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Capt
David Cole (Rtd) |
Sunday
the 9th March saw the 19th annual All Stars Band concert at the Margate
Winter Gardens. The concert was also a first, as the Band was conducted
by Capt David Cole (Rtd) following 18 years of dedicated directorship
from Lt Col Paul Neville (Rtd).
The concert opened with the 21 trombones taking charge in the march
Trombones to the Fore. The overture was Shostakovich's challenging Festive
Overture which was played with enthusiasm and no shortage of technique,
all held together by the excellent double bass playing of Shiner Wright.
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Richard
'Shiner' Wright - String Bass |
John Yates and Pete Rose both shone in Panis Angelicus and "Benedictus"
(from The Armed Man) respectively. The first half also included the
Waltzes of Richard Rogers, two movements from Windows of the World,
featuring a remarkable rendition of Celtic Dream from the entire euphonium
section comprising David Burridge, Don Peerless, Edwin Musquetier (former
WO Dutch Marines), Mick Hutton and Richard Baker. The half closed with
Dave Cole's rousing arrangement of Star Wars leaving the audience, and
more importantly the Band, ready for a large drink and lie down in a
dark room!
The second half opened with High Society during which Dave Cole proved
he's still got it as he joined Stephen Misson (trumpet), Pete Rose (clarinet),
Ernie Barnard (trombone) and Dave White (drums) in the Dixie Band on
his tuba. Following a selection from The Sound of Music, Zehle's march
Trafalgar, the entire cornet section playing Cornet Carillon and the
ever popular Pirates of the Caribbean, it was just about time for the
finale.
Before this, however, came the presentation of cheques to various charities
but more of that later. The finale began with a moving performance of
the Evening Hymn and Last Post with Trevor Sharpe's At Close of Day
with John Yates and Stephen Misson taking on the role of Duty Buglers.
Any musician looking at the next item on the programme would have been
rubbing his or her chops, and wondering where the stamina was going
to come from, as the Band put up William Walton's Crown Imperial! And
how they performed it. With Dave Cole's seemingly never ending adrenaline
and the Band's years of experience and enthusiasm the concert finished
with a real bang and a thoroughly deserved standing ovation.
The Band comprised 115 musicians, almost entirely made up of former
RMBS musicians. The most senior musician performing was clarinettist,
and former Lt (and Editor of the Blue Band), Tom Merrett who had recently
celebrated his 86th Birthday. Other octogenarians included Fred Wylie
(85-tenor sax), Charlie Francis (83 flute), Pete Worsfold (81
trumpet), John Press (81 trombone). The combined age of
all on stage was a staggering 7,271 years, and their total years' service
in RMBS was 1,916 years. Of course the main reason for the All Stars
concert taking place is to raise money for various charities and in
particular the Royal Marines Band Benevolent Fund.
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| Capt
Richard Long |
Capt Richard Long represented the Band Service and gratefully accepted
a cheque for £4000. The Mayor of Deal, Cllr Jim Cronk accepted
a cheque, on behalf of the Deal Memorial Bandstand Trust, for £2000
and a further £1000 was earmarked for a bench at the Bandstand.
Other beneficiaries of the concert included the South West Children's
Hospice, Macmillan Nurses, the Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, the Thames
Valley Air Ambulance and the Smile Train.
The concert was a resounding success with approximately 1400 extremely
appreciative audience going home feeling extremely well entertained.
David Cole and the wonderful musicians received, and thoroughly deserved,
the outstanding appreciation shown by the audience. But the concert
would not have been possible without a couple of other contributors.
Firstly Pam Misson whose work behind the scenes was, as always, immense
and vital to the success of the event. Another individual deserving
of special praise is Richard Baker who along with being an excellent
euphonium player is also an extremely hard working music librarian without
whose help the concert would not have been the success it unquestionably
was.
R
P LONG
Capt RM
Supply Officer (Music)
Photograph
album
Courtesy Gerard Woittiez
[see Gerard's other photo's of RM Bands by clicking [HERE] |
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High
quality prints are available by e-mailing
Stephen Misson 