The audience was blown away on Saturday (15th July) as all three bands played at the 27th annual Macclesfield and District Lions Club musical concert.
As well as some fine performances for the bands a number of the young players picked up awards, including an eight-year award for a 13-year-old!
The evening started with a dance as Chris and the Beginner Band started with the toe-tapping Tango Time before featuring the young trombone section in Slippin’ ‘N’ Slidin’.
The next to feature was the horn section in Country Rock before the Beginners completed their set with Highland Cathedral. The audience wanted more and were duly rewarded with The Mickey Mouse Club March, which was debuted at the Awards Concert the week before.
Chris gave out one award, to Dominic McLaren, who won “Cool Crotchet” meaning he took Jeff, the Beginners’ mascot home for the summer.
Up next were the Juniors who started with a True and Trusty performance before playing Coldplay’s Viva La Vida and the Latin Fiesta. Then followed a more traditional Cornish Pastyche and the fab four’s Hey Jude.
Tom gave out two five-year awards, to Thomas Bishop and Nancy Fletcher, as well as a Most Improved Player accolade to Adam Dinnis.
Rounding off the evening it was time for Nigel and the Youth Band, who started with Music Man before Til There Was You, a solo from principal cornet Tash.
The evening then took a pop twist with Singin’ in the Rain, Make You Feel my Love, and Sway – one for the Michael Buble fans!
The Youth Band finished with I Will Follow Him, which featured the trombone section, followed by The Conquest of Paradise.
Nigel gave out a number of awards, including a five-year to cornet player Bethany Harby, and eight-years to Melissa Goodchild, Leanne Smith, Rosie Daracott-Grey, Cerys Smedley (who joined the band aged five!). Trombonist Emma Drew picked up a Most Improved Player award.
The next day a depleted Youth Band, which had 14 players missing, performed at the incredibly sunny Chester bandstand.
Included in the pieces was Make You Feel My Love, which traditionally features eight back-row cornets. Due to a number of absences there were only three able to make the Chester trip but nonetheless they did a fantastic job.
Other pieces included Til There Was You, a solo by principal cornet Tash, I Wanna Be Like You, by bass trombonist Callum Seddon, and I Will Follow Him, featuring the trombone section. In true tour spirit – which is less than a week away – the band ended with the Can Can, a Lions favourite!
And, of course, a sunny trip to Chester would have never been complete without stopping for an ice-cream!