Capricornia Silver Band Xmas Festival Concert

Saturday 6 December
St Pauls Cathedral
Rockhampton

The Capricornia Silver Band Academy (youth band) playing prelude music outside the Cathedral before the concert

Those who have been thrilled by previous performances of the Capricornia Silver Band, came to enjoy the sounds of Christmas with great anticipation.  They were not disappointed.

Gathered in St Paul’s Cathedral – a venue which gives a rich ambience to such an occasion, the band continues the ancient tradition of bringing arts into our cathedrals.

A Christmas Festival medley was a strong stirring start to the evening, accompanied by Fire in the Sky adding its own booming colour.

The audience was treated to reflective music such as A Coventry Carol and Away in a Manger interspersed with bright exultant tunes like Gaudete! and Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

Finding the best arrangements can be challenging, but we were treated to exciting musical scores which provided an interesting tapestry covering almost every known carol and more. The programmers are to be congratulated on their selection.
 
Amanda O’Brien and Riley Griffin thrilled us with their beautifully expressive singing, and while the handheld microphones made it difficult to see their whole face so that the words were not always clear, their rich talent and obvious joy and love of the music shone through with the wonderful sound.

John Evenhuis’ reading of A Visitor for Christmas provided a change of pace and a timely reminder that we may encounter Christ when we respond to the needs of others.

The Theme & Variations of Adeste Fidelis was a highlight. The mood moved from sweet to dramatic biblical movie proportions, to sad and mournful tones, finishing with a lively canon - previewing Christ’s death and resurrection.

Other highlights include A Christmas Bolero with its clash of styles and the Caribbean Christmas, vibrant and exciting in style.  The jazz style of Sleigh Ride kept our toes tapping.

Full marks to the Capricornia Silver Band, Dennis Ilott, Amanda, Riley, instrumental soloists, the composers, arrangers, and the Compere and Dean of the Cathedral, Chris Whittall.  The audience appreciated it all – sorry the cathedral was not full to bursting.  We missed you, Helene Jones but know you were there in spirit.

Olga Harris

^back to top