Keswick’s North Lakes Brass band staged their Christmas concert in the town’s beautiful St John’s Church.
Led by conductor Gareth Sykes and band manager John Miller, the musicians played to a capacity audience of 250.
They began with the exciting Ben Hollings piece, Festive Intrada which features all the cornet players in the band. In this piece, they surround the rest of the players with fanfares and trills getting the concert off to a terrific start.
Principal cornet, Jon Sanderson then stayed on his feet to play the first solo of the evening, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. This Martin and Blane piece showed off Jon’s excellent range and beautiful sound and was enjoyed by all.
Let It Go from Frozen was the next piece, which aptly matched the weather outside. The band’s drummer had been delayed on her way from Kirkby Lonsdale, but she managed to plough through the snow to join the band midway through the first half!
Featuring all the basses, then the solo euphonium, then solo trombone, Santa Claus-trphobia was a big hit with the audience who enjoyed the playful romp through some well-known Christmas songs.
The second soloist of the evening was Andy Cannon who delighted those listening with his rendition of O Holy Night written by Adolphe Adam. The euphonium produces a beautiful sonorous sound and was delicately delivered by both Andy and the accompanying band.
After a good sing through Hark the Herald, the audience was treated to the quiet Torme and Wells song, The Christmas Song before volunteers were canvassed to deliver an entertaining version of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
After the interval where refreshments and raffle went well and patrons were called on to support the band, the second half began with the rousing march The Carollers.
Dressed in their favourite Christmas jumpers and hats, it was a big change from the all black uniform the band usually wear.
They followed this with a Latin version of the traditional Christmas tune, God Rest Ye Merry, Cha Cha Men.
The third and final soloist of the evening was flugel horn player Alison Richardson who amazed the audience with her beautiful rendition of Peter Graham’s Away in a Manger. The night continued with Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival, then the audience singing to While Shepherds Watched (to the tune of On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at!).
A German Christmas flavour was then added with Geoff Richard’s Sneewaltzer which had the band and audience swaying along, before the quiet Winter’s Eve by Nick Bocklehurst had everyone calm again.
Conductor Gareth Sykes then awarded the player of the year to Isaac Cooper for excellent development as soprano cornet. Isaac will be moving to Norfolk in the new year and will be a huge loss to the band.
Merry Christmas Everybody finished the concert, or so everyone thought before an encore of Jingle Bells was called for, with conductor Gareth Sykes dressed as Rudolf.
