The Aveley & Newham Band recently enjoyed their day out entertaining the vast crowds at the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.

Exciting

The exciting match between Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves was watched by a crowd of 79,000 in addition to an estimated BBC1 television audience of over 3 million viewers!

Having arrived early at the ground for sound checks and rehearsals the band provided music for the popular pre-match community singing, accompanying the Wessex Male Voice Choir and Huntingdon Male Voice Choir in ‘Delilah’, ‘Hey Jude’, ‘Angels’ and ‘Shine’.

National Anthem

They were then privileged to accompany million album selling soprano soloist Laura Wright in ‘Abide with Me’ and ‘National Anthem’.

Not having had the chance to perform in our own back yard at the Olympics we were privileged to be asked to infiltrate the normally Northern preserve of Rugby League in order to represent the brass banding heritage of this countryAveley & Newham

Amazing event

A band spokesman commented to 4BR: "This was an amazing event to be part of. Not having had the chance to perform in our own back yard at the Olympics we were privileged to be asked to infiltrate the normally Northern preserve of Rugby League in order to represent the brass banding heritage of this country.

To be performing in front of millions worldwide is a once in a lifetime experience that will be remembered for a long time!"

The band is now looking forward to returning to the contesting arena, working towards the Scottish Open in November.