Churchill Flute Band celebration

SATURDAY evening saw the members of Churchill Flute band host their 175th anniversary concert in Waterside Theatre.

Compere for the evening was Robert Ramsey, whose witty repartee had the audience in buoyant mood prior to the musical extravaganza which awaited.

Among the guests for the evening were Deputy Mayor Maurice Devenney and Aldermen Mary Hamilton, Gregory Campbell and Joe Miller as well as the Speaker of the Assembly, William Hay.

Under direction of Simon Mowbray, the members of the band opened the first half with the march ‘Wellington’ and their varied programme included a duet with Jenny Boyd and Janice Channing, accompanied on guitar by David Thompson. The piccolo solo ‘Bourree’ was by Simon Mowbray, and a selection of concert items included popular tunes like ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ and ‘Swinging Safari’.

Departing the stage for a brief time, the Ulster Special Constabulary Historical Display Team took over, transporting the audience back in time to when the B Specials were in service in the City.

The second half began with the march ‘Trafalgar’ which is one of the band’s favourites. Next up was ‘Spanish Eyes’ with the lead taken by Janice Channing with the help of the percussion section, adding a lighter touch to the piece.

The popular tunes ‘Star of the County Down’ and ‘Tell Me Ma’ were rendered with vocals by Trevor Stewart, and the subsequent item was a first for the band, namely a dramatic entrance by the Drum Corps through the rear of the theatre to the tune ‘Scorpio’ The Corps made their way to the stage where they performed a ‘Drum Static’ much to the delight of the crowd.

The conductor, Simon Mowbray, played the ever-popular ‘Londonderry Air’, dedicating it to the memory of former member Jim Brown, members of whose family were numbered in the audience.

The finale was formed with the marches ‘Killaloo’ and ‘The Regimental’, with the added touch of the Ulster Special Constabulary Historical Display Team taking to the floor once again, for a march past.

Encore was the march ‘1914’ and afterwards there was an air of formality with a scattering of speeches marking the 175th anniversary.

The band officers and members have thanked the staff and management oat the Waterside Theatre for their help with the preparations, the audience for their enthusiasm and attendance and making it a memorable event, while the members of the band were thanked for their hard work and dedication.

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