Showstoppers 2013

This unique series of charity concerts featuring the Londonderry Musical Society and the Britannia Band is off on the road again starting tomorrow, Thursday, November 14, in Coleraine High School where the charity is The Northern Ireland Hospice Support Group. The following night the show moves to Limavady High School in aid of Drumachose Manse Fund before setting off the following week Thursday, November 21, to Omagh and the Strule Arts centre to support the Lions’ Club Charities. The final Showstoppers 2013 is staged on Friday, November 22 in the Millennium Forum and the beneficiaries this time are City Friends of Marie Curie and Carlisle Road Methodist Church.

This year is very special, not only because of the 25th Anniversary, but the, Bandmaster Ken Goodman is laying down his baton after almost 40 years in charge of the Britannia Band. He is assured of a wonderful send-off and with his brother Jim directing the music of the Londonderry Musical Society, it is sure to be a moving experience for all involved.

The programme as usual is wide and varied showing off the talents of both instrumentalists and singers, numbering well over 100 musicians. The groups combine for thrilling pieces such as Let the River Run, which was so popular in this year’s Sons and Daughters concert at the venue, Do You Hear the People Sing from Les Miserables, and This is the Moment from the musical Jekyll and Hyde. This show is the choice for the Londonderry Musical Society 2014 production in April and will give audiences a sample of what is expected to be one of the most exciting and dramatic musicals ever staged by the Londonderry Musical Society.

Other musicals featured this year are Miss Saigon, Hairspray and an extended excerpt from the ever popular Oklahoma. Again this will be a combined Band and Choir performance complete with costumes and of course the comedy drama. The Britannia will get the audiences warmed up with the hand-clapping, toe-tapping Radetzky March by Strauss and followed by the beautiful Finlandia by Sibelius. The percussion section gets a chance to shine with their period drums in a special arrangement of Renaissance Dances by Tielman Susato. Another innovation this year is the youth section of the LMS giving us a taste of their version of Bugsey Malone. All in all Showstoppers 2013 has something for everyone and members of the public are advised to book early for this annual extravaganza of the best of music throughout the ages.

To book tickets telephone the Millennium Forum Box Office on 028 7126 4455; to book tickets for the Coleraine High School concert telephone 028 7083 2735, for tickets to the Limavady High School 028 7776 2502 and for the Omagh concert in Strule Arts Centre telephone the Box Office on 028 8224 7831.