Sunday 31st August 2009 Doncaster.

The South Yorkshire Police Band finished its summer season with a concert at Brodsworth Hall, Doncaster. This idyllic English Heritage property surrounded by fantastic gardens and countryside was a fine ending to summer.
Directed by Leigh Baker and playing to an audience of 300 the band played:
 
Contest March – Senator
Live and Let Die – Soprano Cornet Solo
Pastime with Good Company
Bohemian Rhapsody
Aire Varie – Rule Britannia – Euphonium solo
Fantasy on British Marches
Jerusalem
---Interval---
Saints
Georgia On My Mind
Appalachian Mountain Song Suite
Blaze Away March
Wandrin’ Star (Bass trombone solo)
Oklahoma
American Trilogy
Encore – One Voice
 
The band continued its Anglo American themed concert format. Despite windy weather, Soprano cornet Wendy Hart played a confident solo arranged by Ray Farr.  Principal euphonium Vicky Whelan flew around this tricky patriotic solo in fine style. After a short interval, the band migrated west to its American themed programme and started the 2nd half of the concert.
 “Saints” is an effective and descriptive arrangement by our conductor Leigh Baker. The band started in a sombre style as principal players formed an off stage New Orleans style funeral procession. The band swiftly broke into update variations of “when the saints come marching in”. At one point the whole band gives up brass and starts singing, however our colleagues in the South Yorkshire Police choir have nothing to fear.
Principal Cornet Sam Fisher abandoned music and performed “Georgia On my Mind” flawlessly to an audience in awe.
Our Corps of Drums led by Andy Grantham demonstrated their drum solo Black Bear as a prelude to the famous March Blaze Away.
Michael Hunter, the bands lofty Bass trombone player growled through the paint your wagon classic despite ever worsening weather.
The effect of an Elvis tune on the weather should not be under estimated, American Trilogy saw heavy rain make music and audience rather soggy. However the band played on and our loyal audience stayed with us.
Barry Manalow and Brodsworth appears an unlikely match but One Voice ended the concert with hearty applause from the audience
 
The Band is now preparing for another compact disc recording in October and the Bolsover entertainment contest.