March Brass 2000 meets The Brighouse & Rastrick Band.

March Brass 2000 meets The Brighouse & Rastrick Band. Sold Out! With potential audience members turned away. That was the position on Saturday evening 17th September at The Neale Wade Academy. The fortunate 400 people who had tickets witnessed an event unique in the History of March Town’s own Brass Band, when they hosted the World famous Brighouse & Rastrick musicians. This was the celebration of 125 years since their foundation in 1891. The Brighouse Band formed only ten years earlier. Visiting March, just a week after taking the coveted Silver Prize in the British Open Championships, their participation was a ‘dream come true’ for the March Brass 2000 Chairman and well-known local personality, Peter Sutterby. This ‘dream’ was also that of his son Nigel, their Conductor, who revelled in the opportunity of taking charge of both bands in the final, for a very well received rendition of The Floral Dance. The evening opened with March Brass performing two pieces, which included perhaps the favourite of all music lovers gathered, Steel Skies composed by Alan Fernie. This evocative and stirring composition has become, unofficially, March Brass 2000’s signature tune. Then on came Brighouse, resplendent in their uniforms, instruments gleaming. For the next two hours, with a suitable break, they treated the very appreciative audience to a feast of fine music. In all styles and rhythms ranging from the 18th to the 21st Century. Solos, gentle, traditional and very modern compositions. Quiet or thunderous brass sound vibrating around the packed hall. Finally the two bands joined the stage; the ‘dream’ had come true. The audience applauded long and loud, having witnessed a ’tour de force’ in musical terms by both the visitors, and our Very Own March Brass 2000.

Video of Brighouse & Rastrick Band Playing William Tell Overture.