Ascot Brass joined with the choirs of Sir William Borlase's Grammar School at All Saints Church, Marlow, on 7th October to present a mixed programme of music in support of Rotary Club of Marlow charities.
The band's programme commenced at a cracking pace with Wilfred Heaton's march Praise, followed by Smetana's lively Dance of the Comedians. Further band pieces in the first half were Eric Banks's arrangement of The Lark in the Clear Air (cornet solo: Mark Dallas) and some "easy listening" with Alan Fernie's arrangement of Strangers in the Night; an arrangement by Darrol Barry of La Cucaracha as a sparkling euphonium solo (soloist: Kim Hollamby); and to close, the William Himes arrangement of Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral from Wagner's Lohengrin.
The second half opened and closed with Goff Richards arrangements of Irving Berlin's There's No Business Like Show Business - first as a full piece to call the audience back, and finally as part of the medley Breezin' Down Broadway. The programme also included the Andrew Duncan arrangement of John Williams's Hedwig's Theme from the Harry Potter films, Rodrigo's Concerto d'Aranjuez (or "Orange Juice", flugel horn solo perfomed by Chris Hill) and Christopher Wormald's arrangement of the theme from 42nd Street. Penultimate item was a mellow arrangement of Myfanwy by Kenneth Downie.
The choirs - Borlase Cantorum, the Borlase Chapel Choir and the Borlase Madriguys - put on an impressive performance in a variety of styles in sets throughout the concert. All the pieces were very well received by a full house audience.