'Oompah' concert at Boarshurst Band Club

“Oompah” concert at Boarshurst Band Club

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A packed audience was treated to an evening of German type "Oompah music" and fun and games at the Boarshurst Band Club.

On Saturday 3 August, music was provided by hand picked members of the Championship Milnrow Band and performed under the direction of David Hebb as the "Milnrow Steinswiggers Band", featuring a rather alluring maid by the name of Frau Rumpmunchen.

Dave Ashworth of Boarshurst got proceedings underway by announcing that the purpose of the concert was to help raise funds for Milnrow Band’s forthcoming appearance in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain Finals at the Albert Hall in London on 12 October 2013.

He welcomed Joanne Johnson the band’s newly appointed Principal Cornet on this her first appearance with the band and he urged everyone to have a good evening and to leave with empty pockets.

The lady members of the "Steinswiggers", suitably attired in various colourful versions of Bavarian type milkmaid costumes, and the gentlemen sporting their versions of "lederhosen" with braces, white shirts and a range of outrageous head gear, commenced the programme with the well known "Stein Song".

"Oh Mein Papa" (once made famous by Eddie Calvert and his Golden Trumpet),"Spanish Eyes" "Snee Waltzer" (with "shunkelling" audience participation) and "Trumpeting Echoes" brought the evening to the first interval.

The effects of suitable liquid refreshment taken at the interval was evident as the pace notably picked up as the “Steinswiggers” gave their rousing versions of "Aces High" (from the film Battle of Britain), "The Village Band", "Happy Wanderer", Van McCoy’s "The Hustle" and a real roof raising oompah version of "Roll Out the Barrel" with choral accompaniment by the audience.

The music was interspersed with comments and jokes by conductor David Hebb; there was much amusement provided by the "Bomber Game", and a queue of players was willing to participate in the "roll for a bottle game".

Stand up bingo, a well supported raffle and the band’s "sponsor a mile for a fiver” also featured during the evening.

The band completed its programme with the march "Under the Double Eagle, "Una Paloma Blanca" and with all inhibitions now a thing of the past the "Steinswiggers" gave us their furiously fast paced version of "Kalinka".

The curtain call number was the well known "Floral Dance", made famous over the years by the Brighouse and Rastrick Band.

On behalf of the organisers, band member Louise Plant thanked Boarshurst Band Club and Committee for use of facilities, Lee of "First Choice Caterers of Milnrow" who provided the supper, Frances Thewlis (band manager), David Ashworth, Boarshurst Band and all friends who had donated the many raffle prizes and finally the audience for being so supportive.

Milnrow Band is scheduled to perform at the Fun Day at Milnrow Memorial Park on Sunday 11 August and on Saturday 24 August is holding a James Bond type Casino evening at Milnrow Workmens` Club.

On Saturday 7 September the band will be competing at the 161st British Open Brass Band Championship Contest at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

The highlight of 2013 will be the band’s appearance at the Finals of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Albert Hall in London on 12 October.