Trumpeting success of Adur Concert Band charity fundraiser

MUSIC lovers who were lucky enough to attend the concert given by the Adur Concert Band at St Paul’s Arts Centre in Worthing on Saturday, April 5, were treated to a performance that was described by at least one member of the audience as ‘wonderful’.
Adur Concert Band performed items such as music from stage and screen, marches and concert piecesAdur Concert Band performed items such as music from stage and screen, marches and concert pieces
Adur Concert Band performed items such as music from stage and screen, marches and concert pieces

The band, led by their musical director, Andy Burchfield, turned out in force, with more than 40 wind and percussion musicians performing items such as music from stage and screen, marches and concert pieces.

An early highlight of the evening was the Sandpaper Ballet, with the percussion section providing the sound-effects using sandpaper boards.

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Then, in a departure from the rule of ‘wind instruments only’, the violinist son of one of the band members, Josh Hargreaves, totally enthralled the audience and band alike with the haunting theme tune from Schindler’s List.

The mood was maintained by the band performing O Magnum Mysterium, with members of the Brighton Chorus Festival in the audience quietly singing along.

The first half of the concert ended with excerpts from the Disney film Pocahontus.

The concert, which was in aid of St Barnabas House hospice, continued with a march, Selections from Grease and the saxophone section showing their talents in Saxophonia.

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This was followed by the return of Josh on violin to delight everyone with Ladies in Lavender, with an encore of a solo piece, the lament Ashokan Farewell.

The concert ended with music from Miss Saigon, Kalinka and for an encore, the Radetsky March.

Andy thanked the audience, band, the deputies from other local bands and the venue’s staff, who had worked hard to set up the seating and serve the refreshments at the centre’s busy café.

In spite of the competition from other events in the area, the event managed to make a profit of £200 for the hospice.

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The band, which is self-funded, rehearses at Southwick Methodist Church and regularly performs in the area, with trips and mini-tours further afield.

Venues also include the Assembly Hall in Worthing, the Barn Theatre in Southwick, Eastbourne and Bournemouth bandstands.