Better late than never here is the review, photographs and programme for the Christmas Concert 2019 held on 14th December 2019.

As usual the Verwood Hub was at full capacity for the ever-popular Christmas Concert. First on were the Verwood Training Band lead by Mike Dunnings looking resplendent in his Christmas waistcoat. Amongst their pieces was a great alternative version of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and they closed with one of the nation’s favourite Christmas pop tunes, Slade’s “Merry Christmas Everybody”.

They were followed by the Acorns new starter group under Bill Ferrier. The ten Acorns played a brilliant selection of Christmas tunes arranged by Bill to the delight of the audience.

Verwood Concert Brass Band’s first half performance included a couple of Christmas classic of “Walking in the Air” and “White Christmas” but also included a brilliant solo euphonium performance by Ian Harris playing “O Holy Night”. The set closed with a rendition of “Jingle Bells” but not before conductor, Kevin Smith, had invited Verwood Training Band percussionist, Michael Perry and one of the Acorns on to the stage to accompany the band by play some actual jingle bells, being ably assisted by Archie Musselwhite from the band.

Verwood Town band opened the second half with another well know Christmas pop tune “Stop The Cavalry”. Conductor, Emma Button got the audience involved on two occasions. Firstly, by encouraging them to sing along to the traditional carol “Angels From the Realms of Glory” but then closed with “Schneewalzer” which involved swaying from side to side and standing up by both the band and the audience. All great festive fun!

Verwood Concert Brass Band’s second set included a fabulous trombone trio performance of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” by Emma Button, Bill Ferrier and Michael White. The audience also got involved with some traditional carol singing with “O Come, All Ye Faithful” but that was after they had warmed up with singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas” with band members Will Cainen and Ian Harris attempting to guide the audience by holding up pictures of what ‘my true love gave to me’. Again, all great festive fun.

As well as a small group playing carols to welcome people as they arrived for the concert, carols were also played in the Hub foyer as the audience left to wish them all a very merry Christmas.

As a footnote we announced in our concert programme that Verwood Concert Brass’ chosen charity to share this year’s carol playing collections with would be Bloodwise because of its relevance to Pam Reeks, our Verwood Concert Brass President, who passed away last year.

We are delighted to report that though the donations made at the concert but also through lots of carol playing at Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s and Tesco supermarkets and other venues which you may have seen and heard us at, we raised over £3,000. Thank you to all who contributed.

2019 has been a great year for Verwood Concert Brass and we look forward to another great year in 2020. We would like to thank all of our helpers, sponsors, supporters and audience goers and wish you all a happy and peaceful New Year.

Please Click here to see more photographs of our Christmas Concert