Band and community choir combine to present music from the stage

WHAT a night! What a show!

On Saturday, March 9 Watlington Concert Band and Watlington Community Choir presented “Music for the stage” to a packed hall at Icknield Community College.

Extra seats were put out to accommodate everyone who wanted to come and the local pubs were reported to be empty.

I don’t think that the audience were disappointed as they clapped and called for more when the programme had ended.

The choir sang some well-known pieces, including The Rhythm of Life, Wade in the Water, Let the River Run and Proud Mary while the band played music from The Sound of Music, Entry of the Gladiators, Curtain Up and Schmigadoon. There were joint pieces too — Seasons of Love and the foot-tapping Greatest Showman.

It wasn’t all serious. Me and My Shadow, a joint choir and band number, included a comedy sketch and The Sandpaper Ballet, played by the band, had the percussionists dressed up as ballerinas.

James Symington persuaded a member of the audience to join in the fun, playing the sandpaper blocks, and the rest of the audience loved it.

The encore number was Bring Me Sunshine but it hasn’t escaped my notice that it has rained ever since.

The evening was ably compèred by Susie Ingram and James, who at one point introduced the families who were represented in the choir and band. One person performed with both.

The raffle was a huge success and people carried away huge fruit food hampers and the usual alcohol. All in all, it was a very successful evening.

The band are now rehearsing for appearances at Pyrton fete on May 18 and Adwell Vintage Vehicle Show on July 7. The next concerts will be on September 28 and December 14.

Sue Rowell