King’s Division Band concert at Rochdale Town Hall

King’s Division Band concert at Rochdale Town Hall

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An appreciative audience joined the Mayor and Mayoress, Surinder and Cecile Biant to watch the renowned King’s Division Band play a concert at Rochdale Town Hall tonight (Sunday 28 June) to help raise funds for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) Soldiers’ Charity.

The King’s Division Band, the regular army's first professional brass band, played a an excellent repertoire starting with the National Anthem on full band instruments, continuing the fanfare with Shining Sword, on to march, overture, swing and reflective, plus cornet and vocal solos before bringing a superb evening of music to its finale with Wagner's Procession to the Minister followed by CAMUS/Bond of Friendship (Mitchell/Mackenzie-Rogan).

Conducting was Captain Justin Matthews on his last appearance with the band before he moves on. Col (Ret'd) Philip Naylor OBE presented Captain Matthews with a framed sheet of music (The Bond of Friendship) signed by all members of the band in recognition of his contribution.

The band was joined by classically trained mezzo soprano, Iona Fisher. Trained at the Royal Northern College of music, Iona impressed the audience with her beautifully unique voice singing four songs: 'My heart will go on', You always return in my dreams', Nella Fantasia' and 'Time to say goodbye'.

The ABF gives a lifetime of support to serving and retired soldiers and their families, providing financial assistance to all soldiers and their families when in need. Half of the ABF's money is given direct to individuals to help in areas such as debt relief, mobility assistance, education bursaries, care home fees and respite breaks. The other half is given as grants to other charities.