“Cathedral Brass” Christmas Concert

The Derby Central Band (Bandmaster Alan Losh) of the Salvation Army joined with the Long Eaton Silver Prize Band (Musical Director Sharon Stansfield) on 8 December 2007 for a Christmas concert at the Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas.

The evening was begun by the Long Eaton band, who started the evening with Belford’s Carnival March followed by The Water Is Wide. The first half of the program included two solos and a duet. James Dennis played the cornet solo Georgia on My Mind and Carl Ramplin offered a rendition of O Holy Night on euphonium. Ramplin was then joined by Derby Central cornetist David Purkiss for the duet All I Ask of You. The first half ended with Pastime in Good Company.

Solo items were also featured in the second half of the concert, performed by the Derby Central Band. David Purkiss returned for the cornet solo Away in a Manger and Andrew Ward sang We Are the Reason. Other pieces played by Derby Central Band in the second half included Snow Waltz, A New-Born Babe and the march The Spirit of Christmas.

Both bands joined together for Christmas Joy and White Christmas, and the concert concluded with the audience singing Joy to the World accompanied by the combined groups.

The entire evening, which took place in the Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas (Nottingham), was organized by Mike Richardson of Chauffeur Plus. Both bands expressed their appreciation for the work that Mike and his team did to help with fund-raising efforts during the busy Christmas season.