THE Phoenix Concert Band returns to Ilkley on Saturday, March 18 with a stirring programme of music to welcome the springtime.

St Margaret’s Church will come alive to film music from War Horse and Pirates of the Caribbean, plus the powerful Africa: Ceremony Song and Ritual which sees the band’s dynamic percussion in the spotlight.

The programme also includes Nigel Hess’ suite East Coast Pictures which captures the moods of three contrasting American east coast destinations: Shelter Island, the Catskill Mountains and New York.

More reflective moments are catered for with Rossano Galante’s Cry of the Last Unicorn and Morten Lauridsen’s haunting O Magnum Mysterium, which has become one of the band’s signature pieces.

There will be an array of homemade cake on offer during the interval with all donations going to the Ilkley Candlelighters. The charity is celebrating a landmark 35th year of raising money to support children's cancer services and vital research in the Yorkshire region.

Tickets are available online from https://billetto.co.uk/en/events/springtime-concert the Grove Bookshop and on the door – adults £8, concessions £5 and under 16s free of charge. The concert starts at 7.30pm at St Margaret’s Church, Queen’s Road, Ilkley, LS29 9QL.

The Phoenix Concert Band is a 60-strong wind orchestra with players from Leeds, Ilkley and the wider West Yorkshire area, led by acclaimed Musical Director Keiron Anderson.