On Saturday 2nd February 2019, The Barnet Band presented a special concert to celebrate the Band’s 130th anniversary and to raise money for Cherry Lodge Cancer Care. Some 130 people (one for each year) came out on a cold and frosty evening to St James Church, East Barnet to listen to a very exciting and amazingly varied concert. Guests of honour included our local MP, Theresa Villiers, and the deputy mayor of Barnet, councillor Caroline Stock and her escort Dr Richard Stock.
Ian Brookman, the Band’s conductor, began the concert by acknowledging the Band’s formation in 1889 and introducing the first number. This was ‘The Washington Post’, a rousing piece written by Sousa in the very year of the Band’s birth. There were then arrangements of music by Shostakovich, Bernstein and Holst, each and every one of them beautifully played by this very talented group of musicians.
Also taking part in the concert were The Cherry Lodge Singers, who had acquired several new members for this occasion and were all in good voice. ‘Roll out the Barrel’ especially caused many feet to tap to the music. The Singers are always well received and it was very encouraging to see new faces and hear new voices among them. (If you are interested in joining the Cherry Lodge Singing Group please contact Fiona.)
The Band ended the first half of the concert with a very lively version of Missy Anderson’s ‘In the Moment’. This arrangement had been specially commissioned for the concert and it was quite thrilling to hear music so fresh and original.
After the interval, when delicious refreshments were served by some very hard working volunteers, the Band resumed the concert with a spirited rendition of ‘Star Wars’ (1977). There was also another appearance by The Cherry Lodge Singers, who further entertained the audience with ‘You’re not sick, you’re just in love’ (1950) and ‘Bring me Sunshine’ (1966), the wonderful music that will for ever be associated with Eric and Ernie!
The Band brought the concert to an exhilerating end with ‘The Sound of Music’ (1965) and showed off the wonderful acoustics of St James Church, which as always proved to be a warm and welcoming venue.
We express our heartfelt thanks to all the talented members of The Barnet Band, who gave so freely of their time and made this such a successful and enjoyable evening. Thanks also go to all who organised this event and made sure it ran smoothly. Finally, thank you to everyone who supported Cherry Lodge Cancer Care by attending this most entertaining fundraising event.
Click on the small images below to see larger, complete photographs.
