Co-operative Funeralcare Band In Concert With Brighouse & Rastrick Band

On Saturday, 24th October, 2009 The Co-operative Funeralcare Band participated in a massed band concert with the Brighouse & Rastrick Band in Huddersfield Town Hall under the direction of Lt. Col. Chris Davis OBE, a former Principal Director of Music (Royal Marines) and Commandant of the Royal Marines School of Music.

Playing to a packed hall both bands gave a thrilling “Salute To Heroes” concert in which many well-known and popular brass band pieces were played including Suppe’s overture “Light Cavalry”, “John Williams’ “Hymn To The Fallen” from “Saving Private Ryan”, William Walton’s “Spitfire Fugue” and Respighi’s “Pines Of Rome” arranged by Howard Snell.

Two of the evening’s highlights were the solo items provided by the bands. Principal baritone player Lorraine Bisson of The Co-operative Funeralcare band performed John Golland’s beautiful solo “Peace” while Stephen Wilkinson, the Brighouse & Rastrick principal cornet played “Born on the 4th of July”. Both items were greatly enjoyed by the large and appreciative audience.

The concert was the latest in a long line of Spring & Autumn concerts arranged by the Yorkshire band since 1945. At the conclusion of the concert, a presentation was made to The Co-operative Funeralcare band’s long-serving E flat bass player, Willie Young, who has retired after some 30 years service. A fuller report on Willie’s band service will follow later.

(Photograph Courtesy of Gordon Ratcliffe)

Soloists Stephen Wilkinson (left) and Lorraine Bisson (right)
are pictured with Lt. Col. Chris Davis after the concert

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