Last Night of the Proms

Strong winds and sweeping rain announced the arrival of autumn in Christchurch. Yet traditional English weather could not deter the best crowd in 5 years from making their way to the Regent Centre for BCB’s annual Last Night of the Proms concert.

This year your £1 purchase came with a Union Jack on the back cover to encourage patriotic participation in the later part of the evening. Many had taken the initiative and bought their own flags. In fact it was the best costume turn out for a few years with red and white wigs, Union Jack waistcoats supported by a seemingly healthy enthusiasm for the opportunity to sing!

“Praise” is a slightly old fashioned word these days, but the bands opening March, thus entitled, set the bright and exciting tone for the rest of the evening.

Music from film scores, classical favourites and new compositions gave the audience a real mix of entertainment for the first half.

Ron Goodwin’s 633 Squadron set a patriotic and upbeat tempo for the second half of the program.

Acknowledgement was given to Peter Hartley, the band’s principal trombone, for his two classical arrangements, Slavonic Dances No 1 and Hansel and Gretel, which were premiered during concert.

It was ladies night for the solo spots and Helen Kinder, euphonium and Alfie Hughes, tenor horn on fine form.

Leading the band and trying to tame the prommers, who were this year “noisy” in true proms tradition, was Bill Willis, the band’s resident conductor.

The evening ended in traditional proms fashion. It was a photo finish in Fantasia on British Sea Songs between band and prommers as who could sing/play “Jack the Lad” quickest! The audience provided fine singing in Jerusalem and with flags flying and voices raised bought the evening to a grand finale with “Land of Hope and Glory”

With an audience made up of regular locals, holiday makers from Yorkshire, Dublin and London and many first time attenders, this was without doubt one of the best Proms concerts for a number of years.

Thank you to all those who attended and contributed its success – See you next year.