St George’s Day Concert
With its biggest and liveliest audience to date Devizes Town Band performed its third St George’s Day concert at the Corn Exchange in aid of the Mayor’s Appeal.
A cheque for £500 was presented to the Mayor by band chairman, Kelvin Nash, who announced that this was the minimum estimate. After completion of accounts the band has been able to send a further £100 to the Mayor’s Charities, Bradbury Manor and Devizes Sports Club.
The concert this year included a number of traditional and popular items from around the country. It opened with the maypole dance, Barwick Green, which became the theme to ‘The Archers’. A hunting horn calling the hounds introduced ‘John Peel’, and the audience was offered the challenge of singing ‘Ilkley Moor’ in dialect, lead by compère Lewis Cowen.
A ‘grey mare’ and riders caused some hilarity as tuba player Philip Hiscock sang ‘Widdicombe Fair’.
Becky White’s trombone solo ‘The Joker’ was greatly enjoyed, and was followed by ‘In an English Country Garden’.
Musical director John Blaker surprised Devizes Mayor Jane Burton when the band played Tom Jones’ ‘Delilah’ in her honour instead of the ‘Welsh National Anthem’ in the programme, followed by ‘Men of Harlech’.
The first half concluded with the theme from ‘The Apprentice’ - ‘Montagues and Capulets’.
After the interval the rousing march ‘Imperial Echoes’ brought back memories of the BBC Newsreel and the BBC World Service.
The finale was ‘proms style’ with flags and hooters, and plenty of opportunity to join in. ‘Pomp and Circumstance No.1′ was followed by ‘I Vow to Thee My Country’, ‘Fantasia on British Sea Songs’, ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Radetzky’.
Tickets can be pre-booked for the Devizes RBL Poppy Appeal Concert on 9th November and the Christmas Concert Party on 6th December by calling Hilary Hams on 01380 726837 or email secretary@devizestownband.co.uk.