Emmanuel Church Rocks to Rotary Musicfest

A small club with a big heart. The Rotary Club of Billericay numbers twenty-plus lunch-time members – modest compared with our neighbours and friends in Rotary. We have wonderful fellowship, much fun and stage some formidable events.

But, as they say, when a challenge is laid down, go for broke!  That is what we did on Saturday, October 27 when the Club staged its first-ever Musicfest – a celebration of music and song. 

More than 200 people packed into Emmanuel Church on Saturday, October 27 for the Rotary Club of Billericay Musicfest, held in conjunction with the ladies of the Inner Wheel Club.  This history-breaking event for the two clubs was hailed as a major success by everyone who enjoyed the wonderful musical programme put together by Harmony Brass director Brian Ford.

"Wonderful event - do it again," was one comment.  "Tremendous success";  "Excellent programme" "Great Music", were others.   And there was special praise for the guest appearance of violinist Joanne Davies whose solo playing which included a special tribute to Daniel Craig - "for all the ladies in the room" - with a James Bond theme received the stand-up applause of the evening.

Harmony Brass who have thrilled and excited audiences in the area for many years were playing for the first time at the request of The Rotary Club.  Brian said: "We are delighted to be here and at the response - it is very heartening. I hope everyone enjoyed us."

The band played a variety of music from familar marches like Soldiers in the Park to showbiz, Breezin ' Down Broadway, "Stars" from Les Miserables by soloist cornet player Cliff Pask who later joined with fellow post-horn player, Trevor Stubbington in a wonderful round-the-hall version of the Post Horn Gallop, an Isle of Man Traditional Folk Song, ' Hunt the Wren', the Titanic version of Nearer My God To Thee, a popular Village People Melody (shades of "YMCA" and all that) and ending with the assembly joining in to sing Land of Hope and Glory, Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No.1.

President of Inner Wheel, Lilian Greenfield gave a welcome message and Rotary Club vice-president Keith Wood gave a farewell vote of thanks.  Our gratitude to Lilian and her Ladies of Inner Wheel who worked so hard to provide delightful interval refreshments, and to clear up afterwards. 

Proceeds will be shared principally by St Luke's Hospice and Remus Horse Sanctuary and, subject to the committee's approval, distributed at the Rotary Club's Christmas Lunch on Monday, December 17 when a representative from the charities will be invited to be our guests.

Please click on the icon below to see the programme for this event.