Littleborough Brass Bands Association delights audience at Christmas concert

The festive spirit filled St. Andrew’s Church in Dearnley on Saturday 14 December as the Littleborough Brass Bands Association hosted its annual Christmas concert.

The evening, which was enjoyed by a local audience, featured a variety of Christmas carols, seasonal songs, and stunning brass arrangements, all celebrating the joy of the holiday season.

The concert brought together all three bands from the association, each contributing their unique musical style to the festive programme.

The evening kicked off with the Littleborough Training Band, making their debut performance under the guidance of conductor Julian Bayley.

The band, made up of young and developing musicians, performed a selection of Christmas carols they had been preparing for several months.

Their enthusiasm and confidence impressed the audience, with some of the performers playing to a live crowd for the first time.

Julian said: "It was a proud moment for these musicians. They’ve worked incredibly hard and really rose to the occasion."

Following this, Boro’ Brass, conducted by Nick Wallwork, took to the stage with a diverse and lively set of festive music. Highlights included the iconic themes from the films The Polar Express and Home Alone, as well as a beautiful brass band arrangement of John Rutter’s Candlelight Carol.

Wallwork spoke about the band’s performance, noting, "It was great to bring something for everyone, from the magical film music to the more traditional carols. The audience really seemed to enjoy it."

The concert concluded with a dynamic performance by the Littleborough Brass Band, conducted by Ashley Higgins. The band closed the event with a rousing finale that showcased their musical versatility.

Of particular note was the premiere of a brand-new arrangement of Carol of the Bells (Pentatonix version), which had been specially arranged by the band’s principal cornet player, André Hopcroft. "We were thrilled to perform this new arrangement," Higgins said. "It’s always exciting to share something fresh with the audience, and they really responded to it."

The event was a celebration of musical talent and community spirit, and the association expressed pride in the hard work and dedication shown by all its members, conductors, and volunteers.

"We are so grateful to everyone who came out to support us," said a spokesperson for the Littleborough Brass Bands Association. "It’s wonderful to see our community come together for such a joyous occasion."

Looking ahead, the association will continue spreading festive cheer with another performance in Littleborough. The next opportunity to hear their music will be on Christmas Eve at Hare Hill Park at 5pm for another seasonal performance.

For anyone interested in joining the bands, the Littleborough Brass Bands Association is currently recruiting players for both the Training Band and Boro’ Brass.

Further details can be found on their website at: www.littleboroughband.co.uk.