The Gala Theatre in Durham, recently played host to one of the north east’s premier brass bands as they celebrated a very special birthday.

Anniversary concert

The Fishburn Band’s 60th anniversary concert, led by MD, Joseph Cook, was supported by Geneva Instruments and featured an wide variety of music that certainly appealed to a packed audience — from the majestic sounds of Ian McElligott’s ‘Prince Bishops’, to the classic brass entertainment of Berlin’s ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’.

There was even a performance of ‘Let it Go’, much to the joy of the many youngsters in the and the chagrin of primary school teachers!

Excellent soloists

Also featured in the evening’s event were excellent solos from John Gill, Clive Parker, Keely Brickle, Hugh Morris, Joanne Behan and Michael Franey, who displayed the high level of talent the band now has at its disposal, before they ended proceedings with ‘Battle of Trafalgar’ with a stirring narration from Joe Cook’s brother Elliott.

Hard work and commitment

The concert also paid homage to the hard work that has been put into achieving the band’s exemplary reputation in the northern area and on the national stage.

Like pages from a history book, each piece was interjected with the band’s proud history, whilst awards were made to John Gill, principal cornet (32 years service), Mal Usher, soprano (30 years), John Youll, second horn (40 years) and Ronnie Bannister, committee member (56 years) — all of whom, the audience was assured, had been signed to a further 60 years as per Joe’s request!

This was a superb concert of great importance to the band, to Durham and to the northern area as a wholeBand spokepserson

Superb concert

A Band spokesperson told 4BR: “This was a superb concert of great importance to the band, to Durham and to the northern area as a whole.

The effort that had been put in by all parties, including the support of Geneva Instruments, was evident as the evening flowed wonderfully throughout and let everyone looking forward to the next major anniversary.”