With a win for Wales and a draw for England in the Euros the day before, the referendum a mere blip on the horizon and the sun holding out, all was set for Otterbourne Brass’s first summer concert.

Led by Paul Chapman, the band got off to a rousing start with Fame and Glory before settling into the Overture from The Magic Flute. The band then played the modern classics of My Fair Lady and Yesterday before Graham Jones’s mellow tones in the euphonium solo Michelangelo.

Cornet players Sonja, Steve and Becca then took to the stage to delight with the fast paced Bugler’s Holiday before the final piece of the first half, Let there be Praise.

During the interval, the full hall was served with home-made cakes and tea by the members of the band before being called back to action by Firedance, one of the pieces Otterbourne Brass played at the SCABA Entertainment Contest on 22nd May.

Given the wet month of June, the next two pieces weren’t out of place –  Laughter in the Rain (beautifully played by Berni on tenor horn) and Singing in the Rain. Our solo trombone player Nick gave us a wonderful rendition of Stardust, and extracts from Porgy and Bess were played before finishing off with Joyful Joyful and The Lord Bless you and Keep You.

Everyone stood for the National Anthem to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, before collecting their raffle prizes and stepping back out into the mildly sunny Sunday afternoon.

Article by Hari Cooney