blue Bells Of Scotland', wowing the audience with his tone and versatility.

At this point in the programme, memories of the 60s were revived with a Beatles staple, 'Ticket to Ride' (complete with train effects).

The MD announced that during the evening he would deviate from the programme by introducing 'A Guide to the Band' in which each section of players would play a small rehearsed item to highlight the function and tonal qualities of the various instruments. The first to show off their capabilities were the 'top' cornets led by principal cornet David Gillson.    

Another innovation was brought to the fore by the announcement of the next item, a Queen influenced version of Radio Heads` 'Creep' with a choral prelude.

Arranged by Mark Bentham, this part vocal arrangement for the band shows off the members vocal talents as well as their playing attributes.

The favourite hymn tune a soothing 'Eventide' (Abide with Me) was followed by a selection of World War 2 hits made famous by Dame Vera Lynn, which included 'Keep Smiling Through', 'White Cliffs of Dover', 'The Army,the Navy and the Airforce', 'Yours', 'Lily Marlene' and 'We`ll Meet Again.

An unannounced 'Dambusters March' (Eric Coates) was the first item of the second session.

The next solo offering, 'Show Me the Way to Go Home', featured Tristram Cox on bass trombone, an unusual instrument for soloing but his magical offering, allied to his comedic flair brought the house down.

The euphoniums and baritones (led by Mick Morris) played a 'Guide to the Band' interlude before the band enthralled us with Kenneth Alford`s great march, 'The Standard of St George'.

During the evening, the horns, led  by Jennifer Brown on solo horn, trombones led by newly appointed solo trombone Don Logie, basses led by Gordon Clark and the percussion team of  Alan  Connell and James Kershaw all regaled with their offerings of 'Guide to the Band' items.

Audience participation was in evidence when the 'George Formby Medley' got under way, singing along with such classics as 'Little Stick of Blackpool Rock' and 'Leaning on a lamp, in which three members of the band Matthew Murray (cornet), Gordon Clark (Eb bass) and Tristram Cox (bass trombone) shared with impersonations of the great comedian and singer George Formby.                                                                                                        

In 'The Last Night of Proms' tradition the band completed with Henry Wood’s 'British Sea Songs' and Hubert Parry’s 'Jerusalem' with encore, singing, flag waving happy customers and a standing ovation for the local Championship Section Band.

Ken Watts, band president said: “Band officials, committee and band members wish to thank the cricket club and members, customers and supporters for allowing us to be part of their St George's Day celebrations.”