The inaugural West Mercia Constabulary Music Festival took place on Sunday 24th February at Hindlip Hall Police Headquarters in Worcester.

Success

The event for non contesting bands was great success and a valuable experience musical and socially for all concerned.

The festival commenced at 12:00pm with a welcome to all the attending bands from West Mercia Constabulary Band chairman Eddie Barry and musical advisor Steve Pritchard-Jones.

Cleobury

Following the opening address the first band, Cleobury Mortimer Concert Brass took to the stage. As with all the bands they played a good and varied selection of pieces including, 'Cachucha', and 'All that Jazz' and finished with 'Bandstand Boogie'.

The event for non contesting bands was great success and a valuable experience musical and socially for all concernedOrganisers

Royal Spa

The second band of the day was Royal Spa Brass. They opened with 'Parade of the Charioteers' and featured other pieces such as 'A Disney Fantasy' and finished with 'Backdraft'.

West Mercia

Following Royal Spa hosts the Band of West Mercia Constabulary under the direction of Steve Pritchard-Jones took to the stage. The band opened with the march 'The Champions' and then featured two soloists, PC Richard Waterhouse on euphonium playing 'Rhapsody for Euphonium' and principal cornet Martin Musto who performed 'Carrickfurgus'.

Other items included 'Londonderry Air', 'Ravenswood' and 'The Pirates of the Caribbean' and concluded with 'Toccata from Symphonic Suite for Brass Band' by Leighton Lucas.

Gloucester Constabulary

After West Mercia the Band of the Gloucestershire Constabulary under the direction of Sue Mills performed a varied programme that included a lovely arrangement of 'She moves through the Fair' arranged by Matt Kingston. They also featured horn player Clive Miles with "Lark in the Clear Air" and finished with 'Superman'.

Joined forces

The last two bands were Sabrina and Stiperstones band and Burbage Silver Band.

Due to illness and other commitments in both Sabrina and Stiperstones bands, they decided rather than not attend the event they would get together to form a band. They played some classic concert pieces such as 'The Magnificent 7', 'Where Eagles Dare' and finished with 'Old English Dances'.

Burbage finished the individual band performances and included a couple of solo items 'Share my Yoke' and 'Buster Strikes back' finishing with 'Fanfare and Soliloquy'.

After a short presentation of Certificates of Attendance the bands for a massed band performance for 'Punchinello', 'The Home Guard', 'Westward Ho' and 'Slaidburn' which were conducted by Steve Pritchard-Jones.

Written appraisal

Each band was given a written appraisal of their performance by Steve and he will also attend a rehearsal to offer help and advice.

The organising committee of Dai Francis (Band Secretary), Eddie Barry (Band Chairman , Martin Musto (Principal Cornet) and Steve Pritchard-Jones (Musical Adviser) hope that the event will be repeated in the future.