Autumn 2016

BCB performed their annual Last Night of the Proms concerts in Christchurch and Swanage and it was great to have responsive crowds.
The concerts under the direction of the band’s resident conductor, Bill Willis, started with the march Death or Glory which certainly got the audience in the mood for the night's proceedings.
With the band preparing for a number of forthcoming contests, the band were able to give a run out of some of the pieces. A big band item, Los Hermanos de Bop, the march Circus Days and A Song for Japan, written for the people of Japan in the aftermath of the Tsunami that occurred 5 years ago. Other items performed were the Finale of Dvorak’s Symphony No.8 and a new composition by Peter Hartley, the band’s 1st Baritone player called Song for R. Soloists on display were Cam Smith with the Trombone solo, The Londonderry Air, John Starkes with the perennial favourite, Grandfather’s Clock and an Eb Trumpet duet, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Trumpets played by Nick Jarvis and Stuart Gaudion.
With the band preparing for an own choice test piece completion on the Sunday following the Swanage concert, the band gave a rendition of Philip Sparke’s The Year of the Dragon, this being conducted by the band’s Professional conductor, Matthew Brown.
To finish of the concerts the band provided the Proms trilogy of Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Jerusalem and Pomp & Circumstance with much audience participation.