Milnrow Band in concert for Cancer Research

Guest Conductor Ian Brownbill and Natalie Beer (Flugel Horn)

Milnrow Band took part in a worthwhile fundraising event for Cancer Research on Saturday 22 March.

A packed audience, including Mayor of Rochdale Peter Rush, in the Heywood Civic Centre were treated to an evening of traditional and modern brass band music as well as a fundraising raffle being held throughout the evening.

The Championship band was under the direction of guest conductor Ian Brownbill. For a period of time in 1998, Mr Brownbill was Musical Director for the band.

The evening’s performances began with 'Tallis Prelude' by Peter Graham, which was followed by the not often performed 'Ruy Blas'.

Principal Cornet, Joanne Johnson stepped into the spotlight as the first soloist of the evening and treated those in attendance to a lyrical rendition of Dvorak’s 'Rusalka’s Song to the Moon', an arrangement by Gordon Langford.

'Sparkling Diamonds', as featured in the film Moulin Rouge, was the next to be performed. The song is an upbeat and jazzy version of 'Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend', as previously sung by Marilyn Monroe.

'Seal Lullaby, with its hymnal quality, preceded another solo item. 'Cappricio Brilliante', offered up a truly masterly display on the tenor horn by Mick Morris, the band’s gifted solo horn player.

The final piece before the interval was the show stopping 'McCarthur Park', by Jimmy Webb. The piece is better known for its upbeat music.

The second half of the show started with a bang as the band swung into 'Opus One'. Written in 1943 by Cy Oliver, the piece was made popular by the Tommy Dorsey orchestra in 1944.

Solo treats then came thick and fast as the band offered a lively version of 'Live and Let Die', which showcased Kenny Pain’s versatility on Soprano Cornet.

A restful 'Lady Stewart’s Air' preceded the Disney classic 'The Bare Necessities', from The Jungle Book, which featured a duet by the band’s two Ebb bass players, John Clough and Paul.

James Emberley, Solo Euphonium, then regaled those in attendance with the lovely 'Holy Well' from Peter Graham's 'Alderly Edge Suite'.

The programme then ended with a full on and magical display of the band’s tonal qualities with Russian composer Mussorgsky’s 'The Great Gates of Kiev' from his 'Pictures as an Exhibition'. The band then signed off with the march 'The Gladiators Farewell' by the German composer Blankenburg.

Organisers of the event thanked the band, sponsors and those in attendance for their support at the event.


The event was organised by the Heywood Local Committee for Cancer Research and was sponsored by the Yearsley Group.