Milnrow Band Christmas Concert

Milnrow Band playing Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer in which Musical Director Mareika Gray was assisted in her conducting duties by 3 year old Isla Connell

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

On Saturday evening (8 December) Milnrow Band commenced it’s festive programme of concerts at St Andrew's Church, Eccles.

The church was full to capacity as the Milnrow Band, led on solo cornet by Beck Chrimes, commenced its programme under the baton of Musical Director Mareika Gray.

In the first half of the programme the audience was treated to such brass band items as “Gaudete” (a typical full on piece for starters), “Bring Back that Leroy Brown” (memories here of Freddy Mercury and Queen), and “Demelza” (a lovely soprano cornet solo), masterfully played by Kenny Pain, also included and well received was “Eyala” an African (Swahili) influenced item by the Norwegian musician Jan Magnus Forder.

As expected, the audience was in fine voice singing the popular carols, “Hark the Herald Angels”, and “The First Nowell” together with such Christmas favourites as “Jingle Bells” and the memorable “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer” in which Mareika was assisted in her conducting duties by 3 year old Isla Connell.

Unusually the members of the band were featured in fine choral form actually laying aside their instruments and singing their way through the hymn tune “Sandon”.

“The James Bond Collection” a fine arrangement by the late Goff Richards of musical memories from the Bond films, concluded the first half.

After a short interval and a buffet provided by members of the church, the band continued, opening the second half with “Declaration Overture” (by Australian Salvationist Barry Gott), this was followed by the slow and melodic “La Melancholy” and the contrasting and fast moving “Tzardas” which both featured the expertise of solo EEb tuba player David Hebb.

The Tenor Horn Section featured in “The Most Beautiful Time of the Year” and everyone joined in by singing the lyrics of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas”, which was featured in the film Holiday Inn, and the popular carols “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” and “Away in a Manger”.

After verifying that it was acceptable in the church environment, the audience was treated to and enjoyed a watered down version of the “Can Can” in which trombonist Chris Binns accompanied by several female members of the audience participated in a very “prim and proper” version of the dance.

“Kingdom Triumphant” (by Salvationist and brass band icon the late Eric Ball) completed the programme.

After a short prayer by the Parish Priest, which included thanks to all concerned for a great start to the Christmas festivities, the band played its curtain call item, a repeat of Jingle Bells.