After two very successful Remembrance concerts, the first in Hogsthorpe and the second with the Elizabethan Singers in Alford’s St Wilfrid’s Church, the ever-popular Alford Silver Band has now turned its sights very firmly towards Christmas.
The band has already commenced a hectic and varied programme of 15 engagements during December. But the highlight will surely be the town’s Christmas Concert on Saturday 15th December in Alford’s Corn Exchange. The performance will start promptly at 7.30 pm.
And thanks to the generosity of Alford Town Council, there will be FREE admission to all.
“The Town Council has recognised the valuable contribution that the band makes to the local youth through our two training bands, Brass Roots and Brass Tracks, and through our Educational Outreach programme which takes live music into local schools,” explained the band’s chairman, Martin Briggs. “The council has therefore very generously sponsored the band to perform four free concerts in the town throughout the year.”
The band has decided that in the spirit of Christmas, the 15th December concert will be one for which no admission charge will be made. And its talented, youthful musical director Josh Wilkinson is now working the band hard to ensure that it will be a real Christmas cracker of a performance.
“We have a few surprises up our sleeves,” commented Josh. “We aim to give a great evening of entertainment with a very high standard of Christmas music interspersed with some light-hearted banter. Our aim is to send eveyone off at the end of the night humming or whistling, with a big smile on their face and fully in the Christmas spirit.”
The band will also show off some of its emerging talent with a cameo performance by Brass Tracks under the baton of the assistant musical director and principal cornet, Andrew Taylor.
Although there will be no charge for admission, the band will hold a raffle and there will be a retiring collection for those who wish to show their appreciation. All of the monies raised will go towards defraying the cost of running the band.
“None of our musicians receive payment, but we do have to meet the cost of running the band room, purchasing replacement instruments and uniform, and of course buying new music,” explained Martin Briggs. “Whilst the council’s sponsorship will cover the hire cost for the hall, we still welcome voluntary donations and the purchase of raffle tickets to assist with these significant costs.”
Martin also advised attendees to come early to ensure that they get a good seat.
“We packed out St Wilfrid’s for the Remembrance concert,” he said, “and whilst we won’t be turning anyone away, there is no reserved seating. My advice is to get there in good time to make sure of a good seat.
