The Best Things in Life are Free…..

The Windband and the Youth Band recently played a free concert with The Band of The Blues and Royals

Cynics would have us believe that you get nothing for free – well, they were thoroughly disproved by an outstanding free concert performed by the Enderby Youth Brass Band, the Enderby Windband, and The Band of The Blues and Royals. An appreciative audience of over 300 attended St James the Greater Church in Leicester and were treated to some great music.

The Gershwin classic “I Got Rhythm” was the starter from the Windband, in a skilful arrangement showcasing solo trumpet, alto saxophone and French horn, followed by a mood change with “Someone to Watch over Me”, featuring principal flautist Becky Jones. Its sweet melody, and glorious harmonies, showed that the Windband can play with control and style.

The Windband continued with “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho”, Michael Simpson contributing an excellent trombone solo, and finished with an exciting piece by Philip Spark, called “Klezmer Karnival”, inspired by the music performed by Jewish troubadours.All of whch can be viewed of the Wind band's recently established Youtube page.

The Youth Band opened with a rousing version of Kenneth Alford’s “Army of the Nile”, with Paul Bosworth taking a solo on Soprano Cornet, followed by Duke Ellington’s “Satin Doll” and an unusual arrangement of “My Favourite Things”, from “The Sound of Music”, both including solos by James Screaton on solo cornet, both of which can be viewed on the Youth band's Youtube page.

For their finale the Youth Band chose a piece specially written for them by South African composer Robert Hunt, entitled “District Six”.

Warrant Officer Richard Cregan then took up his baton to conduct The Band of The Blues and Royals through a superb and varied set, the highlight of which was the traditional Irish tune, “Carrick Fergus”, with a sublime Euphonium solo by L/Cpl Pete May.

The Blues and Royals also gave us delightful renditions of James Curnow’s “Where Never Lark or Eagle Flew”, and David Schiffer’s “When Angels Weep”.

After the break all three bands took the stage together, and ripped through a glorious rendering of Goff Richard’s “Breezing’ down Broadway”, a medley of well known show tunes, and then, hardly pausing for breath, they launched into the Russian folk tune “Kalinka”, finishing at a very fast tempo!

An excellent evening was rounded off by Wagner’s “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral”, and finally Jay Bocock’s “Into the Light”. A memorable concert of great music, superbly performed by all three bands, left the audience wanting more.