Loughborough Concert Band

St James Church, Normanton on Soar, is a beautiful building but one in need – or so the church authorities have decided – of additional building work. To fund this, money has to be raised and after a successful concert in 2023, the band was invited to return in 2024 for a fundraising concert.

The programme was very well received by the audience. They were guided by a new compere, Andy Smith, who couldn’t conceal his disappointment when the audience knew the answers to his quiz questions.

The programme opened with Sousa’s The Thunderer which, as Andy informed us, had been written for the Freemasons of Washington DC in 1889, and the band played it with beautiful dynamics. Another highlight was Shostakovich’s Waltz Number Two with solos being taken by Zoe Felton alto saxophone and Mark Greenaway on trombone.

Canapes were served during the interval and the programme recommenced with

Happy Birthday played to those members of the band and audience who were celebrating.

We were helped out by old friends of the band, Chris on trumpet, Rachel on trombone and Kevin on bass trombone as well as Steve Boyles on tuba.

Our next outing is at 2.00pm on Sunday 30th June in Queen’s Park, Loughborough.

New concert dates are still being added but for up-to-date concert listings please visit www.loughboroughconcertband.co.uk  where you will also find details of playing opportunities.