Otterbourne Brass performed its first concert of the new year at Chandlers Ford Methodist Church on the 28th January.

We were very fortunate on this occasion to have as our special guests “Bones Apart“. Formed in 1999, the all-female trombone quartet has quickly established itself as one of the leading young chamber ensembles. They had a slot in each half of the concert, where they amazed us all by their technique and quality of sound. Our trombone section, led by Neil Brownless, joined them for a rendition of “I Will Follow Him” in the first half and “Earth Rites” in the second.

The band’s guest conductor was Lawrence Sale and the programme contained the usual variety that our audiences enjoy. We began with the rousing “Eve of War” and then on to our overture “L’Italiana in Algeri”. This was followed by the prelude “From Earth’s Confusion” and the then to complete the first half, music from the film world “A Disney Spectacular”.

“Olympic Spirit” started the second half; Very apt this year. We couldn’t perform without playing a march so ‘The Black Knight’ was our choice. We then played “Prelude on an Irish Folk Tune” and “You Raise Me Up”, before our grand finale “Farandole (L’Arlesienne)”.