The band’s June Pond concert was held in a packed St Michael’s Church because of inclement weather, and MD David Johnson, presented a programme of music by the late composer and arranger Gordon Langford. Ranging from traditional songs to complex original works there were also solos from principal horn Simon Jones, and principal euphonium Ed Latham. There were many melodies the audience recognised during the evening which showcased Langford’s ability to take a simple tune and give it a wide variety of guises, and also interweave some very famous symphonic themes together as in the thrilling final piece of the concert the Russian Fantasy.
The Aldbourne Youth and Junior Bands also performed with the trombone section of the Youth Band joined by the senior band trombonists to play a wonderful feature item “Blue Moon”. The June concert is traditionally when awards are given to the young musicians and David Johnson presented plaques for the Junior Band’s most promising player, the Youth Band commitment award and the Kerton Cup to the Youth Band player who has made the most progress over the year.
During the evening the Friends of Aldbourne Band received a cheque for £2,511. It was handed over by Co-op store manager, George Lovelock, as part of the Co-op’s Local Community Fund which had nominated the Friends as their charity. It was accumulated by members spending on Co-op products during the 6 months from October to March 2017.
Gavin Dixon, secretary of the Friends, was delighted to receive the cheque which will go towards the purchase of a new instrument for Ed Latham, the band’s principal euphonium player. “We are really grateful to the Co-op for their generosity. The band is totally self-funding and any help towards purchasing instruments means we can then pass on the old ones to members of the Youth Band.”
The next Aldbourne Pond Concert, which is free to attend, will take place on Sunday 2nd July starting at 6pm and hopefully outside in the summer sunshine!