Although somewhat belated, we love to keep our fans up-to-date with our activities, and Christmas is our busiest period. Read on for more!

The now traditional Otterbourne Christmas concert weekend was once again a highlight of the Band’s busy Christmas schedule.

Both the afternoon and evening concerts were very well supported and the audience enjoyed a varied programme of Christmas music, which included many different arrangements to traditional and well known Christmas tunes. One particular highlight was the The Huron Carol, a traditional Canadian Carol probably written in 1642, arranged as a Cornet Solo, and played superbly by Sonja Charters, the Band’s Principal Cornet.

For a little variety the concert programme also included some non-Festive pieces that were associated with “tunes from the Radio”, such as the theme tune from Desert Island Discs (“Sleepy Lagoon”), which proved to be very popular with the audience.

Another highlight was Goldcrest, a march the Band played at the recent Wessex Contest, which included a section requiring the Band to sing – a first….

At the end of the concerts the audience departed with smiles and “thank you’s”, confirmation that performances were much enjoyed and appreciated.

As always, the concerts could not have happened without the hard work of the Band, the Committee and everybody who helped to organise the events.

And not to be forgotten, Paul Chapman and Melvin White the MD’s for the concerts.

And especially not to be forgotten are Melvin’s Christmas Cracker quality jokes…

Article by Martyn Parsons