ILKLEY Wharfedale Rotary Club raised £1,800 from their sell-out “ Midsummer Brass” concert at Christchurch, in Ilkley, last Friday (July 7th) in aid of Alzheimer’s Research and End Polio Now.

The City of Bradford Brass Band entertained a capacity audience with a varied programme for the Rotary Club’s 7th annual charity concert but with all tickets sold almost a week before, some 30 would-be concert goers were left without seats.

The band were delighted to be playing to a full house and Musical Director Lee Skipsey amused his appreciative audience when he explained how he had arrived slightly later than usual for a concert having been besieged in the car park by fans hoping he could get them a seat.

Sarah Harrison, of Harrison Robinson Estate Agents in Ben Rhydding, who sponsored the event, said: “Brass bands have always been popular in Yorkshire and we were so pleased to support such a popular event which raised so much money for such worthwhile charities.”

Rotarian spokesman Chris Jones, who organised the event said: “We were quite overwhelmed this year with demand for tickets. Perhaps it has something to do with the band qualifying for the very first time for the National Brass Band Championships coming up in London in October. We know already of at least four people who have booked their tickets to support the band on the basis of Friday’s concert.”

Band Enthrals with Sell Out Concert

Review: Midsummer Brass at Christchurch, Ilkley by Christine Jones

The City of Bradford Brass Band put together a fabulous programme for Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club’s annual “Midsummer Brass” concert at Christchurch, Ilkley, last Friday. Expansive classical works, interspersed with jazz and ragtime and tender passages to set the skin tingling, delighted the sell-out audience.

This band has no trouble leaving its audience completely wrung out emotionally. They are playful and have fun, impressive on the big pieces, and sensitive in their treatment of the simpler, more gentle moments.

After a patriotic opening, came the Lament from Stabat Mater by Karl Jenkins, beautifully played by Euphonium soloist Jolyon Stead, then back to one of the ‘big pieces’, the Finale of Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony, which Musical Director Lee Skipsey confided to be one of his favourites.

A simple but beautiful Abide With Me, followed, then we were into the ragtime of “That’s a Plenty”.

And so it went on, O Magnum Mysterium, Shine as the Light and Seal Lullaby taking us to Tuxedo Junction featuring tremendous work by the cornet section. A very solemn section followed with the hauntingly beautiful, and one of the most requested hymns, The Day thou Gavest. Then the trombone section gave a virtuoso display on New York, New York, leading us to the magnificent Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral from Wagner’s Lohengrin to end.

We were treated to a wonderful Vitae Lux after a standing ovation. With the whole concert enlivened by musical director Lee Skipsey’s humourous anecdotes and introductions, it was altogether a superb evening, raising £1800 for Alzheimer’s Research UK and End Polio Now.