Aldbourne warmed up nicely (literally so due to the weather) for their debut appearance at the British Open in a few weeks time with this quintessentially ‘English’ concert in heart of their local village - their third of a busy summer season.

From the outset, guest conductor Adam Cook, who stepped as Glyn Williams was on his way to Canada, led a confident band through a varied audience friendly programme, ably supported by Aldbourne Community Choir and the Sarsen Songmen who performed during the interval.

Regal patriotism

Walton’s ‘Crown Imperial’ opened things with a touch of regal patriotism, followed by the sonorous warmth of the ‘Hebridean Air’ from Malcolm Arnold’s ‘Four Scottish Dances’.

Contrast came with Quincy Jones’ ‘Soul Bossanova’, whilst Pete Grimshaw, depping on principal cornet for the afternoon, gave a splendid account of ‘Tico, Tico’.

It’s not often you get to hear ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ tucked up nicely to ‘Londonderry Air’ and ‘The Floral Dance’ – but having Freddie Mercury leading into Terry Wogan worked a treat, whilst Gordon Langford’s ‘New World Fantasy’ rounded off the first half with a touch of American pizzazz.

It’s not often you get to hear ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ tucked up nicely to ‘Londonderry Air’ and ‘The Floral Dance’ – but having Freddie Mercury leading into Terry Wogan worked a treat, whilst Gordon Langford’s ‘New World Fantasy’ rounded off the first half with a touch of American pizzazz.

Cool touch of Bond

With the sun still beating down, the second half opened with the familiar local march, ‘Underhill House’ (played a a wicked tempo), before a cool touch of Bond - and ‘The James Bond Collection’ led into Rob Marsh’s excellent trombone solo ‘As If We Never Said Goodbye’ from ‘Sunset Boulevard’, and the trio fun of ‘The Blades of Toledo’.

All that was left was that very British tradition of the raffle and the ‘Proms Finale’ of ‘Fantasy on British Sea Songs’, ‘Rule Britannia’, ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ and ‘Jerusalem’ to get the flags waving with patriotic fervour. 

The encores of the ‘Radetzky March’ and ‘Entry of the Gladiators’ rounded a wonderful afternoon off with a touch of communal rhythmic interaction. 

Ashley Jones