Proms at Maidstone

The “Last Night of the Proms” evening at Maidstone Corps, held on 10 March 2012, filled the hall to near capacity. The evening was led by Maidstone Band, under the direction of Bandmaster Kevin Ashman. The guest vocal soloist for the evening was Susanne Dymott.

The band started the evening with William Tell Overture and March in Scipio before the guest soloist was introduced.

Dymott delighted the audience during the first half of the program with a some classical pieces, including Voi Che Sapete from “The Marriage of Figaro”, Songs My Mother Taught Me (Dvorak), Tu Fosti Tradito (Mozart) and Down by the Sally Gardens (Herbert Hughes). The first half also included a duet, The Prayer, featuring Jonathan Munn (euphonium) and Nathan Cripps (tuba).

After a short interval, the evening continued with much audience participation. Dymott sang some lighter pieces, including Blue Skies, Summertime and I Could Have Danced All Night (with the audience joining in on the latter song).

The entire trombone section (seven trombonists) played Panis Angelicus, accompanied by the band. The band continued the evening with Pomp and Circumstance and Fantasy on British Sea Songs, with both Dymott and the audience joining in with singing and much flag-waving.

The band concluded the evening with the hymn tune “Jerusalem”.