The Shirley Band recently had some surprise guests at their Christmas Concert.

Special visit

Mike and Linda Lawrence from Great Eccleston in Lancashire, together with members of their family had made a special visit to hear the band.

Grand daughter

Linda is the grand-daughter of William Davis, a former conductor of the band in the period immediately before and after the Second World War, who did much to establish the then Shirley Silver Band as one of the West Midlands premier brass bands, and who led them to their first contest in 1946 – a victory at the Midlands Brass Band Championships.

A sell-out audience was treated to a sparkling programme of festive music, with the star performance coming from solo euphonium Kevin Short, in Keith Wilkinson’s ‘O, Holy Night’.

The band now look forward to a well-earned rest before looking to build on an encouraging 2011, during which several new players have arrived to strengthen the line-up4BR

No mishap

As last year’s almost disastrous mishap, fortunately for Kevin and MD David Bishop-Rowe there was to be no trap-door trickery this year, with a newly strengthened stage having been constructed during the past 12 months.

Looking forward

The band now look forward to a well-earned rest before looking to build on an encouraging 2011, during which several new players have arrived to strengthen the line-up.

Plans for 2012 include the recording and release of the band’s new CD appropriately timed for the Diamond Jubilee.