On Sunday 17th February, Otterbourne Brass performed their Winter Concert in front of a packed house. The band was in a privileged position of having not 1 but 2 Musical Directors in charge on the day. Dr Chris Davis, who conducted the 1st half, and Gareth Pritchard the second half.

The band played a varied programme which included 4 pieces from their CD, Valero, – ‘Feather Theme’ from the film Forest Gump, Chelsea Bridge, the hymn setting ‘Be Still’ and the tenor horn solo ‘An Untold Story’ by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, superbly played by our Solo horn player, Helen Davis. The programme also included a further 2 soloists – Hugh Cameron (Principal Cornet) played ‘M’Appari Tutt’Amor’ from Von Flotow’s ‘Martha’ and Graham Jones (Principal Euphonium) played ‘The Sunne Rising’ by Andrew Baker. Both of these solos were played with panache and were well received by the audience.

Otterbourne Brass were also delighted to have 2 representatives of the Winchester branch of Diabetes UK as their guests at the concert. Jean Barritt, Chair and David Wills, Treasurer, were invited to the concert to enable the band to present a cheque to them for £300. The presentation was made by Ian Austin, the band’s Chairman, and was a result of monies collected by the band while playing Christmas Carols at Hedge End during December. Diabetes UK was the bands chosen charity for 2012 as it is a charity which is very close to the hearts of many band members and their families.