Band delivers Christmas joy

Milnrow Band Christmas Concert

Milnrow Band has once again taken to the stage at Milnrow Cricket Club for their annual Christmas concert.               

The band, under the direction of Associate Conductor Alan Wycherley, commenced its programme with “Christmas Joy” and from then until the final item, the capacity audience was treated to a well chosen programme of music, in which every item played followed the Christmas theme.

After some encouraging words from the conductor, the audience participated with gusto in the mandatory carols such as “Hark the Herald Angels”, ”Once in Royal David City”, and ”O`Come all ye Faithful”, but were suitably hushed when “Away in a Manger” was played as a flugel horn solo by the talented Romana Halstead.

Other items included in the first half were “When a Child is Born”, “Christmas Sing Along” “Troika” and the little known but lovely “Candlelight Carol by John Rutter..

After the interval  the band launched into “ Christmas Festival” an overture composed by Leroy Anderson, followed by “Christmas Song…..chestnuts roasting on an open fire and all that.” 1940`s “White Christmas” from the film Holiday Inn also featured.

Prompt cards were issued and another “chestnut” in the form of the old favourite “12 days of Christmas” was entered into with the usual race to a finish between band and audience.

The audience were then treated to the selection “Santa Claustrophobia” and all present joined in enthusiastically singing the final item “Jingle Bells”.

The band’s President, Ken Watts, said: “The band and officials would like to thank Milnrow Cricket Club Committee and members for once again allowing the use of their facilities, and to the audience for its generous support in raising an as yet uncounted but visible substantial amount for band funds by participating in the raffle and collection.

“Championship Section Milnrow Band would like to wish its friends and supporters all the best for the festive season, it will strive to continue to improve on its successes throughout 2012 and beyond.”