Burns Night Concert – Saturday 21 st January 2006
The bands opening event of its centenary year saw it travel the short distance to the village of Frieth just outside Lane End.
The concert was billed a tribute to the great Rabbie Burns and the fare was typically Scottish in both music, the spoken word and a traditional meal of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties.
The band opened proceedings in fine style with Kevin Ackfords Crowning Glory and continued to warm the audience up with a selection of old favourites.
The music paused to allow the introduction of some words from Robbie Burns and a rendition of the famous Skye Boat Song, the audience took a while to join in but once encouraged were in full voice.
The first half concluded with the traditional playing in of the Haggis on this occasion by the bands Flugel player Alistair Richards who played 2 verses of the famous tune Highland Cathedral.
Following a traditional three course Scottish Meal the band settled down to a half of pure Scottish traditional music starting with the famous March Holyrood by Kenneth Alford. By now the audience was in fine form with MD Ian having difficulty keeping their boisterousness under control.
Celtic Rock and Alan Fernies Scottish Rhapsody were well received and this wasa followed by some more Rabbie Burns words, the Frieth Fiddlers and a Scottish barbershop quartet.
The band concluded the evening by playing Bruce Fraser’s Scots Wha Hae!!
A hugely successful night was again the result and already plans for another themed night are well under way.
Ian YoungMusical Director
4 th February 2006